European Springs Web Team, Author at European Springs Ireland

2020 has been an unusual year in many ways, largely because of the Coronavirus pandemic, and many who are involved in the manufacturing sector may have found themselves operating differently to usual. Whilst things may have seemed very distinctive in 2020, it’s also the case that much of the manufacturing sector has been proceeding as normal.

Not even a pandemic can hold back the overarching trends that define an industry. All of this means that 2021 is likely to be an exciting and innovative year for the sector. As one of the leading spring manufacturers in Europe, the team here at European Springs & Pressings Ireland, are expecting some big changes to come in the new year.

This article will explore what opportunities these developments will hold for the sector, and how those in the manufacturing industry can best prepare for them and mitigate any risks or challenges.

Welcoming 5G

The rollout of the 5G network is on the radar of many individuals across a number of industries at the moment – not just in the manufacturing sector. The infrastructure updates and building work required to make the rollout happen is in the news on a regular basis, and many people live or work close to a site that is part of the important development.

This new technology will be an upgrade to the existing mobile network infrastructure and is expected to provide users with a speed of 1Gbps for downloading on average – a big improvement on the current experience of many. For manufacturers, the 5G rollout could bring a huge host of advantages. Factories which currently rely on less sophisticated Internet connectivity tools for data transmission, such as 4G, will soon be able to cut lead times and enjoy improved communication between devices, products and offices.

“Industrial digitalisation”, as it is sometimes known, can help leaders in the manufacturing sector do everything from providing more targeted, data-driven maintenance solutions to deep-diving more effectively when it comes to monitoring the supply chain process. In short, 5G offers manufacturing leaders the chance to really turn around their business and identify key areas in which there are efficiency problems – whether that’s on the production line or later in the chain.

According to a small minority of people involved in a conspiracy theory, the 5G network causes ill health and suffering. While this claim appears to be largely baseless, those involved in the supply chain manufacturing (or even usage) of the new 5G network may want to ensure they have a communications plan in place in order to address any concerns from customers.

Industry 4.0

When most people hear the term “Industrial Revolution”, they often hark back to the Victorian age and the development of railways and factories. But what many people do not know is that analysts in the manufacturing sector have actually identified several industrial revolutions – and the current one, Industry 4.0, is actually the fourth. It is a catch-all term designed to cover the impact that technology is having on sectors like manufacturing, including in fields such as artificial intelligence.

Industry 4.0 poses a variety of opportunities for wire form manufacturers like ourselves, and indeed other sub-sectors too – not least when it comes to reducing friction in the production process, and reducing the risk of dud products or breakdowns affecting the customer experience. There will be some challenges for manufacturing leaders to overcome, of course. The sheer amount of data required to make the most of the connected factory or warehouse will mean that upgrades to existing enterprise computing systems may be required, and it could involve initial outlay. But with so many cost-related benefits to embracing Industry 4.0, it’s likely that these costs will be recouped over time.

Smart Factories

One specific sort of development offered by Industry 4.0 is the smart factory. Smart factories could well become a key part of a manufacturer’s life in 2021, and it pays for manufacturers to be aware of what potential they hold. Whilst there has already been huge investment into smart factories for most manufacturers, it’s expected that those that have not yet invested in the technology required, will do so in the new year.

Smart factories are environments in which production processes as they currently exist are either replaced or combined with some element of automation and so-called “big data”. Information is the main driver of the smart factory: when every part of the smart factory has the power to gather data, manufacturing leaders – and the systems themselves – can analyse it more effectively to improve workflows and uncover inefficiencies.

Smart factories are also an example of how the different strands of the revolutionised manufacturing sector will work together. The introduction of 5G into a factory setting, for example, is likely to mean increased communication between different nodes in the production network. A production schedule can be updated in real-time as the supply levels are checked, and the actual assembly work is monitored. More accurate information, delivered faster, is likely to be the main benefit of the 5G revolution.

Those are just a few of the main changes we expect to see throughout 2021, but there are sure to be many more. Check in on our blog regularly, as we are constantly updating our visitors with the latest news breaking from the manufacturing sector.

The environment is an incredibly hot talking point these days. With growing concerns about the impact of climate change on the planet, the conversation often steers towards the matter of gas-guzzling vehicles, and how long we can really sustain our current lifestyles while the carbon emissions pumped out by cars cause further damage.

Electric cars have been creeping into the mainstream for many years now, and this is only set to keep increasing as the vehicles become cheaper and more charging points are installed across the country. But how long before we can expect every vehicle on the road to be completely clean and free of carbon emissions?

Petrol and Diesel Car Ban

One of the most extreme acts to come into force in the UK regarding changes to vehicles is the ban on new cars and vans that are wholly powered by petrol or diesel.

The ban is set to come into effect in 2030 – five years earlier than the previous plan of a ban by 2035 – and excludes some hybrid models. It’s part of what the Prime Minister is calling a “green industrial revolution”, with £4 billion being set aside for the project. Some critics of the plan claim the amount is too small for the scale of the challenge.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma, also president of the COP26 international climate summit, said that the funds would support the creation of 250,000 green jobs, 60,000 of which will be in offshore wind.

With the 2030 deadline in place, the UK has bumped up to second place in rising to the challenge of cleaning up motoring. First place belongs to Norway, which has their own fossil fuel abolition date set for 2025.

Car manufacturers in the UK have been warned of the upcoming changes. Still, the Prime Minister insists that forcing them to change will give them a competitive edge and that the plan will support and protect hundreds of thousands of green jobs. All in a bid to strive for the UK’s target of having net zero emissions by 2050.

Demand for Electric

There’s growing evidence to suggest that electric cars are the future of transportation, while it was at one time considered a race between electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, electric has clearly won the race.

The National Grid has predicted that there will be 36 million electric vehicles on UK roads by 2040, with the market growing more quickly than ever. More than 164,100 pure-electric cars were on UK roads by the end of September 2020, and over 373,600 plug-in models including hybrids.

According to Zap-Map, there are over 30,000 charging connectors in the UK across 10,000 locations, and research suggests that around 43,000 charging points will be needed by 2030. At current rates with 200 charging points being added in 30 days, this demand could be easily met. Of course, the implementation of home charging points will also be required to cope with the growing demand for electric vehicles.

How Long Until Electric Ousts Petrol and Diesel?

So, we have seen how electric vehicles are increasing in popularity and petrol, and diesel vehicles are set to be banned in the new decade, but how long will the process take? When can we reasonably expect electric cars to take over the roads entirely?

According to research, electric cars could become as cheap to manufacture as conventional cars by 2024, which should help to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. The current difference in costs for manufacturing is cited as the biggest reason why some car manufacturers have been reluctant to shift production away from internal combustion engines to electric models. The car batteries account for a quarter to two-fifths of the cost of the entire vehicle.

The reduction in battery costs is set to trigger a faster switch to electric vehicles, as their sales continue to boom across the UK. Attitudes are also beginning to shift, with a 2018 survey finding that 30% of Brits would consider buying an electric car, compared to just 25% in the previous year. However, research by Ford suggests that Brits are also hesitant about electric vehicles, worried about their affordability, access to charging points and the number of miles they can run on a single charge.

The transition to electric vehicles is set to be a slow one, though as battery technology improves, electric vehicles could become the preference for many people. The battery life and charging times will improve, and costs for these vehicles will reduce, meaning more people have access to electric cars in time for the petrol and diesel ban.

But the growth of electric vehicle sales is just one part of the step to reducing emissions. Real change depends on individuals, businesses and policymakers working in tandem to create more sustainable practices that are still accessible to the everyday driver.

At European Springs & Pressings Ireland, we like to keep our finger on the pulse of the latest developments in the manufacturing industry. We are expert spring manufacturers leading the field in spring and high-speed press technology. Contact us today to find out more about our bespoke design and manufacture service.

With 5G set to revolutionise the manufacturing industry, there is much speculation on the importance of manufacturers adopting the technology as early as possible. Here, we will consider the benefits that 5G is likely to bring, when it will be rolling out, and what this means for manufacturing.

What Is 5G?

5G is the latest upgrade to mobile data. If you have used 2G, 3G or 4G on your phone, then you can imagine that, but much, much faster. While the general consumer only handles 3G or 4G for sending and receiving social interactions on their mobiles, there are significant repercussions for its fine-tuning for technology, including for those working in the manufacturing sector.

Mobile data works using radio waves, and 5G data will be transmitted over a section of the available bandwidth. It will be transmitted via phone masts and similar, with greater coverage occurring initially in cities where higher numbers of people can make use of the technology. As 5G becomes more popular and more technology is created that can use it, it will spread throughout the nation until it becomes the new normal.

What Are the Benefits of 5G?

This new mobile data is substantially faster than its predecessors, offering substantially faster download and upload speeds. Not only is this a great asset for downloading movies, but it will have a significant impact on the future of important society-changing technology, such as the development of driverless cars.

For an insight into the speed of 5G, it is ten times faster than 4G. Where is would previously take fifteen minutes to download a film on 4G, it will take you three minutes on a 5G connection.

When Will 5G Be Here?

5G is already here! In the UK, EE and Vodafone were the first to introduce a 5G plan back in May 2019. Since then, all major phone service providers have rolled out 5G packages; however, for consumers to make use of their package, they must have access to a phone compatible with translating 5G waves into data.

The same goes for smart technology and the internet of things. To make use of this improved speed, your technology may need updating or replacing. As such, 5G has already arrived in our country, but it is still gaining traction with industrial, commercial, and domestic users.

How Will 5G Affect the Manufacturing Industry?

The main ways in which 5G will affect the manufacturing industry is through improving the developing technology used in industry 4.0. Through 5G, smart machines will be able to communicate more information with each other, faster. This has great implications for the predicted efficiency of this technology but will also increase the amount of data that they can process, analyse, and report on.

If you are struggling to envision what this will really mean for your factory, then try to visualise your production line as a series of solitary, hygienic machines, communicating statistics to each other and your staff. For example, if machine A is running out of material, it will communicate to machine B to order in new materials. Machine A might then calculate the speed at which it will completely run out of materials to make your product and to warn staff in your office when to expect a new material shipment.

In the case that the material shipment runs late, machine A could be programmed to request machine check-ups during its downtime, ordering in parts and relying on human engineers to repair any burgeoning problems.

One of the primary roles of your staff in this situation will be to oversee the machines’ performance, to study the data they send back, and to formulate plans which will help to improve your business’ productivity. With technology like this, your staff will likely be able to work fewer hours for better pay. The evolution of the smart factory is good news all round.

We are spring manufacturers with decades of experience. Our smart machines help us to engineer precise parts of consistent quality for other businesses and industries. We can supply springs for household appliances to aerodynamic vehicles. With the introduction of 5G technologies and industry 4.0 being the inevitable future of manufacturing, we look forward to seeing how our productivity, and ability to provide for our customers’, changes.

The manufacturing industry has grown significantly in recent years, and despite recent struggles due to Coronavirus, the sector is seeing some promising signs and appears to be bouncing back.

With the ongoing digital transformation of the sector, along with Industry 4.0 now being fully incorporated into most businesses, there’s now room for the next big deve
lopment in the sector.

With the sector coming on in leaps and bounds in recent years, you can be forgiven for getting excited about what the future holds for the industry; and in this article, we take a closer look at some of the key things to keep an eye out for in the coming years.

3D Printing

It’s no secret that 3D printing has been steadily growing over the years, with the industry set to account for more than $20 billion in spending by 2025, according to GlobalData. 3D printing offers manufacturers a huge amount of flexibility, and with advancements set to be made in prototyping, firms are genuinely encouraged by the potential ability to better visualise future products ahead of mass manufacturing.

3D printing has become something of a staple with many manufacturing companies around the UK, and with steps forward being taken with automated assembly integrating seamlessly with 3D printed metal and plastic parts, we could see 3D printing as part of the assembly line in a matter of years.

There’s also hope that advancements in software and data management will have a profound effect on 3D printing moving forward. With improved system management and part quality expected from these changes, the expectation is that manufacturers will be able to deliver more individualised, purpose-built products for customers, at significantly lower price points.

Wearable Technologies

Wearable technologies have been incorporated into manufacturing over the last few years, and there’s good reason to believe this type of tech will continue to be used throughout the sector for years to come. It’s important to remember that wearable technologies go far beyond eye-based units, with the likes of smartwatches quickly becoming a key part of employee welfare in manufacturing settings.

Wearable tech has two main uses, VR and AR are mainly used for training purposes, as the wearer can safely get to grips with how to work key components in the supply chain. A VR or AR headset allows the user to enter a fully augmented space where they can carry out tasks exactly as they would in real life.

Smartwatches are mainly used for ensuring the welfare of all employees, as they can be used to detect fatigue, high heart rates and other abnormalities. This information can be relayed back to a duty manager who can then check in on employees if any potential issues are flagged.

With multiple benefits already being seen from wearable tech within the industry, their use is only expected to become more commonplace over the coming years. The technology used in wearables has come on in leaps and bounds in such a small amount of time, so it’s only a matter of time until the next big wearables hit the market.

Embracing 5G & Investment in IoT

It doesn’t feel like that long ago that the industry was excited about 4G and all of the benefits it would bring to the sector, but now we are already looking ahead to how we can harness 5G to its full extent. 5G is roughly 100 times faster than 4G, with speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second ready to be harnessed.

With the IoT taking up an ever-increasing amount of bandwidth and demands for data creation constantly on the rise, 5G comfortably satisfies the growing need for reliable, high-speed connectivity. It’s extremely important that businesses take steps to futureproof their current processes with 5G in mind, and that inevitably means investment in IoT technologies.

IoT tech has been a staple within the industry for a number of years now, and its influence over the manufacturing sector doesn’t look set to diminish any time soon. With automation and robotics within smart factories relying heavily on this technology, now is the time to invest and embrace IoT, along with 5G. Doing so will enable your business to work faster, create more high-quality products and reduce bottlenecks in the supply chain.

As a whole, the industry seems ready to invest in IoT technologies, as many within the sector have first-hand experience of just how much of an impact it can have on workflows and automation within the workplace.

At European Springs & Pressings Ireland, we are constantly looking for the next big technology in the manufacturing industry. By continually investing in our existing processes and technology, we are able to maintain our position as one of the top spring manufacturers in the UK.

Be sure to keep an eye on our blog page for the very latest information coming out of the manufacturing industry, as well as expert sector insights!

In last year’s Annual Manufacturing Report (2019), it was revealed that more than half of businesses in the industry believed that the education system was failing the industry. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that the government is doing much to change that, so it is up to the business owners to change perceptions.

If you are a business owner hoping for talented, passionate, and promising new hires in the future, we have some advice for how you can improve the education of young people.

If you are a young person hoping to get into manufacturing, then we also have some suggestions that may be able to help you achieve success. Following the standard education route isn’t always the fastest, or best, route into our industry.

What Exists Now

In terms of the education that already exists, many businesses believe that much of the skills training is outdated and impractical. It is thought that not enough students are being taught to think about the exciting potential of 3D prototyping, or where their future careers might lie in respect to these advancements.

Despite being surrounded by smart technology, young people are not being taught about the future of connected product manufacturing, so they aren’t considering roles in maintaining those technologies. This means that individuals aren’t training to fulfil the roles that we need in our society.

This doesn’t mean that young people are ignorant of automation in factories, however, but they are getting the wrong message about it. Instead of being inspired to create the next automating machine, or learning the skills required to fix and understand automation, young people are hearing about how these machines are cutting jobs from the sector and panicking. We need to teach young students that a future in manufacturing isn’t closed to them because of automation, but that the skills we need are changing to be more exciting because of it.

One way to help young people realise the future of industry is to show it to them. An apprenticeship can offer students the hands-on experience they need to understand what is required from today’s manufacturing scene. If they are looking to further their education after their apprenticeship by taking on a degree, they will be better prepared for which courses can really benefit the companies of today, and may return to you in the future as an ideal candidate.

The Future for Businesses

Most companies in UK manufacturing have felt the impact of the skills gap on their business, and agree that while plenty of skilled workers are retiring, they are not being replaced by enough passionate young people.

To solve this problem, we first need to understand why young people aren’t as attracted to manufacturing as they used to be. The reasons for this could be down to education, or it could be due to uncertainty about the future of the industry. A study quoted by The Telegraph found that 40% of high school students believe that manufacturing is boring, and that only 15% of college-age students believed it had a good wage. Clearly, something needs to change to motivate the future of the manufacturing scene.

One way that businesses can change these views is by going to careers fairs and speaking to children face-to-face and offering them realistic information about the industry. This means talking to them about the kinds of skills that manufacturing is looking for, and the kinds of wages that can bring, compared to other jobs.

Another way to break down the myths surrounding our industry is to offer tours to local schools. These tours, however, need to be thoughtfully planned in order to have the right impact. You want to inspire young people with your business, skills and tools.

For Young People

If you are a young person considering what a future in manufacturing might look like for you, we recommend getting in touch with your local manufacturing company to learn what kind of apprenticeships are available. Experience in our industry is irreplaceable and will help you to secure work in the future.

Overall, we place importance on engineering skills and problem-solving attitudes. Engineering at GCSE opens doors to many wonderful careers and the skills that you learn will stay with you for life. Manufacturing is more than just skills; it is about living with a positive mindset dedicated to making the world around you better with innovative solutions. If this worldview appeals to you, then you might want to consider a career in manufacturing.

We are a springs manufacturer dedicated to supporting young people in the early stages of their career with our apprenticeship programs. If you are interested in our products, or in discussing the future of education and hiring in the industry, contact us.

We’re keeping our finger on the pulse of the very latest industry news. If you’re looking for information on the direction of our sector to help you plan for the future of your business, you can find it here.

Scottish Manufacturing in Front

In the last few months, the BBC has reported two stories on Scotland’s manufacturing front. In June, they reported the First Signs of Slump Show in Scotland’s Official Figures. According to the Scottish government economists, their economy fell by 18.9% in April overall. In the first quarter of the year, their biggest declines were in transport, manufacturing, oil and gas production and hospitality.

Since this report, more optimistic figured have been published for August, in an article titled ‘Scottish Economy ‘Approaching Stabilisation’:

‘The latest Royal Bank of Scotland purchasing managers index (PMI) found the coronavirus-related downturn “eased noticeably” in July.’

There are still worries that local lockdowns could delay further recovery, but nevertheless, these signs of growth are a blessing during the current confusion. The report’s Business Activity Index – a measure of combined manufacturing and service sector output – registered 49.3 in July, up from 37.1 in June. Manufacturing is back on the rise, which is great news for employers and workers nationwide.

UK Manufacturing Front

It’s not only Scotland that’s experiencing gains after great loss during the pandemic. The BCC’s survey of 7,700 firms, representing 580,000 employees across the UK, found that economic conditions in the April-June quarter “deteriorated at an unprecedented rate”.

Looking towards the future, however, one focus is on securing apprenticeship places for young people during the approaching recession. The BCC is calling for wage subsidies for apprenticeships and work experience to support this goal.

It is important that the manufacturing sector is protected during the pandemic. The NewStatesman published an article detailing their thoughts on why manufacturing is key to post-pandemic recovery, and we agree.

Expanding Businesses in Manufacturing – Blends

Not every company has experienced the dramatic falls that are recorded by the media, there have been some successes during these tough times. Blends is one such company.

As a manufacturer of food colouring, Blends has created 70 new jobs to bolster the company’s rapid expansion during difficult times. As well as it’s 70 new jobs, this North West company is fundamentally changing the way their business is run as a result of the pandemic.

Plans include a £5000 investment on a new video conferencing room. They recognise the benefits that a more digital approach to business will afford them in the post-pandemic future, but the pandemic has made them ever more vital.

Here’s what Blends said about increasing their digital reliance:

“Don’t get me wrong, face-to-face meetings are still preferable when you’re negotiating, but having video conferencing equipment makes it easier to stay in touch with customers, suppliers and anyone working from home.”

This perspective could become more common in a post-pandemic UK.

Sustainable Businesses in Manufacturing – SeaMorgens

The pandemic has seen an increase in plastic waste with the nation’s reliance on single-use face masks, gloves, and similar equipment. Considering the sad but necessary environmental impact of all this plastic, it is good to see that more sustainable industries are succeeding in their goals to make things better for our planet.

Created by two sisters dedicated to saving the world’s shores, their eco-friendly designs are crafted from plastic bottles and fishing nets.

“What excites me most is launching a business that is going to have a positive impact on the ocean and the environment.” (Business Live)

High-Quality Tools in Manufacturing – Longcliffe

Other companies like Longcliffe Quarries are using the downtime of the pandemic to fundamentally improve their business. This company have invested no less than £3.5m on state-of-the-art equipment. Their new equipment will enable them to boost their efficiency as well as to achieve their environmental goals better.

Longcliffe Quarries are an example of how companies can rely on technology to improve their efficiency as well as reduce environmental costs. As the fourth industrial revolution grows ever closer, an understanding and willingness to embrace new technologies is vital. Longcliffe have shown time and again that they are willing to make those changes, the real question is whether the rest of the manufacturing sector in our nation can say the same about themselves.

The second quarter has been a tough one, but it’s certain that we’ll be wiser for it. The changes that we’ve had to make will have created important data that will ensure a smarter, more efficient future. For more manufacturing news, be sure to check back to our blog. As spring manufacturers with high hopes for the future of industry, we will always do our best to aid the wider sector in any way possible.

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Author: European Springs Web Team