- Collaboration: Robotic systems need better models of how people naturally interact with others to start truly collaborating with them and fully leverage their respective strength.
- Autonomy: Robots need to extend their sensory perception and autonomous cognition capabilities to effectively carry out increasingly complex tasks, deal with variations, and disruptive changes.
- Responsiveness: The process of designing, verifying, validating, deploying, and operating automation needs to become more accessible for a wider range of people and organisations.
- Acceptance: The societal, cultural, and economic impact of automation needs to be better explored to inform future policy, regulations, and education requirements.
New robotics research centre will transform the relationship between people and technology in UK manufacturing
A new national robotics research centre will receive a share of £25m to improve collaborative technology and help businesses unlock the full potential of automated industrial manufacturing.
The Made Smarter Innovation Research Centre for Smart, Collaborative Industrial Robotics led by Loughborough University aims to advance smart manufacturing by eliminating barriers and accelerating widespread use of smart collaborative robotics technology to unlock the full potential of the UK industry in productivity, quality, and adaptability.
The centre will bring together a team of world-class experts from Loughborough University, Cranfield University, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Warwick, and the University of Bristol, with experience in manufacturing, engineering, digital technology, robotics, human-factors, verification and safety, law, psychology, systems engineering, metrology, and ICT.
It also comprises of key organisations across core UK industrial sectors including aerospace, automotive, agri-food, green energy, construction, and space.
Project lead Dr Niels Lohse, of Loughborough’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, said: “Automation increases productivity, safeguards manufacturing, creates and protects jobs.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for greater responsiveness and resilience. With disruptions to supply chains and workforce availability, collaborative robot sales more than doubled, but the UK remains significantly behind other highly industrialised nations.
“While there is a huge appetite for the benefits of industrial automation, its full potential remains untapped. The perceived and actual high initial investment cost for specialised, automation equipment is a significant barrier for wider adoption.
“The need for highly specialised skill sets limits the design, implementation, and maintenance of automation. Specialised equipment is often too inflexible particularly for SMEs with modifications being either too expensive or impractical. People and automation are separated by inflexible safety, regulatory, procedural, physical, and psychological barriers preventing effective collaboration.
“Bringing the automation community together will be essential for addressing the unique challenges faced by UK industry to unlock the full potential of their highly skilled workforce through automation and digital technology.”
The research centre will create a multi-disciplinary, cross-sectorial hub setting the national research agenda in smart, collaborative industrial robotics, and deliver the next generation of automated factories. It will focus both on fundamental research to seed new breakthrough technologies needed to make automation more responsive, collaborative, and safe as well as industry-initiated feasibility demonstration projects to raise awareness of emerging automation capabilities.
Dr Lohse added: “I am very excited that our centre has received the support from nearly 50 national and international organisations including SMEs, large end users, technology providers, systems integrators, and research organisations. Even before the centre has been officially launched, more companies are looking to join.”
Professor Rossiter, lead of the University of Bristol team, highlighted the critical need for seamless robotic integration: “Future manufacturing will enhance human workers with robotic technologies, from autonomous smart manipulation to soft robotic power suits.”
Professor Webb, the lead investigator from Cranfield University, commented: “We are really excited about this new collaboration which will further enhance our existing work on close collaboration between humans and robots to put human operators at the centre of such systems thus significantly increasing the impact of industrial robotics in the future workplace. Understanding the impact of robotics and co-working on the human operators is key to building a safe and secure workplace of the future.”
Professor Yan, the lead investigator from the University of Strathclyde, said: “Collaborative working among human operators, robots and other manufacturing machineries raises many research challenges. This distributed research centre will become a great enabler for investigating new ways of configuring and reconfiguring these ‘actors’ for different manufacturing tasks.
“It will be exciting to tackle the challenges faced by multiple sectors from both technological and legal perspectives and see the solutions we can produce. At the University of Strathclyde we are operators of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), which is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) and we look forward to collaborating with our industrial partners to devise these novel solutions.”
Professor Darek Ceglarek, who leads the University of Warwick team, stated: “I am delighted to be part of the Centre and look forward to working with our academic and industrial partners in accelerating adaptation of industrial robotic systems.
“We will emulate near-real production and product quality through our digital twin for high-fidelity validation to enable right-first-time and near-zero-defect manufacturing. The digital twin will be integrated with AR/VR and avatars embedded decision studio to facilitate new ways of working with industrial robotic systems.”
It is one of five university-led research centres which are being funded by UKRI and Made Smarter as part of a wider £300 million partnership between government, industry, Catapults, and academia led by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Innovation Strategy.
The key priority areas for research and innovation in the centre are:
Record year of revenue for Topps Tiles
Topps Tiles, the Leicester-based tile specialist, has returned to profit while witnessing a record year of revenue.
In unaudited annual financial results for the 53 weeks ended 2 October 2021 the company posted a pre-tax profit of £14.3m, up from a loss of £9.8m in the year prior.
Group revenue meanwhile reached £228m, growing from £192.8m.
Retail like-for-like sales were up 19.6% despite trade restrictions throughout Q2.
Rob Parker, Chief Executive, said: “Our full year results demonstrate the strength of our position as the UK’s leading tile specialist and the potential of the business when it has been able to trade without restriction.
“Despite significant disruption for a three month period, during which our stores were unable to welcome homeowners, we delivered record revenues for the year and made good progress towards our ‘1 in 5 by 2025’ market share goal.
“We believe this performance underlines the strength of our strategy and the success of new initiatives including the expansion of our value ranges and the introduction of innovative new products. The successful development of our digital offer during the year has been particularly pleasing and we have plans in place to expand this further in 2022.
“Trading in the initial weeks of the new financial year has been robust with two-year Retail like-for-like sales growth of 18.4%. While trading headwinds are likely to continue over the short term, we are confident in our strategy and our ability to deliver sustainable long term growth.”
Golden night for 38 of the most forces-friendly employers
Local authorities, educational establishments and commercial companies spanning IT, recruitment and building materials were among the organisations honoured for their outstanding support for the military last Thursday 25th November at a regional ceremony to recognise the 2021 winners of the national Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards.
Against the stunning backdrop of the Royal Armouries in Leeds, 38 organisations in total were recognised for the contribution they make to the Armed Forces community in an event jointly hosted by East Midlands RFCA, North West RFCA and the RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber.
Winners ranged from small and medium-sized family companies to large organisations employing many thousands of people, such as the University of Derby and Aggregate Industries. What all of them had in common was brilliant HR practices that support staff that serve or have served in the military.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty, was guest speaker for the night and he said: “I would like to thank all the organisations who have proven their support for the defence community during such unprecedented and challenging times.
“The vast range of those recognised this year demonstrates how employing the Armed Forces community makes a truly positive and beneficial impact for all employers, regardless of size, sector or location.”
To win an award, all the organisations provide ten extra paid days leave for serving Reserves and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers so they can attend camps and training events. They must also have supportive policies in place for Veterans, Reserves and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as the spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
The awards were presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Ed Anderson, who said: “The military depends on great employers who truly understand the role of Reserves to the Armed Forces’ capability, as well as the vital part Cadet Force Adult Volunteers play in creating fantastic and often life-changing opportunities for thousands of young people in local communities. That’s why it is such an honour to present awards to these organisations who showcase the very best of employment practices when it comes to those who serve, and those who have served, and their families.”
The organisations in the East Midlands who won the prestigious award are:
Aggregate Industries, Leicestershire
Ashfield District Council, Nottinghamshire
Eagle Eye Innovations, Lincolnshire
Forces Cars Direct, Lincolnshire
Forces Solutions, Rutland
HZL Specialist Solutions Limited, Derbyshire
Lincoln College, Lincolnshire
Mercury Electronic Warfare, Lincolnshire
Shorterm Group, Derbyshire
TMS Support Solutions, Lincolnshire
University of Derby, Derbyshire
In addition, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had their Gold Award re-validated after holding it for 5 years already.
Carol Cooper-Smith, CEO of Ashfield District Council, Nottinghamshire, commented: “Ashfield District Council prides itself on its support for our Armed Forces and we promote positive engagement with service personnel both inside and outside of the Council. We are therefore delighted to have been awarded a prestigious Gold Award by the MOD for our work and we will continue to strive to be an exemplar.”
Tim Stevens, Managing Director of SME Mercury EW and Defence Training Services, Lincolnshire, said: “We value the work of all members of the Armed Forces and recognise their commitment and the sacrifices that their families also make. As a small business, we are immensely proud that we recognise former serving members, members of the Reserves and spouses, as our employees. It is their skills, experience and continued professionalism that makes our business a success.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, commented: “I am delighted that the University of Derby has been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s highest badge of honour in recognition of our commitment to the Armed Forces community. At Derby, we are keen to attract service leavers as employees, and to encourage them to start new careers, education and training with us, recognising the outstanding transferable skills that Veterans bring that can be built on in a second career.”
Funding extension for Business Gateway means support for hundreds of local firms
A key source of support for Leicester and Leicestershire’s businesses will be able to reach nearly 200 more firms following a decision to extend its funding.
An additional £2million of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money has been awarded to Leicester City Council and partners for the Growth Hub project – a service providing a one-stop shop for business support across the city and county as part of the Business Gateway Growth Hub service.
The funding award means businesses will now be able to get a share of additional grants totalling just over half a million pounds, and continued access to a range of business support services.
The service has received two rounds of ERDF funding since 2016 and the current £3.9m of ERDF funding was due to end in December 2021.
Leicester City Council is the accountable body for the current ERDF project and the additional £2m of funding means the programme will now be extended until June 2023, enabling it to provide continuing support to firms still recovering from the disruption to the their trading caused by Covid-19.
The Growth Hub services include:
- Professional business advisers to support businesses throughout their development, offering advice on issues including business planning, funding and growth
- A programme of business-related events and workshops/ seminars, covering a range of topics including reducing carbon emissions, becoming more innovative and adopting digital marketing
- A dedicated programme to accelerate the growth of businesses created from 2018 onwards
- Regular webinars on aspects of finance including where to find funding and how to apply for it successfully
- Referral of clients to complementary grant schemes such as the Digital Growth and ‘Scale-Up’ programmes
Outlook positive despite confidence dip among East Midlands firms
Business confidence in the East Midlands fell 13 points during November to 42%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in the East Midlands reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 11 points at 41%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 17 points to 42%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 42%.
The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
A net balance of 17% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 26 points on last month.
Overall, UK business confidence was buoyant in November at 40%, down just three points on October’s reading of 43%. Both firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects and optimism in the economy remained comfortably in positive territory, each dipping just three points month-on-month to 39% and 41% respectively.
All UK nations and regions had positive confidence readings in November, with three regions – Wales, the East of England and South East – reporting an increase on October’s data.
Firms in London (down two points to 63%) remained the most confident for the third month in a row, followed by the North East (down 16 points to 45%), the West Midlands (down eight points to 42%) and East Midlands (down 13 points to 42%).
A net balance of 30% of firms across the UK reported plans to create new jobs in the next 12 months, with hiring intentions strongest in London (41%), Wales (37%) and the South West (37%).
Amanda Dorel, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Although confidence has dipped here in the East Midlands, it remains higher than the national average, and there are reasons to be optimistic. With the region’s strength in manufacturing, those in consumer-facing sectors like fashion will be looking forward to the opportunities created by the coming festive season.
“We’ll be by the side of local businesses to help them make the most of any opportunities that come their way.”
At a sector level, confidence slipped in manufacturing (42%), to its lowest since August, linked to the persistence of supply-chain disruptions, while it fell to a seven-month low of 28% in construction.
In contrast, the retail sector (45%) bucked the trend with a pickup in confidence, reflecting hopes for higher spending ahead as the festive period approaches. Services confidence (41%) fell slightly, with strong growth for financial & business services and communications offset by more downbeat responses from education, health and public administration.
Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Business confidence remains robust above the long-term average, but it dipped this month as economic optimism and trading prospects were affected by the persistence of rising costs and supply chain issues.
“Pay expectations remain elevated with a quarter of businesses anticipating rises of 3% or more in the next 12 months which will add to business costs, but it bodes well for staff facing into economic challenges.”
Service sector continues its recovery in the quarter to November, but costs see record growth
Optimism improved for firms across the service sector in the three months to November, according to the latest Service Sector Survey from the CBI – however cost growth in both sub-sectors continued to pick up, growing at the fastest pace since survey records began in 1998.
For business and professional services firms, sentiment about the business situation continued to improve in the quarter to November, albeit at a slower pace than in the preceding three months. Sentiment among consumer services companies improved markedly last quarter, following a deterioration in the three months to August.
Business volumes continued to grow at a strong pace across the service sector in the three months to November. However, there are signs of slowing growth, as business and professional services firms expect volumes growth to ease next quarter – while expectations within consumer services are for volumes to be unchanged.
Cost pressures are building with both consumer services and business and professional services seeing costs grow at the fastest pace in survey history – with firms in both sectors anticipating the pace to pick up even further next quarter, also the strongest expectations on record. As a result, selling price growth accelerated too, with expectations for significantly faster growth in the coming quarter for both sub-sectors.
Despite elevated cost pressures, profitability grew in both business and professional and consumer services, with the strongest growth since February 2018 for the latter. With strong price and cost growth expected to persist into the next quarter, expectations in both consumer services and business and professional services are for profits growth to stall in the three months to February.
Employment growth within business and professional services picked up in the three months to November, recording the fastest growth in more than six years. This pace of growth is expected to continue into next quarter. Consumer services also saw employment return to growth in the three months to November, following unchanged headcount in the previous quarter. This too is expected to continue at a similar rate in the three months to February.
Firms’ investment prospects have strengthened, as services firms expect to ramp up their spending plans over the next 12 months, particularly on IT. Respondents from the business and professional services sector reported the strongest investment intentions for vehicles, plant and machinery investment since 2016, and the for IT in more than 20 years. Consumer services firms expect to increase spending on land and buildings, as well as vehicles, plant and machinery – both the strongest expectations since 2017. Capital expenditure on IT is also tipped to remain strong for consumer services.
Charlotte Dendy, CBI Head of Economic Surveys and Data, said: “The service sector continued to report a strong recovery in the three months to November, with volumes, profits and employment all showing solid growth.
“However, record growth in costs is threatening to put a winter freeze on the service sector recovery next quarter. With firms’ cost growth expectations the strongest in survey history in both sub-sectors, businesses expect services profits growth to stall in the coming quarter.
“With Covid still a concern, with impacts for consumer confidence, together with cost and supply chain issues continuing to bite, a difficult winter lies ahead. It is therefore vital that the Government works with business to help address these challenges, ease cost and supply pressures, giving businesses the platform to ensure the recovery does not fizzle out before Christmas.”
East-Midlands law firm rated ‘excellent’ in Lexcel audit
Following a successful audit of practices and procedures, JMP Solicitors has secured its Lexcel accreditation, achieving a rating of ‘excellent’.
The Grantham-based law firm was found to be fully Lexcel compliant in the major assessment which occurred last year and takes place every three years, alongside this year’s standard annual audit. The results showed that JMP met all Lexcel accreditation requirements, notably exceeding the basic Lexcel standard required.
Lexcel is a nationally recognised legal practice quality mark awarded by the Law Society, which is granted to firms that can demonstrate good practice in structure and strategy, finances, information management, people management, risk management, client care and case management.
The assessor’s comments found the firm – “maintained a client focused and service-orientated approach and all employees demonstrated a commitment to providing a high level of service.”
As part of the report produced following assessment, JMP Solicitors has been recognised as having a “wealth of experience” in matters relating to family law, conveyancing, civil litigation and medical and professional negligence claims, as well as a speciality in Japanese Knotweed claims.
The firm has been commended for its “culture of compliance,” in ensuring that all Lexcel-compliant policies, plans and procedures are implemented and adhered to in the company’s operations.
The assessor also noted that the company “demonstrated that an excellent risk management framework is in place as part of the firm’s overall risk management policy” and that all staff members who were interviewed showed “a continued commitment to providing an excellent level of client care and the practice has effectively embedded a ‘customer-centric culture’ across all departments.”
The report also factored in how the firm has been addressing the current COVID-19 pandemic, and JMP received positive feedback on its risk management of the situation, conducted by the senior team.
JMP Solicitors was assessed against the latest 6.1 version of the Lexcel Standard and will now carry the accreditation until the next annual audit.
Ian Howard, director at JMP Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to have received an excellent scoring in our most recent Lexcel audit, which is testament to our hardworking and tenacious team. We will now proudly hold this accreditation until the next audit, which is an amazing achievement to add to those we already have next to our name.
“Whilst the pandemic was an unprecedented situation that many businesses had little to no preparation for, it is reassuring to know that we have done our very best to handle the situation in the interests of our clients and our team, and this has been recognised by industry standards.
“We have all been working tirelessly to continue delivering services whilst putting our clients at the forefront of our practice, as we have done for the past two decades. Thank you to the team who have demonstrated commitment and flexibility, so that we can continue to provide a personal, high standard of service for our clients.”
As well as its Lexcel accreditation, JMP Solicitors has also been accredited by the Investors in People and has been recognised as a ‘Leading Firm’ by Legal 500.
Lincolnshire farmer purchases land and secures business for future generations
Virgin Money has helped one Lincolnshire farmer finance the purchase of 212 acres, as well as secure a loan for a 3,000-tonne grain store and a new cutting-edge crop sprayer, safeguarding the future of their farming enterprise.
Building a farming business that is an attractive and profitable offer for the next generation, requires investment, determination, and ever-increasing efficiencies. David and Jane Pridgeon, along with David’s parents, run Pridgeon Farms Limited near Chapel St. Leonards. They have spent 15 years building a successful soft fruit and cereal business and a farm shop expanding over 20 acres.
Recent investments in land, and machinery utilising the latest technology to streamline production and reduce labour, are all a part of the strategy to ensure a fit for purpose business which will withstand future challenges.
Commenting on their recent business developments, David said: “The most important aim going forward is to ensure sustainability for the future. My father has worked hard to create the foundation to build on and I would like to continue this for future generations.
“We’re always looking for opportunities and have expanded through a range of land options; owned, rented, contracted and shared farms. Over time, our contract farming agreements have turned into rentals, which have provided us with much more security. Our recent developments are all about long-term viability. We have invested in the land and infrastructure to enable us to grow and improve efficiencies.”
The soft fruit enterprise has required continual investment in poly tunnels, and growing and irrigation systems, to create an infrastructure that utilises technologies and is less dependent on staff resources. In order to do this, it has been imperative that the Pridgeons had guidance and support from someone who not only understood the business but was interested in their ideas going forward.
Steve Thomas, Agricultural Relationship Manager at Virgin Money, commented: “The Pridgeon family have been working with Virgin Money for almost 15 years and I feel we’re very much a part of their team. It’s key to the success of any business that their bank is supportive, and this can only be achieved with good communication and understanding.
“David and Jane, and David’s parents, are all very knowledgeable farmers and are very committed to succeed. They saw the potential in soft fruit and, having established that enterprise, are now the suppliers of 150 acres of fruit to regional wholesalers, farm shops and green grocers. It’s an amazing achievement and one they are continually looking to foster.”
Virgin Money is committed to working with customers to ensure that they have a strong understanding of each business so that they can help plan and advise for future growth.
Plans for 294 new homes submitted for former Nottingham secondary school site
Plans to build 294 new homes in Nottingham, at the site of the former Padstow Secondary School, have been submitted to the city council.
Countryside Properties are behind the scheme in Bestwood, north of Nottingham City Centre, which would provide 9 one bed dwellings (of which 6 are apartments), 108 two bed dwellings, 134 three bed dwellings, and 43 four bed dwellings.
Previous school buildings on-site have been demolished with only remnants of the former Padstow School infrastructure remaining. The site is now predominantly greenfield.
The southern area of the site is currently occupied by part of the existing Henry Whipple Primary School, although plans are to demolish this area of the building.
Regional housebuilder William Davis Homes praises ‘Golden’ generation
Regional housebuilder William Davis Homes has celebrated the 50th anniversary of its apprenticeship awards scheme by praising a new ‘golden’ generation of construction workers.
Nineteen-year-old apprentice electrician Demi Whitehead has become the first female to be named the company’s Apprentice of the Year. Her mentor, David Oliver, won the title himself in 1975 and praised her hard work and dedication.
Runner-up was fourth-year apprentice joiner Carlo Williams, also aged 19. There was a teamwork award for three third-year apprentice bricklayers: Aiden Busy, Matthew Walker and Alex Seymour.
As well as being the Golden anniversary, this year’s awards evening was extra special after the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
The Managing Director of William Davis Homes, Guy Higgins, praised the skills and resilience of the company’s 38 apprentices – as well as the support of the mentors.
“It was wonderful to see the return of our awards night and to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our apprentices in this golden year for young talent,” said Mr Higgins.
“Many of our apprentices have had their training disrupted because of the pandemic. To see their level of progress despite this challenge is testament to their attitude and commitment.
“Over the years, a large part of our workforce has been built on apprenticeships. It is tremendous to see this homegrown pipeline of skills continuing and I’m delighted to see our first female Apprentice of the Year.”
Demi Whitehead is a fourth-year apprentice who joined the company straight from school in 2018. “I’m really proud to win this award,” she said. “When I came for my interview three years ago, I didn’t even think I’d get the apprenticeship.
“I’ve always been more practical than academic. I come from a family of tradesmen and have always helped my dad and grandad. I love my job and look forward to continuing my journey with William Davis Homes.”
Demi’s off-site studies are at Loughborough College but now that she is in the final year of the apprenticeship, most of her time is spent gaining skills on the company’s Buttercup Fields development at Shepshed.
Her mentor David Oliver said: “Demi is a confident apprentice and this shows in her approach to her work and problem solving. She is eager to learn new skills and put them into practice. Demi gets on well with other trades and site staff and is a credit to herself and the department.”
William Davis Homes’ apprenticeship scheme has won a number of awards. They include a National Housebuilder Award and a Construction Industry Training Board Award. The company also has a team of technical trainees in skills such as quantity surveying and engineering.
A large proportion of the company’s current workforce started as William Davis Homes apprentices. On average, around nine out of ten stay with the company – higher than the national average. Seventeen former Apprentice of the Year winners are still working for the company.
“Apprentices are the future of our company,” said Guy Higgins. “It is a credit to the mentors and trainers that so many apprentices decide to stay with us, demonstrating that completing an apprenticeship can lead to a long and fulfilling career.”
