Posted to News on 16th Sep 2016, 10:14
The future of UK manufacturing debated at the PPMA Total Show
The UK manufacturing industry looks to the future with baited breath following the results of the EU referendum. As the wider UK economy remains unpredictable, the results of the referendum could represent a unique opportunity for the manufacturing sector should businesses consider the tactical, short-term implications and realise the importance of maintaining a focus on long-term strategic planning.
According to KPMG's EU Referendum advisory, manufacturers should be buoyed by the possibility that in the long term this result could lead to new opportunities for their businesses. A drop in the value of the pound could make the UK a magnet for trade, especially with the UK government looking to build relationships with the rest of the world outside of Europe. In addition, the need to reshape trade policy may result in quicker decision making, and reduced red tape that has previously hampered manufacturing when looking to export goods.
Speaking about the future of the UK manufacturing sector, the Rt. Hon Lord Francis Maude, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment will join visitors at this year's PPMA Total Show to open the 2016 exhibition and deliver the opening address on both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Appearing on the PPMA Total seminar stage on the first day of the show (Tuesday 27 September) Lord Francis Maude will discuss the outcome of the recent EU referendum and reveal the future plans for the government's "Exporting is Great' campaign.
The PPMA Total Show 2016 will not only see headline speakers like the Rt. Hon Lord Francis Maude but a range of industry experts who can offer insight and advice on the future of the UK manufacturing industry. Also confirmed to speak at this year's PPMA Total Show, Emma De-Alwis, Hygiene Specialist at Campden BRI will highlight how contaminated food products and food hygiene problems that go undetected along the supply chain have a serious negative impact on the UK manufacturing industry. Addressing another highly topical issue for UK's food manufacturers, Claire Shrewsbury, Packaging Programme Manager for WRAP, will take to the stage to address the number of government programmes focusing on food and packaging waste that promote both environmental improvements and the cost benefits to industry, including current projects with GlassRite Wine, and the benefits of developing recycled food-grade PP processes.
Demonstrating innovations in manufacturing
Attendees to Hall 5 at the NEC in September can also find out more about trends and innovations taking the industry by storm. With returning exhibitors, including Bosch Packaging Technology, Schubert, and Festo, already confirmed to join the line-up, organisers are confident that the 2016 show will be bigger and better than ever before.
In fact, since the PPMA shows returned to the full control of the association in 2013, the size of its events has increased by circa 25 per cent year-on-year. The latest edition - PPMA Total 2016 - is already 50 per cent larger than the first show of the new regime in 2014. With over 400 exhibitors, the event has already firmly established itself as the industry event not to be missed, with 2016 set to be one of the biggest and highly anticipated events yet.
Also returning to the PPMA Total Show 2016, Rotech, designer and manufacturer of offline advanced carton feeding systems, will be launching its new coder. As pouch attributes, such as size, ease of opening, increased use of sustainable material and the ability to customise packs are driving more companies to switch from rigid packaging, Rotech is set to debut its double-speed coder. Rotech is also unveiling developments in its pouch feeding and coding system that can personalise codes at twice the speed of its current offering.
Debuting at the PPMA Total Show 2016, new exhibitors TIPA Sustainable Packaging will reveal its flexible food packaging that behaves just like an orange peel. TIPA, a developer and manufacturer of breakthrough bio-based, fully compostable, flexible packaging, will showcase its next generation of sustainable, flexible food packaging that provides the same properties as conventional plastic packaging. The team will be available on stand B92 to discuss the opportunities for food packaging that can be disposed along with food waste - in the food waste stream or by using a composter.
The PPMA Total Show 2016 runs from 27-29 September 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham. To register your attendance at the show please visit bit.ly/2aPFa22. For more information on the PPMA Total Show 2016, please visit www.ppmatotalshow.co.uk, or join the conversation on twitter @PPMATotalShow #PPMATotalShow or the PPMA Total Show LinkedIn page.
