Good morning and happy New Year, welcome to the first Friday Brief of 2016.
We’re heading straight in to a busy MACH year, but before we get to the NEC in April we have the other big event in the MTA calendar to enjoy first. The MTA Annual Dinner is just 3 weeks away and there is still chance to get your table booked email events@mta.org.uk for details. See the below story for information on dress code, accommodation, transport, timings and location.
Ian Skeels joined the MTA in late December 2015 as Technical Manager, initially to work alongside Richard Griffiths in the run up to Richard’s retirement later this year. Ensuring continuity in this vital position and the maintenance of the high standards or technical support for members that Richard has provided is a major priority for the Association.
Strengthening the UK’s manufacturing supply chains is recognised as being key to the country’s economic vitality and a really important part of the opportunity that we have to drive manufacturing growth in the UK. Therefore we are very excited to be able to invite MTA member companies to participate in a new initiative aimed at boosting supply chain capability.
UKTI are organising a trade mission to three countries in Central and Eastern Europe on 7-11 March. As one of the strands is “advanced manufacturing” in Poland and Hungary, it will be of interest to MTA members. The other country being taken in on this trip is the Czech Republic, to register your interest please email megamission2016@ukti-events.co.uk.
A new initiative METALS - Machine Tool Alliance for Skills is being set in motion by CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries. METALS aims at providing machine tool builders with the sought-after applied skills they need in line with disruptive technologies in the advanced manufacturing sector. More details on this initiative can be found within the Brief.
The EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Ultra Precision has announced details of the events that they have planned for 2016 and details of how to book.
Our latest Business Survey has added significance, so we would encourage all members to participate in the survey. You can access the on-line form at http://www.mta.org.uk/mta-business-survey-dec15.
Although there was some significant UK economic news just before the Christmas break, the main thread this week is the manufacturing PMI numbers from the start of the week. Some more poor numbers in China appears to have spooked their stock market but, generally, the other news is not too bad. The Euro-zone has seen an acceleration in activity and, apart from China, the Asian numbers were better than for some time (with the other exception of India which was weather affected). The UK saw a slight fall in its’ PMI reading, but the remained in positive territory for the 33rd consecutive month and above its long-run average level.