APMG Hosts Juergen Maier at ‘Industrial Digitalisation Summit’

On the evening of Wednesday 6th December, the APMG was proud to host an ‘Industrial Digitalisation Summit’ in the Houses of Parliament, to discuss with manufacturing sector figures, parliamentarians, and policymakers how the UK can lead the 4th Industrial Revolution.

We were extremely proud to host Prof Juergen Maier, chief executive of Siemens UK and author of the government’s ‘Made Smarter Review‘. The session was hosted by the co-chairs of the APMG, Chris Green MP and Barry Sheerman MP and was attended by MPs and peers from across the political parties. In a panel discussion chaired by Dr George Dibb, we were pleased to also host other leaders in the sector; Dr Lina Huertas, Head of Technology Strategy for Digital Manufacturing at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC); James Selka Chief Executive of the Manufacturing Technologies Association; Liam Byrne MP Shadow Minister for Digital Economy, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hodge Hill.

In a wide discussion, including both the Made Smarter Review and the government’s recently released Industrial Strategy white paper, our panellists covered the many ways in which new innovations in digital manufacturing will affect the sector. In addition, with an audience packed with manufacturers from across the sector, the question and answer with the panel focussed on the twin challenges of implementing new technologies, as well as revolutionising manufacturing’s image in the UK and internationally. A key challenge which was discussed at length was how SME’s can be incentivised to adopt new technologies in an already challenging environment.

As the event was held just a week after the government published the Industrial Strategy White Paper, there was also extensive discussion of how the government’s new interventionist strategy has the potential to transform the way technologies are adopted across the industry, maintaining the UK’s position as a world-leading economy and increasing our national productivity. However, our panellists all expressed disappointment that Industrial Digitalisation had not been offered a sector deal in the first tranche released in the white paper.

The event was kindly sponsored by the Manufacturing Technologies Association and the panel discussion was followed by a wine and canapes reception where parliamentarians were able to network with APMG members and manufacturers.