UK MANUFACTURING Technology Bloodhound Project

Synoptic concepts Links between technological change, innovation and productivity (automation) How investment in technological innovation (product and process) can be source of competitive advantage for UK manufacturers Innovation as an opportunity (3D printing, nanotech, etc) Technological change and globalisation – impact on manufacturing location & organisation Financing technological change – is the UK an effective base for raising capital?

Key Terms & themes Automation – use or introduction of automatic equipment in a manufacturing or other process or facility GSK factory Productivity - effectiveness of productive effort as measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input 3D printing – process for making a physical object from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by laying down many successive thin layers of a material Mass customisation – products are adapted to meet a customer's individual needs, so no two items are the same

Key factors driving technological change in manufacturing Need for significant boost in efficiency, safety and resource sustainability Rising labour costs (e.g. in China) are pushing greater automation there Digital factory modelling is reducing product design errors and speeding up "time to market"; 3D printing also reducing the time and cost of prototyping and enabling print-on-demand for high-cost components Machinery & tools need to have greater flexibility Increased processing power & sophisticated software

How is UK manufacturing doing? Manufacturing productivity has risen as employment has fallen Labour-intensive sectors (e.g. textiles, electronic assembly) have shrunk significantly in the face of globalisation and offshoring UK automotive sector demonstrates benefit of investing in technology and productive efficiency; now well positioned to exploit opportunity for green energy UK manufacturing base much smaller and more focused on higher-added value segments (aerospace, pharmaceuticals, precision engineering) UK falling behind other countries in terms of R&D investment and automation

Key examples to research Dyson: £1.5bn investment in long-term innovation announced Nov14 Rolls-Royce: world-class engine innovation; but also rationalisation to maintain efficiency BAE: high investment in R&D and effective use of 3D printing to reduce component costs GSK / AstraZeneca: highest investors in R&D in UK manufacturing = global pharmaceutical success High Value-Added Manufacturing Catapult Centre – e.g. of Govt. policy encouraging tech innovation Siemens - £30m investment in wind turbine technology centre in Hull UK automotive – global leaders in green energy (e.g. Toyota hybrid engines; Nissan Leaf

Possible lines of analysis & evaluation Tech change is both a source of competitive advantage (through R&D and innovation) as well as a threat. The digitisation of manufacturing is fundamentally changing the economics and location of where manufacturing is carried out. Can a successful UK manufacturer now expect to succeed without heavy investment in technology? What role can Govt play in providing incentives for UK manufacturers to invest much more in technology? The track record so far is not very encouraging.

Essay question Drawing on your own research, to what extent is investment in technology the key to growth in British manufacturing?