Group NEWS Group Members’ Magazine
Brexit proof
your business
Issue 6 / Summer 2018
Opportunity knocks for automation Why a shortage of seasonal EU workers could kickstart a robotics revolution in the food and drink industry
Tom Brake MP on what Brexit means for British manufacturers
Members’ Magazine
THE BREXIT ISSUE Summer 2018 / Issue 6 3
View from the top Tom Brake MP explains why trade is all about location. Plus, the PPMA’s CEO, Dr Andrew Mint, on why now is the time for action.
4-5 Business
intelligence
With the clock ticking until Britain exits the EU, what are the implications for UK manufacturers? What do our continental cousins think of our decision to leave? And could Brexit actually bring fresh opportunities to our shores?
6-7 Success
stories
How automation is helping UK food businesses prepare for the post-Brexit EU labour shortage. And why one company is treating Brexit as an opportunity to strengthen ties with its European partners.
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Linked up Tips and opinions from PPMA members.
8-9 Industry
events
A successful second outing for the UKIVA Machine Vision Conference, plus all the essential dates for your diary over the next 12 months.
10 Seminars,
training and networking
Join our next Chairman’s Lunch, plus details of digital marketing, sales and other training events.
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Editorial Editor Kate O’Reilly +44 (0)7894 039609
kate.oreilly@ppma.co.uk Managing Editor Kirsty Sharpe +44 (0)1920 821873
kirsty.sharpe@glohouse.co.uk Editorial Assistant Lucy Benbow +44 (0)7971 987761
lucy.benbow@glohouse.co.uk
2018 editorial schedule To contribute to any of our forthcoming issues, contact our editorial team via the details above. Autumn The packaging innovations issue (copy deadline 27 July) Winter The efficiency issue (copy deadline 19 October)
PPMA Show 2018 preview What’s in store for the 30th anniversary of the UK’s leading processing and packaging machinery event?
12-13
Member benefits PPMA Group partner TÜV SÜD explains how machinery safety could be impacted after Brexit. Plus, the latest news from PPMA BEST.
14-15 New
members
Meet the newest additions to the PPMA family.
15
Get in touch Contact the PPMA team.
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www.ppma.co.uk
© 2018 PPMA Ltd The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the PPMA Group of Associations.
Time for answers
View from the top
By Andrew Mint, Chief Executive Officer of the PPMA Group Brexit has created – and will continue to create – many business challenges. This situation is not helped by the lack of clarity from government, with still far too many questions remaining unanswered. Whilst we now know the timeline for some of the key milestones, exactly how trade will operate going forward is still unclear. Two of the key issues are tariffs and free movement of goods. Additional tariffs are not helpful for UK businesses, but I believe that the free movement of goods – allowing us to ship equipment to accommodate the ‘just in time’ manufacturing that is now commonplace – is even more important. As we navigate closer towards our exit from the European Union, we will endeavour to keep our members up to date with any developments that impact our business area. We will also use our membership of other associations to give us access and a voice to central government, should future issues arise which could impact our industry. And finally, we look forward to hearing the views of Lord Mark Price, Former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, during his keynote speech at the PPMA Show 2018 (see p11 for more details). The former Managing Director of Waitrose and Deputy Chairman of The John Lewis Partnership has stated his optimism for a post-Brexit Britain, despite voting to remain in the EU.
www.ppmashow.co.uk
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Location, location, location By The Rt Hon Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Exiting the European Union and International Trade When it comes to manufacturing, there is a basic concept that even the most ardent supporters of leaving the EU cannot skilfully spin away – geography matters. Irrespective of their desire to distance themselves from the EU, it is a fact that our border will remain only 20.7 miles from Calais. It will continue to be quicker, simpler and more profitable to trade with France and the rest of the EU than with countries on the other side of the world. I apologise for stating the obvious, but over the last few years I have heard too many people forget or even disregard simple facts such as 47 per cent of our exported goods and 55 per cent of our imported goods are currently traded with the EU. As we speak, uncertainty over the UK’s relationship with the EU post-Brexit prevails and is already impacting our economy. The UK’s economic growth is one of the slowest of the G7 nations and we know from the Government’s economic reports that areas like Sunderland, Derby, Coventry and County Durham will be hardest hit in a ‘no deal’ scenario. My assessment draws a rather gloomy picture of Britain’s economic future outside the EU. But we must of course look for the positives.
The British manufacturing sector has a proud history as a source of economic growth and prosperity. It is confidenceinspiring that the Government’s Industrial Strategy seeks to maintain this tradition by promoting medium-high tech manufacturing sectors. An effective Industrial Strategy, combined with a well resourced Department for International Trade, could see UK exports maintained to the EU and expanded outside the EU. However, the Government’s own impact analyses confirm manufacturers will be better off if the UK remains a member of the Single Market and the Customs Union. That’s why the Liberal Democrats will continue to put our country’s economic interests first, pushing for an ‘Exit for Brexit’ and if that fails, backing membership of the Customs Union and the EEA.
www.tombrake.co.uk
Deal or no deal? business intelligence It’s been more than two years since the UK voted to leave the EU on 23 June 2016, yet the future is still uncertain. We may now have more detail over the Brexit timeline – negotiations must be completed by 31 October 2019, before we enter a transitional Brexit period on 29 March 2019 and a new political relationship between the UK and the EU officially begins on 31 December 2020 – but just how it will affect our manufacturing, engineering and automation industries is unclear. With no certainty yet over trade tariffs, freedom of movement for workers, or safety legislation, what could be the impact for British manufacturers?
“Businesses should consider other ways through which they can improve the efficiency of their supply chain, such as by embracing new technologies and automating processes. In the end, businesses that fail to plan ahead and use this opportunity to reduce costs in their supply chain may not survive post-Brexit.” John Glen, Economist, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)
Fresh pickings
Rising costs
99
1/3
(National Farmers’ Union)
(CIPS)
0.6
60
Percentage of seasonal workers on fruit and vegetable farms that come from Eastern Europe
Percentage of seasonal workers on fruit and vegetable farms that come from Britain (National Farmers’ Union)
29
Percentage of vacancies on fruit and vegetable farms left unfilled during the harvest month of September 2017 (National Farmers’ Union)
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Proportion of UK businesses with EU suppliers that have increased their prices as a result of Brexit
Percentage of UK businesses with EU suppliers whose supply chains are now more expensive due to currency fluctuations following the Brexit vote (CIPS)
£4.5bn
Estimated cost in tariffs of a no-deal Brexit to the motor industry (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders)
Get export ready Whether the UK ends up with a hard or soft Brexit, the Department for International Trade (DIT) can help your business achieve its exporting aims. Get exporting guidance, whatever your experience level, at
w ww.great.gov.uk
Employment threat
European perceptions
Seizing the opportunity
1/5
42
1/3
(CIPS)
(CIPS)
(CIPS)
1/4
11
46
(CIPS)
(CIPS)
9
42
Proportion of manufacturing firms planning to lay off workers to cope with the costs of Brexit
Almost a quarter of UK business with EU suppliers are having difficulty securing contracts which run after March 2019
Percentage of UK manufacturers who have lost contracts because of the Brexit vote (CIPS)
Percentage of EU supply chain managers who do not think British products ‘stand out from the crowd’
Percentage of EU companies who have moved some of their workforce out of the UK since the Brexit vote
Percentage of European respondents who favour a hard line Brexit (Dalia research for the University of Zurich)
A third of UK supply chain managers with EU suppliers are now looking for alternative suppliers inside the UK
Percentage of SMEs who want the government to focus on support for UK exporters looking to expand outside the EU (PwC My Financepartner)
£90m
Amount government has earmarked for a ‘Transforming Food Production’ programme, to harness AI and robotics in the agri-food industry (www.gov.uk)
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Automation softens Brexit impact for seasonal produce packers This PPMA Group member sees Brexit as a golden opportunity to increase UK automation levels
success stories
At a glance Challenge: How to soften the impact of reduced numbers of seasonal EU workers coming to the UK since the Brexit vote Solution: Integrate high speed automated case loading systems onto fresh produce lines Outcome: Improved productivity, increased economic output and reduced reliance on seasonal EU labour
Brillopak’s P160 loads soft fruit punnets into crates individually at speeds of 100 packs p/m
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Between May to September each year, more than 28,000 EU workers come to the UK to harvest, process, grade and pack soft fruit alone. To a large extent, packing fresh produce into cases remains a manual task and with a hard Brexit on the horizon, this over-dependence on seasonal EU labour could create a potential crisis for UK farmers and fresh produce, soft fruit and meat packhouses. In fact, a recent NFU labour study found that an average of 12.5 per cent of vacancies on fruit and vegetable farms across Britain went unfilled in 2017, the first time there has been a shortfall since the survey began in 2014. This increased to 29 per cent during the crucial harvest month of September.
Affordable automation
Fortunately, there is a solution. Automated case loading can help to counteract the loss of EU seasonal labour and curb rising costs. According to David Jahn, Director of Brillopak, a British manufacturer of flexible robotic packing and palletising systems, integrating high speed technology onto a packing line makes automation financially viable, even for seasonal and SME packhouses. “Improving packing productivity and economic output per hour will be central to boosting efficiency and offsetting fresh produce price rises,” he explains. “With packhouses grappling with an imminent EU labour crisis, combined with rising minimum wages, many processors are seriously exploring automated case loading systems.”
To extend seasonal packing windows, the P160 can switch to handle soft fruits, top fruits, root vegetables and meat products
Brillopak’s new Unipick P160 high speed case and crate packer is specifically designed to handle tray seal punnets, flow wrap and vertical form fill seal products, including soft fruits, top fruits, root vegetables and packaged meat products. Averaging over 100 packs per minute and with a reach of 1,130mm, two three-axis robot spider arms individually place each pack into a retail crate. This gentle handling helps to prevent bruising and damage.
Flexible and efficient
The system incorporates two Omron three-arm Delta robots, both with quick release end-of-arm robot heads for different product types. These enable packhouses to extend their traditional seasonal work windows to year-round packing operations and flex quickly to multiple product types and sizes, resulting in a quicker return on investment. It can also be integrated with a Brillopak crate destacker and palletiser for increased efficiency. Depending on the application, ROI for the P160 can be between one and three years. “By delivering consistent presentation on all types of punnets, flow wrap and vertical form fill seal products, packhouses can seek out and exploit new business opportunities. With freedom of movement due to end in Spring 2019, most should be able to see payback by the time the UK leaves the EU,” ends David. www.brillopak.co.uk
Do Brexit Euro-wn way! How one company is tackling Brexit head-on and removing uncertainty from its business model The shadow of Brexit has plunged many British businesses into a time of doubt, but Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) view it as an opportunity, not a threat. Since the company began in the 1970s, its business model has centred on the importation of shrink wrapping machines from leading manufacturers in the Eurozone – Italy, Germany and Spain – for supply to the UK market. YPS has used the period leading up to Brexit to strengthen relationships with these key European suppliers by opening up more channels of communication, which has fostered a greater spirit of co-operation and mutual agreement. This has stabilised YPS’s market position and ensured that they can continue to work with their suppliers long into the future, regardless of a hard or soft Brexit. YPS have used Brexit as an opportunity to strengthen existing relationships Above: YPS’ Managing Director, Glyn Johnson
Customer connection
Meetings arranged to look at pricing structures have proved opportune moments to open up dialogues with customers. In some cases, these candid conversations have secured the extension of contracts. “This period of renegotiation has been challenging but the silver lining has been a chance to reconnect with the people at the core of YPS – our customers,” says Glyn Johnson, Managing Director. “Furthermore, as we have UK exclusivity rights with several of our suppliers, they have recognised that they need us as much as we need them.” Whatever path Brexit takes Britain down next year, YPS are confident that they can weather the storm. “We are no strangers to adversity, having survived a major disaster in the 1980s when our largest single customer at the time went into administration and left behind a substantial bad debt,” reveals Glyn. “In 2008, the economic downturn again left us feeling the pinch but complete faith in our brand, astute directorship and overall
Linked Up Opportunity knocks post-Brexit By Mark Gray, UK Sales Manager for Universal Robots The UK employs a lot of temporary labour, for simple tasks such as packing and picking. As a result of the Brexit vote we are in danger of losing this workforce, so many firms are now looking for a back-up strategy. Over the last nine months, I’ve noticed more companies setting aside a budget for automation and looking at employing robotics to automate simple tasks. Although the UK has been slow to adopt robotics, our approach to automation is changing; had we not been facing Brexit, I believe it would have been at a slower rate. That’s not to say humans will become obsolete. If we can make our products better and less expensive, we’ll win an increased market share and be more profitable, which will in turn lead to more jobs. The opportunity afforded by Brexit is also helping to dispel some of the other myths surrounding robots. One of our strategies, when we market to companies affected by Brexit, is that we don’t supply huge pieces of capital equipment that need a qualified individual in order to be programmed and maintained. Our devices can be implemented very quickly, are flexible and work on simple software. They also have a short payback, typically just nine months.
www.universal-robots.com
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At a glance Challenge: How to sustain a successful business during a time of political uncertainty Solution: Take Brexit into your own hands and start early dialogue with customers and suppliers Outcome: Contract extensions agreed and long term European partnerships secured resilience has steered us towards success on several occasions. Our focus has always been on planning for growth and acceleration, of course with a sensible degree of caution, and our approach to Brexit will be no different.” Glyn concludes: “The overall message that YPS offers to any UK business anxiously awaiting Brexit is to make the situation work for you and your business model. Don’t let Brexit break you!”
www.yps.co.uk
Agility 4.0 to help keep Britain competitive By Marc Aury, President and Managing Director of Gebo Cermex While there has been much speculation on the consequences of Brexit, what is certain is that many UK companies will continue to seek ways to optimise production, raise their competitiveness and ultimately protect their business. We have been working to implement new tools, such as digital data exchange and advanced robotics, to drive the transformation of manufacturing models and help companies optimise their competitive advantages. Our Agility 4.0™ programme enables producers to manufacture small production batches at cost levels typically associated with mass production, without compromising on key performance criteria. It encompasses smart machines, system and data intelligence, digital connectivity and powerful simulation tools, all within a philosophy of sustainable production. One of the key aspects of the Agility 4.0 programme is the use of high precision simulation and modelling tools, particularly useful in the commissioning phase. Our Virtual Commissioning project can dramatically decrease the time and costs involved, while anticipating the challenges the equipment might face when installed in the actual production environment. For British manufacturers looking to reduce their total cost of ownership, Gebo Cermex offers all the benefits of Industry 4.0, from initial virtual design to total mastery of the extended factory, ensuring that – regardless of Brexit – ‘Made in the UK’ can remain a competitive and successful brand.
www.gebocermex.com
Key industry events Forthcoming 4-6 Kenya Manufacturing Expo 2018 jul
Nairobi, Kenya Attracting 3,000 visitors, 80 exhibitors and three country pavilions across 2,500m2, this is where East African manufacturers come to evaluate and purchase new machinery. www.kenyamachineryexpo.com
ProPak China 2018 11-13 jul
Shanghai, China The 24th international processing and packaging exhibition comprises five areas (BevTek, DairyTek, FoodTek, PharmaTek and CosmeticTek) and welcomes 35,000 visitors across 80,000m2 of exhibition space. www.propakchina.com/en
13-15 sept
ProPak Myanmar 2018 Yangon, Myanmar Returning for the fifth time, this is the leading industry trade event for Myanmar’s developing food, drink and pharmaceutical processing and packaging industries. www.propakmyanmar.com
18-20 sept
ProPak West Africa 2018 Lagos, Nigeria The largest packaging, food processing, plastics, labelling and print exhibition in West Africa, which last year featured 135 exhibitors and 3,261 visitors. www.propakwestafrica.com
PPMA Show 2018 25-27 sept
Registration NEC Birmingham now open The UK’s main production line event for processing and packaging machinery. Network with peers, see the latest machinery in action, get inspired at our new Enterprise Zone and of course do business at the 30th anniversary of this industry-leading show. See p11 for full details.
www.ppmashow.co.uk
25 sept
PPMA Group Industry Awards Tickets on Hilton NEC, Birmingham sale now Hosted by Brian Conley and taking place on the first night of the PPMA Show, the PPMA Group Industry Awards bring together over 400 industry professionals and influencers to celebrate excellence across all facets of the processing and packaging sector. Featuring 12 categories, including two new awards, and a three-course gala dinner, this is an event not to be missed.
www.ppmashow.co.uk
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Later on 25-27 Sept 2018
Fachpack 2018 Nuremberg, Germany
www.fachpack.de/en 10-11 Oct 2018
Photonex Europe 2018 Ricoh Arena, Coventry
www.photonex.org 11-14 Oct 2018
Pacprocess Tehran Tehran, Iran
www.pacprocess-tehran.com 14-17 Oct 2018
Pack Expo International 2018 Chicago, USA
www.packexpointernational.com 23-26 Oct 2018
Scanpack 2018 Gothenburg, Sweden
www.scanpack.se 24-26 Oct 2018
Indiapack pacprocess Mumbai, India
www.pacprocess-india.com 6-8 Nov 2018
Vision Stuttgart Germany
www.messe-stuttgart.de/vision/en/ 6-8 Nov 2018
Gulfood Manufacturing 2018 Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
www.gulfoodmanufacturing.com janette.lane@ppma.co.uk
Last chance for PPMA UK pavilion bookings
26-29 Nov 2018
ALL4PACK Paris Paris, France
www.all4pack.com 24-26 Jan 2019
ProPak Philippines Manila, Philippines
www.propakphilippines.com janette.lane@ppma.co.uk
PPMA UK pavilion bookings now being taken
Feature events
From deep learning to real world solutions at Machine Vision Conference The second UKIVA Machine Vision Conference and Exhibition has been hailed a resounding success after attracting hundreds of visitors – significantly up on last year’s figures – with some seminar sessions standing room only. A showcase for the latest vision technologies and services from the world of industrial vision and imaging, the event took place in Milton Keynes on 16 May 2018 and featured two keynote presentations, 54 technical seminars and over 50 specialist exhibitors. The Deep Learning and Embedded Vision seminar theatre attracted the largest audiences across the day. One of the key messages was that while deep and machine learning can make significant improvements in object feature detection and classification, they are not suitable for every application, so careful choices need to be made.
Public perception of automation
Professor Tony Pipe, Deputy Director at Bristol Robotics Laboratory, UWE, gave one of the keynote lectures, discussing the Venturer autonomous car project. While technological issues are crucial, Professor Pipe highlighted the many other aspects to be considered, including human attitudes to driverless cars and overcoming insurance and legislative barriers. The second keynote lecture was presented by Henry Harris-Burland, VP Marketing at Starship Technologies, who discussed the challenges faced by his company in bringing personal delivery robots to market, including the attitude of the public.
Quality visitors
The exhibition also proved popular. While all visitors showed a solid appreciation of vision technology, many were also seeking vision solutions for real applications. As Marcel Krist from Photonfocus observed: “This year delivered a higher
UK expansion at ProPak Philippines Due to demand, extra space has been added to the UK pavilion at ProPak Philippines. Taking place in Manila on 24-26 January 2019, this debut international processing and packaging trade show for the Philippines is the ideal platform from which to access a robust and expanding market in one of Asia’s top growth performing countries over the past 12 months. To join the PPMA UK pavilion, contact
janette.lane@ppma.co.uk www.propakphilippines.com
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DIT grant funding available
quality of visitors to our stand. The visitors were also more knowledgeable, and the discussions we had have been more specific.” Event organiser, Chris Valdes, added: “We’ve had a very positive response from speakers, visitors and exhibitors alike. The Conference was consistently well attended throughout the day, indicating the strength of the programme and emphasising the importance that we place on making this a truly educational event. We attracted visitors from many different industries and featured exhibitors from all over the world, including Canada, France, Germany, China and the US, reflecting the importance of the machine vision market here in the UK.” www.machinevisionconference.co.uk
Final call for Gulfood Manufacturing Returning to the Dubai World Trade Centre on 6-8 November 2018, time is running out to book your stand for Gulfood Manufacturing 2018. Showcasing solutions for the complete spectrum of food and drink manufacturing – from ingredients, processing, packaging and automation, to supply chain and logistics – last year’s event attracted more than 35,000 visitors and 1,600 exhibitors. The PPMA is once again organising the highly successful UK pavilion, so contact Janette Lane today for your booking form. DIT grant
janette.lane@ppma.co.uk www.gulfoodmanufacturing.com
funding available
Seminars, training and networking Forthcoming 5 july
Chairman’s Lunch – Motivating and developing your staff National Railway Museum, York Focused on the theme of staff development, join our renowned Chairman’s Lunch for first class networking opportunities at this historic venue.
19 July
Free for PPMA members
10 July
NEW
Advanced Selling Skills Marriott Hotel, Northampton This one-day training course is designed to help individuals, business owners and sales teams to sell effectively to the right people. Areas covered will include: developing wider influence to persuade the customer; handling objections; increasing closing methods; and much more.
Digital Marketing – Social Media B2B 17 NEW
Marriott Hotel, Manchester This session will explore answers to the question ‘what is digital marketing’, before providing a hands-on look at how to implement a digital marketing strategy in your business. Areas covered will include: social media; search engine ranking; podcasts and streaming; and much more. PPMA member rate £95 +VAT
18 July
Marriott Hotel, Northampton This one-day training workshop will help boost your sales effectiveness, covering: conversation openers, ensuring confidence when presenting price, effective follow-up; and much more. PPMA member rate £95 +VAT
8 aug
9 aug
NIKKEN Innovation Centre Europe, Rotherham This half-day workshop explores mental health and how best to manage it, covering: what promotes good mental health; what increases the risk to our mental health; the new mental health core and enhanced standards; interventions, tools and resources; and much more.
Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, Birmingham This practical course offers tools and techniques to those who have never been trained in running a project, are working in a project support office, or are new to the role of project manager.
PPMA Safety Driving Day Heyford Park, Oxon Our safety and awareness driving day, brought to you by Ultimate Car Control, is both educational and fun. Free for PPMA members
30 aug
Wellbeing Event
Project Management
PPMA member rate £95 +VAT
PPMA member rate £95 +VAT
july
Effective Sales Skills for Non-Sales People
PPMA Golf Day The Oxfordshire, Milton Common, Oxon The perfect opportunity for members to entertain clients and take part in a thoroughly enjoyable day of 27 holes of golf and four competitions, at one of the most exciting courses in the country. Including a 9-hole Texas Scramble competition, 18-hole Stableford competition, light lunch, plus a three-course evening meal, the day concludes with a trophy presentation. £520 per 4-player team or £135 per person +VAT
Take part in Machinery Update’s PPMA Show Preview By Gail Hunt, Editor of Machinery Update The September/October issue of Machinery Update will be dominated by the PPMA Show 2018 Preview and so if you are exhibiting at the NEC in September, you must be part of it. You need to ensure visitors have your name on their stands to visit list, so let us have details of what you are showing, with a photograph, and we will include it, free of charge. Of course, if you are not exhibiting, you still need to be in this 100-plus page issue as it is distributed
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throughout the three days at the show, as well as to our normal list of readers. This issue will also include a feature on meat, fish and other proteins as well as our regular sections, so get in touch if you have a query on suitability. Get your details over to us by Friday 10 August at the latest, but earlier if you want a spot nearer the front!
publishing@ppma.co.uk
NEW for 2018
Featuring: • Live workshops • Presentations • Interactive discussions • Q&A sessions • Panel debate • Networking areas • Free helpdesk and advice service for start-ups and entrepreneurs • British Plastics Federation
PPMA Show 2018 Preview
Countdown begins to the UK’s leading processing and packaging machinery event Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the PPMA Show will return to the NEC Birmingham from 25-27 September 2018 to showcase the latest innovations in smart manufacturing, processing technology and packaging machinery. New this year will be the Enterprise Zone, offering visitors a focal point for learning, networking, discovery and live debate. Presenting the biggest and most comprehensive line-up of production technologies and solutions for the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, toiletries and FMCG sectors, visitors will see 350 exhibitors representing 1,500
brands, creating an unrivalled platform to connect, engage and network with suppliers and industry peers.
Experience and expertise Dr Andrew Mint, Chief Executive Officer, PPMA Group of Associations, comments: “Our 30th anniversary show comes at a time when UK manufacturing is enjoying its longest period of expansion since 1968 and these positive signs will undoubtedly boost confidence throughout our sector. The PPMA Show 2018 looks set to be one of the biggest and best to date, where visitors can benefit from
Join us at the PPMA Group Industry Awards 2018 Celebrating industry excellence and recognising innovation and smart manufacturing, the prestigious PPMA Group Industry Awards ceremony and three-course gala dinner will move to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the NEC. Taking place on the evening of 25 September, this key networking event will be hosted by TV presenter and comedian Brian Conley. To book your place, go to
https://bit.ly/2labm5m
Presentations include: • Keynote address by Lord Mark Price, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, former Managing Director of Waitrose and Deputy Chairman of The John Lewis Partnership • ‘The Future of Food Manufacturing’, hosted by Craig Leadley, Campden BRI • Case studies offering real world examples of manufacturing best practice and excellence in processing and packaging production
an unsurpassed skill set of experience, expertise and industry knowledge and witness the latest processing and packaging technologies in real-time demonstrations.” Dr Mint continues: “Having consulted with exhibitors and show visitors, we know that there is still a tremendous appetite to seek out new innovations, technologies and solutions and to discover the unexpected. We therefore look forward to opening the doors of the PPMA Show 2018 and celebrating its milestone anniversary with some of the biggest and brightest manufacturing leaders.” www.ppmashow.co.uk
FREE visitor registration To register for your FREE visitor badge, go to
www.ppmashow.co.uk
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Impact of Brexit on product safety and certification
Nurturing the BEST new talent By Danny Reed, Education & Skills Manager, PPMA BEST
Member benefits By Paul Taylor, Head of Industrial Products (UK) at TÜV SÜD Product Service, a global product testing and certification organisation. The UK’s vote to leave the European Union has brought about a period of uncertainty for businesses in Britain, Europe and around the world, and the clock is ticking for companies to minimise their risks. This must of course begin with a confident understanding of how Brexit will affect product safety and certification for products sold within, imported from, and exported to the EU. All UK Notified Bodies and EU Notified Bodies will also be impacted beyond exit. Given that negotiations are still underway, conclusive advice cannot yet be given. As transitional arrangements between the UK and EU are being established, we will identify an appropriate certification strategy for each of our customers individually. Our intention is to provide continuous product-to-market support, via a zero impact service arrangement. However, we do expect the outcome to include transitional and long term Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) covering a range of matters related to product safety and certification. And, post-exit from the EU, the UK will operate a separate regulatory regime just like the rest of the world. Currently, existing EU certificates in the UK will remain valid as the status of EU Notified Bodies (such as TÜV SÜD) remains unchanged. All relevant
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certificates for EU Directives, such as Radio Equipment, issued by TÜV SÜD globally will also remain valid beyond Brexit. At present, it is a requirement for a Notified Body certifying against EU standards to be based in an EU or EFTA member country. Post-Brexit, this could impact some Notified Bodies that are only based in the UK, but this is yet to be confirmed as negotiations are still underway. Likewise, manufacturers should consider whether their existing Notified Bodies, based in the EU-27, will have the legal capacity to meet future UK certification requirements beyond Brexit.
Find out more As the outcome of Brexit is still uncertain, preparation for all eventualities is of the utmost importance. We will be covering this topic during our annual Customer Day on 12 July, where there will be an opportunity to put questions to our experts. www.tuv-sud.co.uk/customer-day
Get in touch TÜV SÜD Product Service is a partner of the PPMA Group. The Association has partnerships with various service providers, covering insurance, H&S and employment law, recruitment, training, litigation, technical advice, R&D tax refunds and driver training. To access any of these services at a preferential PPMA member rate, contact
membership@ppma.co.uk
PPMA BEST supports young people looking to explore and enter a career in the processing, packaging, machine vision, robotics and automation industries, providing a range of activities to engage and inspire them. In the 2017/18 academic year, we have taken our message to an even wider range of young people than ever before, running four STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) days and engaging with more than 500 students. This number is set to rise to over 800 by the end of this academic year. In the forthcoming academic year, we will be running many more STEM days in partnership with our members, as well as repeating our successful event at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry on 12 November 2018. We will also be introducing new initiatives to help our members engage with young people, including an accredited mentor training qualification. Finally, we are hosting 60 students on the second day of the PPMA Show 2018, where we will have our own interactive stand. To get involved or find out more, contact
danny.reed@ppma.co.uk www.ppmabest.org.uk
Why the food and drink industry must be at the forefront of Brexit negotiations By Nicki Hunt, Director of Membership and Commercial Engagement at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) The food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector and contributes £28.8bn to GDP. Our sector will be the hardest hit by Brexit, which means it is vital that Government puts us first in Brexit negotiations. Securing the best possible deal for the food and drink industry will benefit the UK’s £112bn ‘farm to fork’ supply chain and the other industries that work so closely alongside us. Many of the food and drink industry’s complex supply chains are built on efficient just-in-time production systems which utilise the fantastic technologies that PPMA members provide. They allow us to feed not just our own country, but markets across the globe that enjoy our world renowned food and drink. From a Food and Drink Federation perspective, there are four key areas that Brexit must deliver on: continued access to labour; continued tariff-free UK-EU trade in all agrifood and drink products; continued access to EU FTAs during and beyond the transition period; and as frictionless as possible trade that avoids delays and added costs, and no physical border in Ireland where the majority of goods traded are food and drink. In March, we welcomed the announcement of a time-limited transition period. It provided much needed stability for business, meaning the UK will continue to have access to
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its valued EU workforce and continue to enjoy frictionless tariff-free trade and consistent regulation up until December of 2020. But time is running out for us to find a customs model that would work for our industry. Tariffs aside, the process of physically inspecting food and drink imports and checking documents and ID would cause chaos. An average delay of two minutes at the Port of Dover would result in a 17-mile queue reaching Ashford. One positive from all of this is that collaboration across the entire food and drink supply chain has never been more important. Never before have so many industries come together and spoken with one voice. While we cannot be sure what the business landscape will look like in three years’ time, I hope these relationships will continue to persevere.
Free EEF roadshow set to prepare manufacturers for Brexit To help manufacturers prepare for Brexit, the EEF is running a series of Brexit Roadshows featuring insight and practical guidance on trade, migration and skills from prominent government speakers and Brexit experts. As an affiliate EEF member, PPMA members can attend these roadshows free of charge, simply by registering. Focusing on the impact of Brexit in the West of England, the next event is taking place at Aerospace Bristol on 6 July and will see Baroness Neville-Rolfe, former Director of Tesco, former Minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Treasury, and a current Life Peer and member of the EU Select Committee in the House of Lords, deliver the keynote speech. Spaces are limited so register now for free at
eefevents@pagefield.co.uk
Could you be eligible for an R&D tax refund? Welcome Sharon We are delighted to welcome Sharon Mason as our new Membership Manager. Starting this summer, Sharon’s role will be completely member-focused, communicating the benefits available to PPMA Group members and finding out how we can better support you and your business. To invite Sharon to visit your business or learn how to make the most of your membership, contact
sharon.mason@ppma.co.uk T +44 (0)20 8773 8111
The PPMA Group is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with TBAT Innovation, specialists in grant funding and R&D tax credits. As well as offering PPMA members a free one-day workshop on eligibility for Innovate UK grant applications, members can also benefit from TBAT’s no-win no-fee offer on R&D tax refunds. To take advantage of this exclusive member benefit, contact
info@tbat.co.uk www.tbat.co.uk
Welcome new PPMA Group members Active8 Robots Active8 Robots is a consultant and integrator of automation systems, specialising in industrial and collaborative robots. With more than 15 years’ experience providing automation solutions to manufacturers, the company has successfully deployed hundreds of projects throughout the UK from single robot to highly complex multi-robot solutions. For more information, contact Adrian Aggett: adrian.aggett@active8robots.com T +44 (0)1761 234372 www.active8robots.com
DC Norris Specialists in bespoke industrial food processing and packaging machinery for over 45 years, DCN designs, manufactures and installs full turnkey systems that can cook and cool a large range of convenience food products. The company provides flexible, efficient and innovative solutions to meet the full range of food processing needs, from standalone items to fully automated processing lines. For more information, contact Ian Jones: mail@dcnorris.com T +44 (0)1767 677515 www.dcnorris.com
Hycontrol Hycontrol supplies silo level measurement and control technology, providing application solutions for powders, pellets, liquids and slurries to a wide range of industries. Supplying overfill/overspill protection systems and award winning silo over-pressure safety systems, backed by a team of experienced engineers, the company aims to provide the best engineered solution, without compromise. For more information, contact: sales@hycontrol.com T +44 (0)1527 406800 www.hycontrol.com
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ITI – International TechneGroup
Lamonde Automation
ITI solves complex engineering data interoperability problems. Its CADfix PPS solution quickly simplifies large MCAD models of equipment and machinery for integration with plant and process design systems, or for customer delivery. It provides a simplified model in a significantly smaller and more manageable file that saves valuable time and costs.
Established in 1982, Lamonde Automation supplies a wide range of automation products. It is the UK & Ireland distributor for Automation Direct & Weintek Labs (HMI), as well as being a Control Techniques drives distributor. The company’s core customer base is comprised of machine manufacturers, including a number of PPMA members.
For more information, contact Andrew Chinn:
For more information, contact Duncan Stanton:
andy.chinn@iti-global.com T +44 (0)1954 234 300 www.iti-global.com/cadfix-for-processplant-and-ship-building
sales@lamonde.com T +44 (0)203 026 2670 www.lamonde.com
iXAPACK GLOBAL
Macsa id
iXAPACK GLOBAL is a 40-year-old, French family-owned company specialising in the design and manufacture of portioning, checkweighers, flow wrappers, top load cartoners and turnkey full automatic lines for the food and cosmetic industries.
Macsa id provides solutions to meet all coding, identification and traceability needs. By combining a range of hardware and software technologies, services and supplies, the company helps manufacturing firms to secure their products, brands and customers’ peace of mind.
For more information, contact Laurent Noiraud:
For more information, contact Neil Greatorex:
laurent.noiraud@ixapack.com T +33 549 820 408 www.ixapack.com
sales.uk@macsa.com T +44 (0)1462 816091 www.macsa.co.uk
James Mae Industries
Micro-Epsilon
James Mae Industries is a UK manufacturer of bespoke production equipment, including the Compact© palletising system. The company offers conveyors, special purpose machines, assembly cells, robot systems and control systems, and employs electrical and mechanical designers, project managers and a team of electrical and mechanical fitters, as well as in-house software engineers.
Micro-Epsilon develops and manufactures precision sensors and measurement systems for displacement, distance, position, profile, thickness, temperature and colour measurement. With more than 45 years’ experience, the company has sensors and measurement applications in almost all industries. From R&D and NDT, to OEM or process control, Micro-Epsilon is certain to have a solution for your measurement task.
For more information, contact Dave Wood:
For more information, contact:
dave@jamesmaeindustries.co.uk T +44 (0)7946 454188 www.jamesmae.co.uk
info@micro-epsilon.co.uk T +44 (0)151 355 6070 www.micro-epsilon.co.uk
Get in touch Norduct
Stellar Technik
The UK’s only complete manufacturer of modular, clip-together ductwork, Norduct’s state of the art manufacturing facilities and experienced staff allow the company to respond to the most demanding ducting projects on time, first time, every time. Its unique, modular ducting system makes the product stronger, easier and faster to connect, reducing installation time.
Stellar Technik supplies after-market spares for machine knives, punches and punch and die assemblies. All products are designed and manufactured in the UK to tight tolerances using advanced CNC machining technology. Serving the food and pharmaceutical industries, the company’s range is designed to perform and last as well as the OEM product.
ppma.co.uk ukiva.org bara.org.uk ppma-group
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ppma-group
@PPMA_Group https://twitter.com/PPMA_Group PPMA TV
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW0hgEalJv1jSjjpf-eoJUA
For more information, contact Claire Forrest:
For more information, contact Tom Newbery:
claire@norduct.com T +44 (0)1274 693630 www.norduct.com
tnewbery@vesprecision.com T +44 (0)1460 270650 www.stellartechnik.com
Polar Systems
Universal Robots
PPMA Show
As manufacturers and suppliers of food processing equipment, Polar Systems provides bespoke systems for various industries including shellfish and snack food (including industrial popcorn and flavouring systems), plus turnkey fruit and vegetable processing from field to pack. The company manufactures everything in-house, offering high quality, robust, hygienic and easily maintainable machinery.
Universal Robots is the leading provider of collaborative robots (cobots) by units sold. Its flexible robot arms can be used by all levels of production staff to help increase productivity, reduce injury and boost morale. Based in Odense, Denmark, the company has distributors in 50 countries worldwide.
International Services
For more information, contact Adrian Gamble: sales@polar-systems.co.uk T +44 (0)1553 691472 www.polar-systems.co.uk
For more information, contact Christina Hinze Jørgensen: c hjo@universal-robots.com T +45 28 93 06 01 www.universal-robots.com
Membership Relations
membership@ppma.co.uk
scott.mckenna@ppma.co.uk
janette.lane@ppma.co.uk Publishing and Advertising
david.chadd@ppma.co.uk Marketing and PR
marketing@ppma.co.uk PPMA BEST Charitable Trust
ppmabest@ppma.co.uk
Sharp Systems Sharp Systems designs, manufactures and installs bespoke processing and handling systems for the food industry. Covering the whole of the UK, the company specialises in conveyor systems including elevators, spirals, vibrators, and bulk weigh systems and platforms to EN1090. Its clients encompass fresh and frozen food processors, bakeries, ready meal manufacturers, confectioners and dairies. For more information, contact Paul Sharp: paul@sharp-systems.com T +44 (0)1553 775050 www.sharp-systems.com
Join today! For a PPMA Group membership pack contact
christine.jordan@ppma.co.uk
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Actively helping our members through services, tools and initiatives to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace