Press Release: 18 November 2005

Measuring, monitoring and managing - the buzzwords of 21st century Welsh manufacturing

Welsh manufacturing continues to face economic challenges as worldwide consumer trends change, driving key industries overseas in search of more "cost effective" productivity. A current hot topic in the industry is that of rising utility costs, and the cost savings that can be made by measuring and monitoring energy consumption and production costs.

The event "Made in Wales: Redefining Manufacturing in the 21st Century" was held in Waterton Technology Centre, Bridgend on 18 November 2005 as part of the ict forum wales 2005 events programme, to demonstrate to delegates some of the problems faced by manufacturers, and available solutions.

David Moore of the Carbon Trust set the scene, saying that a 20 cut in energy costs is equivalent to a 5 increase in sales on the bottom line. While energy efficiency is good for the environment, and good for company image, Moore acknowledged that it requires discipline.

Paul Bailey of the Manufacturing Advisory Service told delegates that although much had been made in the media of the state of the manufacturing industry in Wales, the rate of decline in Wales was in fact slower than anywhere else in the UK. There are currently 12,500 manufacturing businesses in Wales employing 180,000 people or 16 of the Welsh workforce.

Ken Gale of Expert Monitoring demonstrated his company’s technologies via case studies which showed significant energy and cost savings brought about by effective monitoring and management. In one example, a large bakery firm using Expert Monitoring’s WiSNET wireless transmitters and controllers discovered that staff leaving equipment on over weekends was costing 10,500 per year.

Gash Bhullar of Control 2K upheld this point stating, "If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it." Bhullar then launched Control 2K’s new product MONEBOX, a non intrusive data collection system which can be used for a variety of purposes. Bhullar and his team carried out a series of impressive demonstrations of MONEBOX including power monitoring, stock control and process monitoring, finishing with a demonstration of a low stock warning sent by SMS.

Bhullar brought the event to a close saying, "Technology adds value, it doesn’t replace common sense."

ict forum wales 2005 is organised by ITWales in collaboration with Swansea University and the University of Wales Bangor. The programme is supported by the Welsh Development Agency and part financed by the European Social Fund.

For further information and interviews please contact Sali Earls, ict forum wales press office, tel: 01792 513382, or email: info@itwales.com.

Useful Links:
ITWales - www.itwales.com
Welsh Development Agency - www.wda.co.uk
Control 2K - www.control2k.co.uk
Carbon Trust - www.thecarbontrust.co.uk
Manufacturing Advisory Service - www.mas.dti.gov.uk
Expert Monitoring - www.expertmon.com