Boost your knowledge at Northern Manufacturing & Electronics

A key feature of the show, the seminar programme runs over both days and is open to all visitors and exhibitors. Over the last five years, hundreds of delegates have benefited from expert insights into many aspects of modern industrial enterprise, from leading-edge technology and business practices, to the latest regulations.

The programme for 2017 sees the return of several of the most popular presenters and topics of previous years, plus some new sessions on forthcoming regulations and legislation that will likely affect many engineering businesses over the course of coming year.

Advanced manufacturing and Industry 4.0 are subjects that attract wide interest from every sector of manufacturing. Alistair Williamson, Managing Director of Manchester-based Lucid Innovation, provides an introduction to how connected networks of objects offer opportunities to collect, exchange and exploit the value of data in more efficient and sustainable ways. A key takeaway from the session will be simple techniques to check whether the Internet of Things (IoT) really adds value to your business and some ideas for making the right choice of technology. Rob Pitts of leading 3D printing experts Tri-Tech 3D will give an overview of the seemingly limitless applications that are being discovered for this new technology across all manufacturing sectors. Case studies illustrate new opportunities it could open for you.

As a management tool, Lean has something to offer every business wishing to eliminate waste and maximise performance. Presenter Tim Scurlock spearheaded the introduction of Lean concepts into General Motors' business over a 10-year period. Since founding his own consultancy in 2011, Tim has worked with a wide variety of manufacturing and service businesses to remove waste, standardise process and increase quality and responsiveness. Through case study examples, delegates will identify some of the methods, tools and concepts to successfully introduce Lean and the pitfalls to watch out for.

Improving efficiency and profitability

Further insight into improving efficiency and profitability is offered by Ailsa Kaye, Managing Director of Onsite Insights. Established in 2004 around a core team drawn from the DTI's successful 20-year Inside UK Enterprise programme, Onsite Insights delivers a range of regional and national visit programmes, events, workshops and study tours. Delegates will gain first-hand insight into the factors behind the success of some of the UK's best companies.

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which come into effect next May, will have a profound effect on how data is managed and used. Nearly all businesses will be affected in some way by the new regulations, which carry severe penalties for non-compliance. Yet, over one-third of UK businesses remain unaware of the new law or what they need to do. Sessions running on both days of Northern Manufacturing 2017 will attempt to address this potentially disastrous knowledge gap, briefing delegates on how different organisations will be affected and how can you make sure your company is fully prepared for the introduction of GDPR. This one session alone would make a visit to the show worthwhile!

Admission to Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2017 is free and EventCity offers 3000 free onsite car park spaces. Access by public transport is also very easy from Manchester city centre. All seminar sessions at Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2017 are free, but pre-registration is strongly urged. Full details on all sessions and how to register can be found at www.industrynorth.co.uk.