Insights4Mfg

Robot Strategy for ROI (Return on Investment) is the focus of today's discussion between Stephanie West, Deputy Director of Operations at NERIC (North of England Robotic Innovation Centre) and Host Jeff Beacham. How does NERIC support SME Manufacturers? How do you see automation and robotics helping to upskill workers by allowing them to move away from repetitive or dangerous tasks and into more v...

British Design Fund Chair, John Mathers, talks to Host Jeff Beacham about the Manufacturing & Design Start-Up arena. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing design-led startups in the UK today, especially in the manufacturing space? What inspired the creation of the British Design Fund and how has its mission evolved to support both commercial success and purpose-led design? Sustainab...

SME Manufacturing Growth - What are the growth challenges facing SME Manufacturers? This is just one of the questions put to Adam Payne, Managing Director of New Way Growth on this episode of Insights4Mfg, by Host - Jeff Beacham. Adam has a strong background in Manufacturing Leadership within the Automotive & Aerospace sectors. He has also built and runs numerous SME businesses himself that su...

Collaboration in Manufacturing is essential for individual businesses and the sector to innovate and grow. In this episode of Insights4Mfg, we shine the spotlight on MAN Group (Manufacturing Assembly Network) - a collaboration of complementary UK manufacturers providing a single source engineering and manufacturing solution for customers involved in numerous industry sectors. Featured Guest, Peter...

Career Progression into Leadership is often a choice but sometimes in can present itself when you least expecting it. Insights4Mfg Host, Jeff Beacham talks to Michal Zajac - Plant Manager at Plastivaloire Northampton, about the journey he's been on over the last 10 years from Project Engineer to Project Manager, to Production Manager to Plant Manager within the dynamic and boundary-pushing Automot...

Sustainability in Manufacturing is a huge topic and one that has as many challenges as benefits. Featured guest, Adam Dickins, Director of A.D Frameworks talks to Jeff about the importance of Sustainability in Manufacturing, some of the challenges and strategies to deploy and how technology is playing it's part in working towards net zero. Key Points: 00:02:29 How do you define sustainability with...

Non-Executive Directors or NEDs are a valuable resource for any Boardroom. Insights4Mfg Host, Jeff Beacham talks to Martyn Jones - NED, Independent Business Advisor & Chartered Director about the benefits of having a Non-Executive Director on your board and some of the challenges associated in becoming a NED. Here's a timeline of the discussion topics: 00:00:58 Why become a NED? 00:01:42 How d...

Inspiring Women in Robotics is something that 'Robot Queen' Vanessa Loiola has become well-known for. Insights4Mfg host, Jeff Beacham talks to Vanessa to find out about some of the challenges SME Manufacturers encounter when considering robotics deployment, Vanessa's inspiration to become a Robot Programming Specialist and how Manufacturing can encourage more females into the sector. Here’s a time...

Engineers Insight is an App and the central point for product launches, documentation, forums, FAQs and direct access to the world’s largest industrial manufacturers. Featured Guest, Thomas Flude, Co-Founder of Engineers Insight speaks with Jeff about his inspiration for the app, what it is, who it's for and some of the challenges in launching an App. The discussion also looks at some of the trend...

PPMA Show 2024 - Register for FREE here: https://ppma-show-2024-visitor.reg.buzz/ Processing and packaging machinery with containing automation and robotics galore will be exactly what you get when you attend the PPMA Show at NEC National Exhibition Centre Birmingham between 24th – 26th September 2024. One of the flagship events in the Automate UK calendar, this year’s PPMA Show is lining up to be...

Featured guest, Charlie Allen, Lead Project Manager speaks with Jeff about how Automate BEST promotes apprenticeships in the engineering, manufacturing, robotics and machine vision industries. How has Automate BEST evolved since its inception in 2014 and what have been some of the major milestones or achievements? What services does Automate BEST offer and how are they tailored to meet the needs o...

Featured guest, Solomon McKiernan, Electronic Engineering Degree Apprentice at Leonardo, talks to Jeff about his six-year journey from school leaver to recently obtaining a Bachelors Degree with First Class Honours. With the skills gaps in #UKManufacturing & Engineering and a recent downturn in the uptake in Apprenticeships, it's important to reinforce the importance of encouraging more youngs...

Featured guest Dan Barker, Director of Dan Barker Studios speaks with Jeff about the 'Goldmine' of opportunity for Manufacturers to showcase their business through Video Content. Full of tips and advice for any manufacturing business who are looking to maximise their marketing efforts. Here are just some of the questions put to Dan: From the use of professional video production companies to self-p...

Featured Guest, James Causebrook - Chairman of Automate UK, speaks with Jeff about the importance of awareness and promotion of automation technology within UK Manufacturing. With over 580 full and affiliate member companies, Automate UK comprises three leading Trade Associations - PPMA, BARA & UKIVA. Following a successful Automation UK Exhibition in June, Automate UK is already gearing up fo...

#AutomationUK #AutomateUK #RoboticsAndAutomation This episode of Insights4Mfg is brought to you in Partnership with AutomateUK Featured guest, Peter Williamson - CEO of Automate UK speaks with Insights4Mfg Host Jeff Beacham about the 2nd Annual Automation UK Exhibition on June 18th - 19th 2024 at the CBS Arena, Coventry. Following the recent rebranding of the PPMA Group of Companies (PPMA Exhibiti...

Featured guest, Sara Duff - Director of Smart Manufacture & Smart Quality Services talks with Jeff about the challenges, opportunities and benefits of Smart Manufacturing, along with some common misconceptions about implementing smart quality solutions in manufacturing. 1. What are the key challenges manufacturing professionals face in implementing smart quality practices, and how can they ove...

In Season 5 Episode 5 of Insights4Mfg, featured guest Keith Ridgway, Senior Manufacturing Executive at the University of Strathclyde talks to Jeff about the much-needed renaissance of the UK's Heavy Engineering capability. The discussion also highlights reshoring and the fantastic work being undertaken by the Advanced Forming Research Centre, AMRC, NMIS and Industry Wales. What are the impacts tod...

Featured Guest, Steve Banton – Channel Manager at ABB Robotics UK, joins Jeff to discuss the opportunities from Smart Manufacturing through Robotic Solution Integration. 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of ABB and also the 20th Anniversary of ABB Robotics UK. How important is collaboration between humans and robots in the modern manufacturing landscape, and what strategies do you re...

Featured guest, Rowan Crozier MBE - CEO of Brandauer joins Jeff to discuss how STEM is so important to the future of UK Manufacturing, how collaboration has enabled a new Tooling Academy in Telford and the benefits of the collective Manufacturing Assembly Network, along with other topics. Why is STEM so important to the future of UK Manufacturing? How can we achieve a strong pipeline of STEM talen...

#Insights4Mfg #UKManufacturing #SupportUKmfg #L:éadership #Management #ManufacturingPodcast Featured guest, Gary Sheader - Founder & MD of The Manufacturer's Alliance speaks with Jeff about how Manufacturing peer-to-peer groups can be a huge benefit for businesses seeking to overcome their challenges. Whether you have People, Process, Plant or Financial problems to solve, being able to speak t...

Featured guest, Andrew Large, Director General at the Confederation of Paper Industries, joins Jeff to discuss the importance of the UK's paper industry, the benefits and relevance of paper and cardboard products in an ever-increasing digital world, along with an overview of the sector and some of the opportunities and challenges. How important still are Paper and Cardboard these days? With growin...

'Tis the season to be jolly, said Clark W. Griswald in my favourite Christmas movie of all time (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) This year, for the final episode of #Insights4Mfg before Christmas, I wanted to end the season with a conversation on a topic that should be on everyone's mind, not just during the holiday season, but every day. That topic is JOY and it's something that can have a...

Featured guest, Steve Lawrence, Owner of Uncomplicated Group speaks to Jeff about the journey he's been on as an entrepreneur following his first acquisition of an injection moulding business. At the time of recording this podcast, Steve was in week ten of his tenure as a new business owner. Jeff finds out about the challenges involved, the learns, the wins, the excitement, the opportunities for t...

Featured guest, Tony Ryan - CEO at The Design & Technology Association speaks with Jeff about the gap between Education and Industry, why kids need a STEM curriculum that not only teaches them skills, but does it in a way that excites them and how Blueprint 1000 is a conduit between Education & Industry. Tony spent 7 years in Industry before spending over 30 years in Education as a Head of...

Featured guest, Angela Lawlor, Managing Director of Marvelous Manufacturing talks to Jeff about the link-up between Manufacturing businesses and schools and how a proactive and collaborative approach to encouraging more youngsters into the sector is vital. What are the challenges for Manufacturing businesses looking to engage with schools? What is the best way of communicating with youngsters abou...