November 2017

News 6 BCAS’monthly column for the compressed air user continued from page 1… launched in January identified industrial digitalisation as one of five potential early sector deals and the Review kick started work with stakeholders to identify opportunities for how government and industry can work together. The Review brings together input and recommendations from over 200 stakeholders, including companies such as Rolls Royce, GKN, IBM, and Accenture. The Review took substantive input from SME’s such as Yamazaki Mazak and Vertizan as well as academic institutions including the University of Newcastle and the University of Cambridge. R&D centres of excellence, the Digital Catapult and High Value Manufacturing Catapult also co-designed the proposals. Professor Juergen Maier, CEO of Siemens UK and Ireland, said: “The business and academic community has set out a vision for much greater ambition needed for Britain to be a world leader in the fourth industrial revolution. Industry is committed to working in partnership with Government, and this combined package of measures will boost UK growth and productivity in manufacturing and provide more exports and increased earning potential, which our economy desperately needs. “Our ‘Made Smarter’ proposals will help business understand, deploy and create the latest digital technologies, helping to secure more homegrown R&D and the creation of new industries and highly skilled well paid jobs. The proposals build on the UK’s natural technology strengths, whilst setting out a framework to encourage entrepreneurs to develop new technologies that help manufacturers. “I look forward to working with Government to consider the recommendations, including those that can be taken forward as part of an ambitious sector deal.” The Industrial Digitalisation Review considers three key themes – adoption, innovation and leadership. The proposals include: Adoption: Building a national digital ecosystem. Government and industry should create a significantly more visible and effective ecosystem that will accelerate the innovation and diffusion of Industrial Digital Technologies. This includes a National Adoption Programme piloted in the North West, focused on increasing capacity of existing growth hubs and providing more targeted support. Additionally the Review recommends up- skilling one million industrial workers to enable digital technologies to be deployed and successfully exploited through a Single Industrial Digitalisation Skills Strategy. Innovation: Re-focus existing landscape by increasing capacity and capability through creating 12 ‘Digital Innovation Hubs’, eight large scale demonstrators and five digital research centres focused on developing new technologies as part of a new National Innovation Programme. Leadership: Establish a national body, Made Smarter UK (MSUK) Commission, comprising Industry, Government, Academia, FE and leading Research and Innovation organisations, responsible for developing the UK as a leader in Industrial Digitalisation Technologies (IDT) and skills, which has a mandate to develop the UK’s own national Industry 4.0 domestic and global brand. The recommendations will be considered carefully by the government and used to inform work towards a sector deal between Government and industry. Business Secretary, Greg Clark MP, commented: “The UK manufacturing sector has the potential to be a global leader in the industrial digital technology revolution. Government and industry must work together to seize the opportunities that exist in this sector and promote the benefits of adopting emerging digital technologies, as well as cutting edge business models. “I welcome the Made Smarter report that has been published today and thank Juergen and the reviewers for their work in outlining the huge potential digitalisation offers to this important sector. I look forward to working closely with industry to secure an Industrial Digitalisation Sector Deal.” CBI, director general Carolyn Fairbairn, explained: “The business community has pulled together to shape these recommendations that will speed up technology adoption and bring new energy to the manufacturing sector. The UK must compete with China, the USA and much of Europe where there are already advanced plans to embrace the fourth industrial revolution. I urge the government to consider these plans carefully, as they are focused on increasing productivity and wages, especially in smaller businesses.” Innovate UK chief executive Ruth McKernan, added: “This comprehensive review sets out practical recommendations around digital skills adoption, leadership and innovation. Maximising opportunities from industrial digitalisation massively boosts productivity and UK competitiveness. The innovation eco-system has a key role to play in delivering the ambition in this Review and Innovate UK stands ready to work with government and industry to drive forward the recommendations Juergen Maier sets out.” Industrial Digitalisation Review unveiled Industry 4.0 – A lack of urgency A recent BCAS survey has revealed an apparent indifference towards Industry 4.0 and the rise of new digital industrial technology with only 24% of compressed air end users stating that it is very important at the moment. Is it hype over reality or a lack of awareness? BCAS’ view is that this current trend towards automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies can only help with energy efficiency, maintenance before failure and therefore improve both service levels and costs moving forwards. Today a smart factory or production facility is available as an after fit – so you do not have to wait to change your compressor to take advantage of this new technology led revolution. Although 36% still rate Industry 4.0 as important and the figures increase when asked if it will become important in 5 and 10 years’ time, but worryingly it may reflect a lack of urgency to take action in an area where UK manufacturing should take a lead. Contact us: British Compressed Air Society Ltd. 33/34 Devonshire Street, London, W1G 6PY +44 (0) 207 935 2464 www.bcas.org.uk | Plant &Works Engineering | November 2017