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A positive start to 2011 for Manufacturing Technologies
Published:  02 February, 2011

Despite the short month and adverse weather, December results from the MTA’s monthly survey of members show increased order intake and invoiced sales in UK’s manufacturing technology sector, setting a positive tone for 2011.

Results of the MTA’s monthly survey show order intake increased by 10% in December, and invoiced sales grew nearly 60%, supporting recent data published by the British Chambers of Commerce, which showed that strong performance in the manufacturing sector during Q4 has helped boost the UK economy.

Not surprisingly, business confidence is on the increase; however a dip was seen in the quantity of inquiries over December. This apparently seasonal reduction in inquiries may be attributed to the shorter working month.

In regards to employment, the trend remains positive with a number of MTA members looking to recruit in the months ahead.

The launch of a new UK dedicated event for the maintenance sector, solely concerned with maintenance management, predictive maintenance and CMMS  - Plant & Asset Management 2012  - has been announced by PWE’s publisher DFA Media, organiser of the Drives and Controls, Air-Tech, IFPEX, Exhibitions, and Abbey Wood Marketing.

The show will be an opportunity for industry professionals to source the latest maintenance innovations and strategies.

Plant & Asset Management 2012 forms part of the co-location of events at the NEC, Birmingham between the 17-19 April 2012, alongside, MACH, Drives and Controls, Air-Tech, and The International Fluid Power Exhibition (IFPEX). Bringing these events together provides an integrated networking and exhibition platform for engineering decision makers that will be a highly focused environment with added value for the visitor. With over 30,000 visitors to the co-located shows in 2010, Plant & Asset Management 2012 ensures exhibitors reach the broadest cross-section of professionals possible.

Running alongside Plant & Asset Management will be a comprehensive programme

of technical seminars and workshops which covers a diverse range of topics that will be of interest and value to plant, maintenance and asset management professionals, as well as act as a networking opportunity for the exchange of ideas and experiences.  The sessions will be presented by industry experts from suppliers, trade associations or professional bodies and will include case studies from front line practitioners. Topics and sessions will include:

 

CMM & EAM - systems and applications

Condition Monitoring - theory and applications

Contracting & Outsourcing Management

Education & Training

Electrical Maintenance

Energy Management

Facilities & Premises Management

Health & Safety

Maintenance & Asset Management Strategies

Plant Engineering Management

Predictive Maintenance

Thermography

Attendance at the seminars will be FREE to exhibition visitors, who will be encouraged to book in advance to give speakers an idea of the number and diversity of the audiences they will be addressing.

Ryan Fuller, exhibition sales director at DFA Media commented on the launch: “This is an exciting opportunity for the UK maintenance sector to promote and share their wide knowledge base and diverse range of systems. Combined with the co-location and specialist seminar programme Plant & Asset Management 2012 will be a truly unique event not to be missed by anyone with a vested interest in maintenance.”

Darrell Moffatt, part of the sales team at Abbey Wood Marketing added: “As the UK comes out of the deepest recession in living memory, there are encouraging signs that it is being led by a resurgent manufacturing sector.  Only companies that have ensured that their physical assets - the plant and machinery on which their businesses depend - are fit for purpose will benefit from the upturn.  The Plant & Asset Management Exhibition 2012, will deliver maintenance and asset management solutions that will enable UK manufacturing industry to take advantage of the opportunities offered by both established and emerging economies throughout the world.”

The show also has the support of key sector organisations, including the British Compressed Air Society, and the Institution of Diagnostic Engineers.