www.bfpa.co.uk 53 Japan. So, I think it’s very important that people understand this. The old dark mills of UK manufacturing are very much a thing of the past. Cyber security We use some amazingly effective integrated technology. Of course, with that comes cyber security risks when you’re reliant on that digital footprint for traceability. So, we do a huge amount of work on cyber security using the right software, databases and cloud security to ensure we have all the right parameters to protect our digital footprint. Manufacturing isn’t just what happens on the shopfloor, it also entails a conversion of orders into production planning, materials management, forward planning, customer relationship management and so on. A key part of our strategy is to make improvements to streamline our SAP ERP system to make sure we are as efficient as possible in serving our customers. So, our manufacturing execution system is used for a range of tasks. We use it for process capability, it helps with warranty reviews because we know exactly the process condition when the products are produced. It also manages planning, forecasting, material purchase and customer orders at the front end, and keeps accurate data about all our customers and contractors. So, we are doing a huge amount of work, using Industry 4.0 technologies. Sustainability KPM UK is also on a sustainability journey, since 2017 they have implemented 1MW of solar to the site reducing their carbon footprint by 265tonnes per annum which accounts for 24% of their energy used on site. KPM UK, aligned with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, has a plan to be Net Zero for scope 1 and 2 by 2030 and for scope 3 by 2050. KPM UK are now in the process, as are many companies, mapping their scope 3 activities and planning for their Net Zero strategy. Education and training We have always been actively involved with local schools, colleges, and universities as it is so important to ensure a pipeline of skilled workers coming into the manufacturing industry. We believe that the entry levels to any manufacturing business are varied. So, if you are looking for advanced product or process design and digital control such as condition monitoring, you will need to offer a placement to an engineering graduate, which we have done. We have also sponsored the graduates to do their Masters. They then come back to Kawasaki for their thesis based on a project within our business. There have been two examples of this at Kawasaki over the past five years. We have had apprentices in IT, machining, maintenance and in application engineering as well as in process engineering. We have good examples of apprentices who stay and progress within our company, for example, our Manufacturing Engineering Manager is an ex-apprentice. Our current Chair of the Board is a former apprentice. He retired 7 years ago, but he came up through the apprenticeship route working in sales, HR, and production. He became general manager and then managing director. When he retired, he became Chair. In summary, it is horses for courses in terms of what we are looking for regarding specific jobs and the education level required for that job, whether higher education, apprentices, post graduate or master’s level Engineers. School outreach Our approach is to try to be visible from a STEM perspective. We are active in school outreach. This year, some of our engineers gave a presentation in a local school talking to 200+ students about Kawasaki, what it’s like to work for us and what the career prospects are and so on. KPM UK also opens its doors a couple of times a year. For example, on National Manufacturing Day for Make UK, we invited local students to visit our premises. Additionally, we have previously had a family open day. On this day, we let our workforce bring their families in as this helps our employee’s families understand more about what we do at Kawasaki. This can also spur conversations about the next generation and what their children might want to do as a career. Sponsorship I serve as an external adviser for Plymouth University’s engineering school. Last year, I was part of the accreditation team to look at the university’s undergraduate and master’s degree syllabus. KPM UK also sponsors an award for the best final year student at the Engineering school. I also used to be the Chair of the Industrial Advisory Committee. That is where the engineering school and local industry heads get together and discuss whether they are serving the local industry with the syllabus and the technologies they have in the right way. I chaired this Committee for three years. Encouragement Also, as part of my role within the Plymouth Manufacturing Group, we are a partner of Plymouth City College, where we give advice on their courses and on how they can better support local manufacturing groups. So, we are very actively engaged in encouraging young people to enter our industry and give them our full backing and encouragement.
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