Unlocking the secrets of growth and innovation

Innovation is the key to manufacturing success and in many fields the North West is leading the way, a conference of the region's manufacturers has been told.

Innovation is the key to manufacturing success and in many fields the North West is leading the way, a conference of the region's manufacturers has been told.

"Innovate or die" was the stark message from Dawn Gibbins, Chairman of the Cheshire based Flowcrete Group, which is achieving global domination in the specialist flooring market through applying new thinking to product design and customer service.

Jaguar Land Rover also had plenty of best practice to share on innovation and cost management which are key drivers in the success of its Birmingham and Merseyside plants.

The conference - "Unlocking the secrets of growth and innovation" - was organised by The Manufacturing Institute, which delivers the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) in the North West.

It brought together practical advice on how UK manufacturers can use innovation and advanced manufacturing techniques to take on the rising BRIC economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Welcoming some 450 delegates from manufacturing companies across the North West, the Manufacturing Institute's Chief Executive Dr Julie Madigan said the region's manufacturing sector had a record to be proud of, with productivity per workforce job in the sector continuing to perform at 60% higher than the service sector.

She pointed to the effectiveness of MAS over the past four years in helping the region's manufacturers to achieve almost GBP 200 million worth of financial savings, and urged businesses to work with the Manufacturing Institute in raising the image of the sector.

"We must ensure the general public and, in particular, young people see manufacturing as a vibrant, varied and challenging career option, she said.

"It is vital that we make manufacturing a first choice career destination rather than the last chance saloon".

"The Manufacturing Institute has a clear message - that manufacturing really is a great place to be".

"Over the past 12 months we have, with the help of our regional and industrial partners, been hammering this point home, putting our money where our mouth is in developing more and more innovative ways in which to engage with young people".

Dr George Baxter, Head of Science and Innovation at the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said that 77% of all R and D investment in the UK is in the manufacturing sector.

"It is universally accepted that extending our knowledge base is crucial and this is particularly evident in the North West where we are UK leaders in a wide number of fields, particularly pharmaceuticals, chemicals, aerospace and biotechnology", he said.

"We have to be constantly innovative with our products and also in the processes we use to manufacture them if we are to maintain our competitive edge".

Other speakers included manufacturing leaders from companies such as Hilding Anders UK, MBDA, ColorMatrix, Heimbach UK, Money Controls and Auto Marine Cables, alongside experts from Cambridge University and the TUC.

The conference closed on an inspirational note, with a keynote address by round-the-world yachtsman Pete Goss MBE on the power of motivation and teamwork to meet any challenge.

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