Manufacturing boss hits back at automation ‘threat’

THE boss of a West Midlands manufacturing firm hit back at a recent report that claims automation could threaten a third of UK jobs.

Tony Hague, managing director of Cheslyn Hay-based PP Electrical Systems, takes the view that the country’s failure to embrace the benefits of new technology and ‘robotics’ has seen it fall behind its European neighbours and contributed to factories closing and jobs being lost.

He points to the success of industry in Germany as an example of how automation can reduce manufacturing costs and improve competitive advantage.

“In recent years, the UK has slowly but surely been waking up to the fact that automation doesn’t have to be a dirty word,” he said.

“We can’t get away from the fact that we already drive cars and watch TVs that have been assembled by robots. However, has this resulted in mass unemployment in automotive or consumer electronics?

“No, in fact they have grown and evolved, creating thousands of jobs directly and in the supply chains that support them.

“What is certain is that a lack of awareness and investment in automation – in parallel with a similar approach to training – will result in UK companies losing their competitive advantage against international rivals. And we all know where this ends…in factory closures and unemployment.”

PP Electrical Systems provides electrical control and automation systems, supplying some of the world’s largest machinery manufacturers in industry sectors such as machine tool, food and drink, medical, packaging and renewables.

It has invested more than £1m in automation during a period in which sales revenue has grown 400% to more than £17m and the workforce has more than doubled from 85 to 180.

The company now plans to double the size of the business again, with a factory extension planned in 2015 and further investment in automation.