While it’s important to remain positive, the fact of the matter is that it’s still tough times for many British businesses. Indeed, according to the Office for National Statistics, manufacturing output fell by three percent in the year to March 2013.
However, it is also a fact that where there is difficulty, there is also opportunity, and hard times can prove a good catalyst for innovation.
Nowhere is this better highlighted than at this year’s Total Processing & Packaging exhibition taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 4th-6th June, which will see over 300 exhibitors on hand to demonstrate just how processing and packaging professionals can improve efficiency, accuracy and consistency while focusing on innovation. A full show preview is included in this issue on pages 36, 39 and 41. In addition, we also have packaging as our industry focus this month, featuring several intuitive case studies from across the sector plus a look at how packaging machine builders can ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Other features in our May issue include manufacturing software, energy management and robotics & motion control which, along with the latest products and case studies, looks at increasing the take-up of robotics within British industry in order to help keep the country competitive on a global stage.
Click here to view the digital issue for May 2013.
Joe Bush, Editor
