News February/March 2024 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 07 boost growth, the BCAS team will be strengthened further too. Vanda Jones will continue in post, providing governance and stability while a new executive director is appointed, before continuing in the new role as company secretary. Tim Preece, as technical officer continues to expand the Society’s remit in the areas of EU and global standards and legislation, and a new training and development officer will be announced shortly. Frances Marsh also continues in her vital role as society administrator, providing membership support to manufacturer, distributor and end-user members. Commenting on Steven’s appointment, Vanda Jones, BCAS Executive Director added: “At board level we now have a wealth of experience across the team, with a balance of manufacturer and distribution directors to better represent our membership. This ensures we continue to support all our stakeholders on the issues that matter most to their businesses – whether it’s lobbying for changes in legislation to deliver a better outcome for customers, providing guidance on energy reduction or delivering technical training. “It is an exciting time for Steven to be leading the BCAS board and I look forward to working with him to support all our members and compressed air end users.” ABB to acquire SEAM Group to expand electrification service offering ABB has entered into an agreement to acquire SEAM Group, a major provider of energised asset management and advisory services to clients across industrial and commercial building markets. The acquisition will complement ABB’s Electrification Service offering, bringing significant additional expertise to customers in the areas of predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance, electrical safety, renewables and asset management advisory services. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and expected to close in Q3 2024. Financial terms were not disclosed. SEAM Group offers a suite of services including strategic advisory, custom training, advanced technology and data management solutions to help clients improve their safety and operational performance by securing asset uptime and improving productivity. The Company has nearly 250 employees and supports more than 1 million energised assets for over 800 active clients operating across 50 US states, as well as in the Americas, EMEA and Asia. With its presence at around 3000 customer sites and a strong foothold in fast-growing segments such as commercial buildings, data centres, healthcare, manufacturing and renewables including EV charging infrastructure, SEAM Group will extend ABB’s low- and medium-voltage services where reliable and available power is critical. “For many industries, every minute of production time counts. Proactive asset management is now a priority for industrial companies to guarantee peak performance of electrical systems and overall operational efficiency, safety and sustainability,” said Stuart Thompson, Division President, ABB Electrification Service.” Chief Executive Officer for SEAM Group added: “The synergies between SEAM Group and ABB are clear. From our shared values of customer focus, collaboration and enabling a more sustainable future, to our complementary portfolios, together we will deliver new levels of operational performance while supporting companies in their energy transition. We look forward to becoming part of ABB and the opportunity to bring the best of SEAM Group and ABB to our customers.” In a recent comment, Ken Young, Chief Technology Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), emphasised the critical need for governance in addressing the challenges and risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Young said that as AI continues to evolve, effective regulation and understanding are imperative to both maximise its benefits and protect against potential risks. Young explained: “We’re currently at the tip of the AI iceberg – what we see and understand today is a small fragment, but under the surface, there’s a vast amount of opportunity and challenges.” Highlighting the importance of governance, he stressed the necessity of a comprehensive approach to ensure the safe and ethical deployment of AI technologies. The Chief Technology Officer expressed full support for the Prime Minister’s vision of establishing the world’s first AI Safety Institute. This institute, as proposed by the Prime Minister, would focus on examining and mitigating the risks associated with AI technology. “Adequate governance will allow us to maximise AI’s potential safely, securely, and ethically,” Young continued. He underlined the significance of understanding the data used in AI models and the training processes involved, emphasising the need to make AI more predictable and less susceptible to bias. Turning the focus to the UK manufacturing sector, Young stressed the importance of education and upskilling initiatives on AI. He believes that stakeholders and the government should concentrate on fostering a deep understanding of AI to fully reap its benefits. Young pointed out that, through the digitalisation of the industry, AI has the potential to revolutionise decision-making, enhance productivity, and improve workplace safety in unprecedented ways. “With the prospect of smart factories on the horizon, AI can propel the move towards truly sustainable manufacturing,” he concluded, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in shaping the future of the manufacturing industry. MTC’s CTO urges robust governance to navigate AI challenges and risks
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