Topic: A Strategic Review of the Surface Engineering Industry in the UK
Paul Wynn from The Institute of Metal Finishing in the UK recently shared this report published in 2006 by namtec with us, and after reading it I thought I'd share it with our members. While it is a few years, and 1 recession out of date, it still provides an interesting review of the Metal Finishing Industry in the UK at that time.... it also offers some pretty profound advice on the future of industry collaboration.
Right off the report estimates that in 2005 the UK market for surface engineering processes was £21.3bn ($35bn) and that these treatments critically affected £143bn ($234bn) manufactured products. (Remember it takes 38 UK's to make up one US... geographically speaking anyways) It goes into detail about the diversity of the surface engineering industry in the UK and does a fantastic job illustrating how Metal Finishing serves as the "underpinning" for, and is a critical "enabling technology", for most major industry sectors including aerospace, automotive, catering, construction, the off-shore industries, power generation and bio-medical applications. A full analysis of the data is presented in the report, which you can download here.
To me one of the most interesting aspects of the report is their view on the key to the continuity of our industry. It describes the need for a "Surface Engineering Network" to bring together current technical proficiency, and form a knowledge database of independent industrial and academic experts. They suggest that this network collaborate with all existing specialist centers, groups and networks, including training firms and databases, and make these accessible for the industry as a whole. "The geographic location of this network was seen as irrelevant, but it was noted that inclusion of current knowledge and practices, and availability for all, was vital for success."
Report published in 2006 by the National Metals Technology Centre
Look for more from my meeting with Paul Wynn, and the Institute of Metal Finishing coming soon, and don't forget about the Surface World Show in Birmingham, UK Oct. 27-29, 2009
~Enjoy!
Attachments:
Attachments: Click Here to See
Surface Engineering Review.pdf namtecreport.jpg
