Manufacturing leaders due at key Coventry event today

SOME of Europe’s leading experts on the digital revolution sweeping through manufacturing industry will join government figures at a high-powered conference being held in Coventry today.

Industry 4.0 – the digitising and automation of the factory and supply chain – has been described as the biggest change in manufacturing industry since the introduction of the first robots.

The Manufacturing Technology Centre is holding an event at the Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry, aimed at explaining Industry 4.0 and its benefits for manufacturers.

Entitled “From Industry 4.0 to Digital Manufacturing – an End-User Perspective” the event will be attended by industrialists from all over the UK and Europe.

Among those attending will be Martin Donnelly, permanent secretary in the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, the German Ambassador to the UK Dr Peter Ammon, Prof Jan Jürjens of European research organisation Fraunhofer, Anne-Marie Sassen, deputy head of complex systems and advanced computing at the European Commission, Laura Smith of the CBI, Dennis Barrier of Bosch Rexroth and other senior representatives of British, German and Italian industry.

The MTC’s Dr Lina Huertas said: “The conversation so far has been dominated by the technology and software providers and many manufacturers feel they have been left out.

“They don’t see the benefits, they fear the risks, and they don’t know who to turn to for reliable information and support.

“This event addresses that shortfall, aimed specifically at SMEs, manufacturers and end-users – those who will be most affected by this digital industrial revolution.”

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