November/December 2020

NEWS n 5 Innovation hubs will help UK manufacturers to go digital THE HIGHVALUE Manufacturing Catapult and the Made Smarter programme are setting up a network of innovation hubs that will help UK manufacturers to cut the risks of implementing new digital manufacturing systems in their businesses. The scheme will allow them to test projects and early-stage technologies in a safe, industry-like environment with expert support. The Made Smarter Smart Factory Innovation Hubs, being delivered by the HVM Catapult, will consist of 16 physical and virtual hubs, allowing businesses from many sectors to explore how they could tackle their problems using industrial digital technologies. Each hub will offer: n a sandpit environment where businesses can innovate, develop and de-risk rapidly configurable projects and industrial digital technologies, before deploying them in their own facilities; n a technology testbed where manufacturing technology suppliers can test, develop and showcase their offerings on industry use cases. The plug-and-play spaces will use the HVM Catapult’s equipment and facilities, and allow suppliers to test and iterate products; and n demonstrators where businesses can experience new integrated technologies. The hubs will showcase real industrial use- cases and facilitate learning in an expert environment. There will be no cost to manufacturers who use the hubs, which are being funded by UK Research and Innovation through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. Dick Elsy, CEO of the HVM Catapult, says that the hubs “present an exciting opportunity to apply the HVM Catapult’s deep industry knowledge and expertise to projects which require increased speed and agility. We are uniquely positioned to offer a sandpit environment for quick-fire feasibility projects for manufacturers and a testbed for manufacturing technology providers to develop, demonstrate and test new applications. “Working together with Made Smarter and businesses of all sizes, we look forward to stimulating growth through better use of digital technologies in manufacturing,” he adds. The 16 hubs will include sites dedicated to: n automated robotic manufacturing assembly; n the connected factory; n cybersecurity for manufacturing; n digital automation and logistics; n legacy systems; n digitally supported manual operations; as well as n two focussing on factory-in-a-box concepts. Juergen Maier, co-chair of the Made Smarter movement, says that the hubs “will give smaller companies access to world-class expert support to turbo- charge new digital innovation and projects. This will deliver that much- needed boost to both individual businesses and the economy as a whole, as companies push forward to create the new ‘must-have’ technologies of the future in order to compete in the global marketplace.” “As businesses fight their way through this second lockdown,” he adds, “speeding up the uptake and development of new ground- breaking digital technologies has never been more important.” www.hvm.catapult.org.uk/ innovation-hubs “The innovation hubs will give smaller companies access to world-class expert support to turbocharge new digital innovation and projects” www.drivesncontrols.com November/December 2020 HVM Catapult CEO Dick Elsy: stimulating growth through better use of digital technologies SIEMENS IS giving all of its employees around the world, except for its senior managers, a special Covid-19 bonus of up to €1,000 to honour their “extraordinary performance during the pandemic”. The company says it is also making the payments – which will cost it about €200m – to live up to its role as a responsible employer “during these special times”. Wherever possible, the bonus will be paid to eligible employees before the end of 2020. The amount paid will be adjusted for each country, based on the World Bank’s independent Purchasing Power Parity Index. “The months behind us presented a huge challenge for our company, and together, we’ve mastered it comparatively well,” says Siemens’ president and CEO, Joe Kaeser. “By making this one-time special payment, the managing board is underscoring its appreciation for our colleagues’ extraordinary performance and dedication under the most difficult conditions. “We wish to express our sincere gratitude to the employees who are now still tirelessly going the extra mile and are helping to keep Siemens on a successful trajectory,” he adds. In its 2020 financial year, which ended in September, Siemens’ revenues totalled €57.1bn – 2% lower than the figure for 2019. Its orders declined by 7% to €60bn. Siemens gives every worker a Covid bonus of up to €1,000