Centenary in industrial automation marked.

Representatives of British manufacturing gathered in force in June marking the centenary of Festo. The event, held at Festo GB’s Innovation Centre in Northampton, was an ideal opportunity for industry organisations, customers, suppliers, and employees to discuss how automation will shape British manufacturing in the future.

Dr Sebastian Beck, Festo, John Pearce, Made in Britain, Ben Blackledge, CEO Worldskills UK and Professor Mike Wilson, MTC,

Guest speakers included John Pearce, CEO, Made in Britain, Ben Blackledge, CEO, Worldskills UK, Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer, Manufacturing Technology Centre, and Dr Sebastian Beck, Festo Board Member for Finance and HR. Key themes included the importance of innovation and collaboration, attracting new talent and skills development, and investment in automation in the context of British manufacturing and the global economy.

Skills shortages and an aging workforce are challenges that automation can solve, according to Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer, Manufacturing Technology Centre. He emphasised the transformative potential of automation as a means to revitalise productivity and stimulate growth, drive innovation and efficiency, and encourage a more dynamic and progressive approach to change. “We must invest in more automation if we want to retain our competitive edge,” he told the audience. “Britain is still the world’s 12th largest economy, but we only average 119 robots per 10,000 employees. We must treble this figure just to stand still, let alone catch up with countries like the U.S. and Denmark. If we matched the levels of automation that exist in our competing countries, we could increase UK productivity by 22 percent.”

Festo’s Dr Sebastian Beck then explained how the company’s original motto, “one mission, many hands”, had set the foundation for a business based on teamwork and collaboration. He traced Festo’s early interest in internationalisation and enthusiasm for technology that resulted in the development of many unique automation solutions, from a semi-automated cylinder-valve combination in 1955, through to modern valve terminals, electric automation and the adoption of piezo technology to improve energy efficiency.

He then announced that Festo is close to launching its next innovation, an open architecture automation platform.

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