SMAS Future Manufacturing Conference

24 October 2017 - 24 October 2017

The world of manufacturing is experiencing a paradigm shift as rapid advances in artificial intelligence, data analytics, sensors & robotics and additive manufacturing transform the way we design, build and sell our products and services, while new business models open up opportunities to grow additional revenue streams and profits.

With manufacturing at a crossroads of challenges and opportunities, how will these smart technologies give your business competitive advantage, improve productivity, shorten product development cycles and produce products as efficiently and cost effectively as possible?  What will it mean for your workforce as the number of routine jobs decrease, while the number of higher value jobs grows?  And how do you create and evaluate the business case for investment?

We at SMAS are part of a cohesive network of support to help businesses understand, implement and benefit from all that Industry 4.0 has to offer to produce better, smarter products and get you to market quicker and more efficiently.

The Future Manufacturing Conference has drawn together a wealth of expertise and support under one roof to help you cut through the hype and navigate solutions to future-proof your business.  The diverse agenda features:

  • world-leading speakers
  • industry case studies
  • panel discussions
  • mentor clinics
  • solution providers and demonstrations in the technology zone
  • generous networking breaks

The day is structured to provide a plethora of practical support and advice on how you get your business and your people primed to successfully compete in this new world order.

Click here to read the Manufacturing Action Plan for Scotland.

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Themes

The Future Manufacturing Conference 2017 will focus on four key themes during the packed one-day programme:

Technology in Manufacturing – investing in a factory fit for the future with automation, augmented & virtual reality, sensors, additive manufacturing and cloud computing.  Utilising these technologies will allow manufacturers to become more efficient and more scalable, while at the same time freeing up the workforce to focus on higher value add activities.

Data Analytics – providing manufacturers with unprecedented insights into manufacturing performance, customer behaviour and new product development by gathering and analysing data from every stage of the manufacturing and distribution process to improve efficiency, drive down costs and make better business decisions.

New Business Models – servitisation, collaboration, re-manufacturing/circular economy – all afford manufacturers the opportunity to grow revenues and profits, ie a customer paying on a ‘per usage’ basis rather than outright capex or a gas boiler automatically summoning a maintenance engineer in event of malfunction.  Think of beer made out of leftover bread or leasing lighting instead of buying bulbs.

Preparing your Workforce for Industry 4.0 – fostering significant changes in how employees will perform their jobs.  Entirely new job families will be created while others become obsolete and the number of physically demanding or routine jobs will decrease, while the number of higher value jobs requiring flexible responses, problem solving, and customization will increase.

Event Address:

Gogarburn
Edinburgh
United Kingdom

Event Organiser:

Scottish Enterprise