Plant & Works Engineering October 2022

News 0 8 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk October 2022 Last month Make UK published its Q3 manufacturing outlook survey against a stormy outlook for the global economy. As a result we slashed our growth forecasts for both industry and GDP in 2023 in response to the escalating economic situation and the likely impact on consumers and major markets. In response, we had called on the Government to bring forward measures to help shield companies from the worst of the energy crisis in particular but also other measures to help company cashflow, boost investment protect jobs. Clearly some of the factors impacting on the economy are global and outside the control of the Government but there was still the opportunity to take similar measures to other competitors to help shield companies in the UK. The Chancellor duly delivered on energy with a bold package and substantial intervention. While this will be reviewed after there months and, to date, is only planned to last for six months we will be campaigning to have this extended. The Chancellor also delivered on other measures we have been campaigning for, especially the reversal of the increase in National Insurance Contributions and making the increase in the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) permanent. This latter measure in particular was especially welcome as a survey we had conducted before the statement showed that making the AIA permanent was the most favoured measure by manufacturers to boost investment. The same survey also backed the Chancellor’s decision to reverse the planned increased in Corporation Tax which two thirds of companies felt would have made the UK a less attractive destination for investment. Clearly there are implications for manufacturers in the wider reaction to the statement and it remains to be seen by the time this appears what the economic situation looks like. The Chancellor is also scheduled to deliver a further statement setting out fiscal plans together with the independent forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility. The Bank of England is also scheduled to meet in early November with speculation that a significant increase in base rates may be coming. Looking further afield significant uncertainty exists in the UK’s major markets with indicators in Germany, France and Italy turning negative. Clearly the wider uncertainty is set to impact on manufacturing further and it remains to be seen what further firepower, if any, Government can bring to bear to help shield the sector from the increases in energy costs in particular. By MAKE UK chief executive, Stephen Phipson MAKE uk - the manufacturers’ organisation monthly news comment The Routeco Group has acquired a majority stake in AutoLogic Systems, the Tetsworth, Oxfordshire-based supplier of simulation products, consulting and related services. AutoLogic’s management team and employees will continue serve its customers and to develop the business further. Details of the deal have not been disclosed. AutoLogic, founded in 1993, primarily serves the manufacturing, transport and logistics sectors. It offers modelling and virtual commissioning tools for demonstration, simulation and controls testing. It is a reseller of Rockwell Automation’s Emulate3D digital twin software, and also offers other products including the US-developed Tops design software for case and pallet optimisation, and container and vehicle load planning. Emulate3D – developed by a UK software firm which Rockwell acquired in 2019 – opens the way to mixed and augmented reality applications that can change the way that people are trained to use and interact with industrial machines and processes. The technology allows users to test machine and system designs virtually before incurring manufacturing or automation costs and committing to a build. Routeco managing director, Dave Amps, commented that AutoLogic “fits perfectly with our strategy to provide innovative software tools and consultancy to our machine-builder, end-user and systems integrator customers, helping them to remain competitive globally and use technology to reduce commissioning time and their time-to- market.” AutoLogic’s managing director, Graham Carter, added: “AutoLogic has worked successfully with Routeco for some time, so I’m delighted that we’re now part of the Routeco Group. The acquisition gives us a tremendous opportunity to grow our business by providing our advanced software solutions and outstanding consulting expertise to even more customers. There is no better fit for us.” Routeco announces AutoLogic acquisition