Good morning and welcome to this week’s Friday Brief.
We’re excited to announce that submissions for the 2017 edition of the Technology Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge, the Manufacturing Technologies Association’s (MTA) flagship schools competition for young engineers, are now open. It’s a great opportunity for students of Design and Technology to show off just how good they’re ideas can be and an opportunity to turn them on to manufacturing. See below for more details.
Engineering sector losing millions by failing to protect IP like the creative industries do, MTA survey shows. Engineering and manufacturing companies are being urged exploit the untapped value in their intellectual property to avoid losing money on lost designs, systems and patents, and create new revenues. Find out more about the MTA’s research below and download the executive summary for more information.
We would like to thank those members who contributed to our survey which picked up some of the questions raised in the Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper. Please see below for the highlights of the results which will feed into other work we are doing to prepare our response to the Green Paper.
Just a reminder the MTA has partnered with the EEF, to deliver a webinar on Tuesday 4th April to help raise awareness on the changes the Government is making to the way it funds apprenticeships. The changes coming in are massive and this is a really good opportunity to make sure you’re your company is prepared. Register for this event for free here https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/393140659405123329.
Staying with events, our Spring Economic Update of the MTA Forecast for the UK Machine Tool and Cutting Tool markets will be available in the next couple of weeks and we will hold an Economic Update session on Thursday 27th April; this will at the AMTC in Coventry, see below for more details.
The MTA has been working with Rough House Media to put together a training course on media handling and crisis communications. This intensive, day long, training course will give you the tools, techniques, practice and confidence to handle all types of interview with the media. It is aimed at senior spokespeople and experts who may be expected to give both print and broadcast interviews.
Medical AMRC tested the boundaries of new 3D printer to create a demonstration model for Sheffield surgeon. Engineers from the University of Sheffield Medical Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (ARMC) have used a new 3D printer to create a model of a human labyrinth, or the inner ear which deals with hearing and balance.
Also, at the AMRC a £1 million-plus project to develop “smart” composite leading edges for aircraft wings with embedded heaters to protect the wings against ice build-up, while reducing weight and boosting efficiency compared to existing systems, has concluded successfully after crucial wind tunnel tests.
Ecology and economy when sawing and storing material will be the themes of an open house to be held by Kasto at its UK headquarters and showroom from 16th to 18th May 2017. People interested in attending should telephone Ernst Wagner on 07747 802991 or email sales@uk.kasto.com.
There are no major headlines in this week’s economic data, so we have taken the opportunity to look at some data series that don’t normally feature in the Friday Brief; these include figures from the ONS on exports/imports by industry group, some interesting data on the location of industries and sectors across the UK and figures on R&D spending. The Economic Sentiment Indicator published by the European Commission remained flat at a good, but not spectacular, level in March and we can also announce the release of the latest edition of CECIMO Statistical Toolbox.
That’s all for this week, we’ll be back next Friday for more industry news.
