PRESS RELEASE
Release date: 3rd
May 2016
Manufacturing giants unite to accelerate sector
towards Industry 4.0
If the global manufacturing sector is to catapult itself into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, businesses need to stop viewing it as a technology upgrade and instead initiate a fundamental change in their business models.
That’s a view that will be discussed by manufacturing businesses including Rolls Royce, ABB, Airbus, GE Europe, and Hilti, who are coming together for the Manufacturing Forum organised by The Economist Events, aimed at examining how manufacturing businesses can begin the radical transformation towards Industry 4.0.
The Manufacturing Forum 2016 takes place on June 16 at Coombe Abbey Hotel in Coventry, UK, and combines a tour of The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) nearby. The forum brings together top business leaders engaged in the quest to digitise and transform the global manufacturing industry. A recent report from PwC has revealed that the leading proponent of Industry 4.0, Germany, currently sees investment of more than €40 billion per year into research and development projects, resulting in an increase in revenue streams of more than 12.5%. Other nations are still lagging behind with many manufacturing organisations still unsure of the steps they need to take in order to advance closer to the factory of the future.
Martin Rainer, VP and GM for Manufacturing Sector, from Hewlett Packard Enterprise, who are sponsoring the event, explained: “Until relatively recently, tried and tested ways of working have served the industry well. But now, as many well-established businesses are finding out fast, manufacturing is no longer simply about making and selling products. It’s about integrating end-to-end operations across the entire enterprise ecosystem to anticipate what customers want, quicker and cheaper than the competition.
“Hewlett Packard Enterprise calls this digital revolution ‘Connected Manufacturing’. It’s how we describe this new era of manufacturing, where everything is connected – operational technology, information technology, communications and consumer technologies.”
At the core of Connected Manufacturing is the acceleration of digital technologies, which are transforming people, processes and products. The increasing drive for manufacturing businesses to adopt service-based business models to achieve financial sustainability, and operational scalability, is a fundamental shift required for Industry 4.0. It’s a transition famously experienced by Rolls Royce, which introduced a complete engine and accessory replacement service on a fixed-cost-per-flying-hour basis, more than fifty years ago. As the business has continued to evolve, it is witnessing first-hand the growing collaboration between man and machine, and will be exploring both the opportunities and the threats associated with digitisation.
Also on the agenda is a panel
discussion led by Airbus on how manufacturers can strike a balance between
protecting the core business and investing in new initiatives, a discussion led
by Hilti on the digital tricks and tools that manufacturers already have at
their disposal to boost efficiencies, and an exploration of emerging
manufacturing business models, led by GE Europe. ABB and Hewlett Packard
Enterprise will also lead a conversation about digitisation priorities for the
manufacturing of tomorrow. The exciting line-up will be preceded by a tour of the UK Manufacturing Technology Centre, an integral part
of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which is supported by Innovate UK.
- ENDS –
About Hewlett Packard Enterprise:
Pictured: Martin Rainer, VP & GM Manufacturing
Industry Hewlett Packard Enterprises
Hamid Mughal, Manufacturing Director Rolls Royce
Hewlett Packard Enterprise is an industry leading
technology company that enables customers to go further, faster. With the
industry’s most comprehensive portfolio, spanning the cloud to the data center
to workplace applications, our technology and services help customers around
the world make IT more efficient, more productive and more secure.
For over 30 years we have been working with manufacturers
to drive transformation, innovation and growth. Our ethos is ‘further
together’. We combine collaborative people, empowering technology and
transformative ideas so manufacturing businesses can thrive in the modern
world. Also as a manufacturer ourselves, we know what it takes to become an
agile and progressive business
HPE’s Connected Manufacturing solutions powered by four
transformation areas – hybrid infrastructure, analytics, security and mobility
- work in harmony with each other, connecting your suppliers, engineers,
production teams, customers and consumers seamlessly – allowing you to stay
ahead of the competition.
For
further information, please contact: