With more than 20 years’ experience, Oliver is a longstanding and vocal supporter of the UK automation sector, and of manufacturing more widely. In his role as Chair, he plans to drive the association’s activities forward, supporting BARA’s aim to increase automation uptake while placing members’ needs firmly front and centre.

Peter Williamson, CEO of Automate UK, said: “Oliver is an influential voice within the industry; his passion for all things manufacturing, automation adoption and future skills, will be a key factor in developing BARA alongside the existing committee, and with the full support of Automate UK.”

One of Oliver’s key pledges is to ensure the association delivers real value to its members. As it has been reported that the UK is still behind the rest of the world when it comes to automation adoption, so communicating the myriad benefits that automation can bring, is key to increasing uptake; highlighting how automation can alleviate manufacturers’ key challenges by helping to mitigate labour shortages, increase productivity, boost sustainability credentials, and cut operational costs.

Oliver said, “I am excited to bring my knowledge, influence and passion for automation to a wider audience, and will be fully focused on delivering value to all facets of the BARA membership and other stakeholders – from OEM robot manufacturers and system integrators to companies in the supply chain, academic institutions and High Value Manufacturing Catapults.

“However, it is also important to understand the challenges that manufacturers – particularly SMEs – are facing. At BARA, we will strive to offer the right tools to manufacturers of all sizes, to ensure they can make the right automation choice for their business, with the right partners, and with the right technology, to futureproof their manufacturing operations as risk-free as possible.”

Visit the BARA website for more information

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In his keynote speech, Mike Loughran, Director of Intelligent Devices, Software & Control Business – EMEA North Region at Rockwell Automation, will explore how companies can quickly and easily deploy emerging technologies to support your smart manufacturing goals, whilst helping you overcome some of the challenges facing UK manufacturing.

His speech on Tuesday 19 June will provide a fascinating insight on how to get you started on your smart manufacturing journey, so you can benefit from:

• Enhancing efficiency
• Reducing costs
• Increasing competitiveness
• Addressing skills gaps
• Launching new products

Delivered by a wide range of industry leading speakers, the Automation UK seminar programme is packed with content, providing you with a wealth of learnings and information to take away and explore how they can be incorporated into your business.

If you’re thinking about introducing automation into your business, the webinar will delve into the benefits of automation. Session chair Gail Hunt will probe a panel of automation specialists on why we should automate our production processes.

• Key topics to be discussed include:
• How you can streamline your process
• Using automation to improve efficiency and
• Driving down operational costs with the use of automation

Click here to register for the webinar

Visit the BARA website for more information

With just over a month to go until the doors open at the Coventry Building Society Arena, anticipation for the new show is building. Taking place from 20-21 June 2023, the event highlights the latest products, developments and solutions in robotics and automation, with solutions on display for visitors to improve efficiency and productivity in their operation.

Owned and organised in conjunction with BARA, the event is designed to promote the use of, and assist in the development of, industrial robots and automation in British industry. Being owned by the industry, for the benefit of the industry, means there are many BARA members exhibiting – each showcasing their latest products and services, with experts on hand to offer advice and support.

Big names exhibiting include ABB, CKF, Fanuc, Festo, Kuka Robotics, Mills CNC, Piab, Pilz Automation, RM Group, Schubert and Yaskawa. Joining them will be nearly 40 other companies all active in the sector and looking to raise their profiles and generate new business.

Some of the speakers taking to the stage at the event are drawn from these founding exhibitors. They include Josh Roberts of Festo, who will be discussing how to select the optimal motion technology for specific applications. Joining him will be Oliver Selby and Satty Cole, both of Fanuc, who will talk about reducing the skills gap to support growth in automation adoption, while Jason Reed, of Pilz, will address changes to machinery safety legislation and what this means for the industry. Also confirmed is Dr Martin Kidman, of Sick, who will talk about safety in industrial and collaborative robots.

The market intelligence offered by such experts will be crucial in helping visitors to the exhibition identify the latest emerging technology trends within the industrial automation and robotics industry. More importantly, it will help provide businesses with a competitive edge when they come to devise future strategies for success.

Confirmed as keynote speaker for the event is Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), a trade group representing more than 1,000 global companies involved in associations focused on robotics, machine vision, motion control and motors and related technologies. Burnstein is an expert on the impact of automation on jobs as well as the future of automation, and has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg News, BBC, as well as in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and other leading media outlets and publications.

Co-located with Automation UK is the UKIVA’s Machine Vision Conference (MVC), a well-established and successful machine vision confex event. This means visitors to Automation UK will also be able to cross-over and see the latest developments in industrial vision and imaging systems.

Visitors signing up for MVC are also free to attend the Automation UK speaker programme.

Recognising the vast potential of automation and robotics to British industry, BARA’s aim in establishing Automation UK is to shine a spotlight on the disruptive technologies and to highlight their true value to the wider economy. Automation UK also promises to be the largest annual gathering of industry experts under one roof in the UK.

The event has been specially designed for businesses operating in the automation and robotics markets. Showcasing the latest products and services, the show will feature live demonstrations of the latest machines.

Visitors attending the event will be able to see live working demonstrations of the latest automation and robotics technology, helping them make informed investment decisions on their next machine.

Visitor registration for this free-to-attend event is now open, and the strong numbers suggest it is proving an attractive prospect for the industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet new suppliers, learn about new technology and new techniques as well as explore how this rapidly developing sector can help improve their business efficiency, productivity and accuracy.

Both the BARA and UKIVA are members of the PPMA group of trade associations. The PPMA is the UK trade association for suppliers of processing and packaging machinery to both the domestic and overseas markets. With more than 550 member companies, the association’s principal objective is to help members sell more products and services through the PPMA Group’s various exhibitions, publications and training.

Visit the BARA website for more information

Taking place at the Coventry Building Society Arena, between 20-21 June 2023, the unique event highlights the latest products, developments and solutions in robotics and automation, with solutions on display for visitors to improve efficiency and productivity in their operation.

Owned and organised in conjunction with BARA, the event is designed to promote the use of, and assist in the development of, industrial robots and automation in British industry. Being owned by the industry, for the benefit of the industry, means there are many BARA members exhibiting – each showcasing their latest products and services, with experts on hand to offer advice and support.

Big names exhibiting include ABB, CKF, FANUC, Festo, KUKA Robotics, Mills CNC, Piab, Pilz Automation, RM Group, Schubert and Yaskawa. Joining them will be nearly 40 other companies all active in the sector and looking to raise their profiles and generate new business.

Oliver Selby, head of sales at Fanuc UK said: “The Fanuc UK team is delighted to be a founding exhibitor at Automation UK. As evidenced by the increase in enquiries we are receiving, there is a real need for a dedicated automation and robotics show such as this. We’ve been a longstanding member of BARA and are proud to support them in helping to raise the profile of automation among UK manufacturers, showcasing the wide-ranging benefits it can deliver.”

Co-located with Automation UK is the UKIVA’s Machine Vision Conference (MVC), a well-established and successful machine vision confex event. This means visitors to Automation UK will also be able to cross-over and see the latest developments in industrial vision and imaging systems.

Recognising the vast potential of automation and robotics to British industry, BARA’s aim in establishing Automation UK is to shine a spotlight on the disruptive technologies and to highlight their true value to the wider economy. Automation UK also promises to be the largest annual gathering of industry experts under one roof in the UK.

The event has been specially designed for businesses operating in the automation and robotics markets. Showcasing the latest products and services, the show will feature live demonstrations of the latest machines.

Visitors attending the event will be able to see live working demonstrations of the latest automation and robotics technology, helping them make informed investment decisions on their next machine.

Visitor registration for this free-to-attend event is now open, and the strong numbers suggest it is proving an attractive prospect for the industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet new suppliers, learn about new technology and new techniques as well as explore how this rapidly developing sector can help improve their business efficiency, productivity and accuracy.

Face to face meetings will allow visitors to clearly convey the complexities and challenges they face in their own operation. With multiple suppliers, technicians, experts, advisory bodies and advocates all under one roof, a day spent at Automation UK, finding out more about these exciting, transformative technologies, will save a visitor hours of internet trawling and weeks of arranging meetings.

A vibrant seminar programme, located in the arena’s exhibition hall and led by BARA, will deliver a range of informative, content-led topics around the opportunities of automating equipment, processes and systems as well as the benefits this highly repeatable and reliable process can bring to a visitors business.

Mark Stepney, managing director of Schubert UK and a PPMA board member, said: “Automation UK and MVC will be the largest annual event in the UK to showcase leading robotic and vision suppliers. Its legitimacy is underlined by the backing of two leading industry associations – BARA and UKIVA – and will be an event not to be missed.

“Aside from being able to view live demonstrations of the latest machines, talk to exhibitors face-to-face and gain the latest market intelligence from industry experts, we have a very competitive offer for exhibitors and one we believe they will find very attractive, not least because the show is open to all suppliers and prospective purchasers.”

Both the BARA and UKIVA are members of the PPMA group of trade associations. The PPMA is the UK trade association for suppliers of processing and packaging machinery to both the domestic and overseas markets. With more than 550 member companies, the association’s principal objective is to help members sell more products and services through the PPMA Group’s various exhibitions, publications and training.

Visit the BARA website for more information

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The webinar will be held on 15 November 2022 at 2:00pm, with a panel of experts including Ross Lacey of RARUK Automation, Paul Smith of RM Group, Matt Rollins of ABB Robotics, George Brown of Omron and Andy Macfadyen of Iconsys.

Click here for more information and to register for the webinar

Visit the BARA website for more information

See all stories for BARA

The certification scheme is the benchmark to assess robot integrators’ technical knowledge and safety practices The UK scheme was born out of the need to standardise integrators’ quality and workmanship, plus recognise effective safety controls to help give companies a competitive edge.

Rosie Davies, director of RMGroup UK, said: “We are delighted to be the first integrator to achieve certification in the UK. It demonstrates RMGroup’s ability to deliver systems as per the required technical expectations. It also assures end users that our expert programming team has the skillset to undertake a variety of integration projects.

“The audit process was thorough, which gave us a great deal of confidence to know that we meet all the key performance and safety indicators from two reputable trade bodies.

“To have an independent register of certified robot integrators is vital for companies that are looking to automate, as it serves to verify customer reference sites and recommendations. We would certainly recommend the certification scheme to other UK integrators,” added Davies.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Hadall, principal auditor for RIA (Robotic Industries Association) and BARA in the UK, said: “Integrators need to demonstrate that they are committed to providing the best service possible for their customers. The audit looks at the integrator’s technical approach, their project management processes, and how they ensure their system safety, service facilities and staff competencies all operate to the highest standards.

“RMGroup’s expert technologists were audited on an ABB IRB460 robot to prove their proficiency using the robot safely, its functionality and creating a programme based on a palletising operation.

“I was really impressed how seriously the team at RMGroup took the audit, which included having the evidence and staff available to back up the self-assessment scorecard they completed prior to formal audit. It ensured the audit went smoothly,” added Hadall.

All companies certified under the RIA/BARA Robot Integrators’ Certification Scheme are re-quired to be re-audited every two years using the same 25-point list of measurable criteria. Therefore, choosing an independently audited integrator means that the risk to the end-user making the investment is reduced.

Visit the BARA website for more information

The growing trend is reflected across the UK manufacturing sector too, which has seen demand for industrial and collaborative robots increase during the Coronavirus pandemic.

As robot manufacturers, suppliers and integrators adjust to calls for new applications and workplace solutions, BARA has assembled a panel of association and industry experts to unearth the real ‘Safety Benefits of Robots for Dangerous Tasks and Environments’, which are helping to boost productive and keep workers out of harm’s way.

Representatives from BARA, Jeremy Hadall (senior automation engineer/auditor) and Andrew Mason (sales manager, RARUK Automation), will be joined by Samuel Bouchard – CEO, Robotiq, John Glover – director, Glover Associated and Consulting, and Phil Scott – MD, FDC Automation (part of The Filter Design Company), will discuss the safety aspects of industrial robots and be on hand to answer your questions.

You can now register for this FREE-to-attend, 90-minute (with live Qs&As) virtual BARA roundtable to learn what sectors can benefit the most to automate challenging tasks. Panellists will also assess what opportunities are open to typically low adopters of robot technology, and the potential return on investment to help mitigate risk.

For more information on future roundtable and industry events, go to: www.bara.org.uk.

Mike Wilson Chairman of BARA said: “whilst this is good news and the automotive sector has unsurprisingly generated most of these sales, we are witnessing only a modest upward trend over the last few years in the uptake of automation and robotics across other sectors. The Pharmaceutical industry being the strongest with growth of 116% over last year’s result and food and drink rising by 28%.”

Grant Collier, head of marketing for BARA, and responsible for the Automating Manufacturing programme – a government initiative to persuade UK companies to automate and remain competitive, said: “we have seen a tremendous level of interest from all sectors for the use of automation but in particular 37% of the total 367 applications received came from the food sector. However, when surveyed there is a great deal of reticence to automate the food sector due to the pressure that the major supermarkets apply to supplier margins.

“The Groceries Code Adjudicator has been appointed to try to sort these issues out which in turn should help when it comes to investment in robotics and automation equipment,” he continues. “The Adjudicator will explain at the PPMA show at the NEC in September just how she is tackling this supply chain blockage.”

Visit the BARA website for more information.