Crucial issues came under microscope at Big Manufacturing Debate

THE effect of a potential Brexit, productivity, the skills agenda and the opportunities from the fourth industrial revolution were the key topics at the Big Manufacturing Debate in Sheffield.
More than 100 people from across the sector came to TheBusinessDesk.com event, in association with law firm Squire Patton Boggs, held at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
It was the culmination of a year-long project that has examined the issues and opportunities facing the region’s manufacturers, and complemented projects in the North West and Midlands.
The Yorkshire Manufacturing Review , published last year, analysed the region’s manufacturing sector as it was in 2015 and this event sought to update some of those areas, including the attitude towards a European referendum and the outlook for manufacturers, who have collectively seen a slowdown in recent months.
[VIDEO: 923]The panel members were Jane Robinson, director at Cutting Technologies, Curtis Furniture director Phil Ball, former Sheffield MP Richard Caborn, who played a key role in the development of the AMRC, EEF regional director Andy Tuscher and Prof Timothy Devinney from Leeds University Business School.
Alex Turner, editor of TheBusinessDesk.com who chaired the Big Manufacturing Debate, said: “It was a really lively and engaging debate, with a first-class panel.
“The issues discussed are of crucial importance, not just to manufacturing companies in Yorkshire but also to the health and direction of the regional economy as a whole.”
The two-hour session at the AMRC debated a wide range of issues, from the impact of a vote to leave Europe on tariffs and on the labour market, to the geographic challenges of persuading would-be apprentices to travel to Barnsley. There were also lively discussions on the role of the education sector, the media and politicians in shaping and promoting manufacturing.
 
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