FANUC UK reveals more details about its inaugural Open House

The three-day event, which takes place 29-31 October, will see each day focus on a specific theme:

• Tuesday 29 October: Training and upskilling;
• Wednesday 30 October: Overcoming the barriers to automation;
• Thursday 31 October: The future of automation
• digitalisation & IoT

On the opening day, two presentations on the importance of training and education will be delivered. Ben Blackledge, Deputy CEO at WorldSkills UK, will host the morning session, while David Hughes MBE, Deputy Director of Apprenticeships at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), will be drawing on his 20 years' experience in professional development in manufacturing to deliver the afternoon slot.

On the second day, Wednesday 30 October, the focus will shift to perceived barriers to automation and how manufacturers can overcome them. In recent weeks, the Government has faced fresh calls to improve the adoption of automation in the UK, following a recent report from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS). Two panel discussions will take place on Wednesday, with guests including Mike Sykes, Automation Manager at Yamazaki Mazak UK and BARA Council member, Bob Hinchcliffe.

The third and final day of the event will look to the future of automation, with Rugby MP and BEIS Committee member Mark Pawsey discussing the UK's industrial strategy and how robotics and automation is viewed. In addition, FANUC Europe's Executive Vice President, Mr Hiroyuki Harada, will lead a second morning session, while European Technical Support Manager, Craig Taylor, will be discussing the company's approach to digitisation and the Internet of Things in the afternoon.

Hosted at FANUC's UK headquarters in Coventry, the event is open to professionals across UK industry to understand how automation can improve productivity in manufacturing. The Open House will also provide networking opportunities for those visiting, as well as the chance to look at a number of exhibitor stands. In total, 19 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest in technology and high quality products, including Renishaw, Endoline, Mazak and WorldSkills.

Tom Bouchier, UK Managing Director of FANUC, adds: "The Open House has been arranged to help UK manufacturers understand the full potential that automation has to offer. Not only can it help improve productivity, but it can also stimulate market growth and help us to create a new wave of skilled workers which will support the UK's manufacturing market."

Covering the various benefits of adopting automation into a range of sectors, including automotive, food & beverage and pharmaceutical, registration to Open House is available via this link.