Posted on

Northern Crucible is determined to explore smart manufacturing for the benefit of its members

In our June event (Casa Hotel, Chesterfield, 18.06.2019, 18:00), we continue to investigate smart manufacturing, including cost-effective ways to save energy. The event will include a site visit to United Cast Bar, where we will see a unique functional high energy saving solution.

The event starts at 18:00 in Casa Hotel, Lockwood Lane, Chesterfield, S41 7JB. On arrival, please report to reception and you will be guided up. This event is fact finding. Please bring your questions, suggestions and enthusiasm for innovation.

Event sponsor: Professional Energy Purchasing Ltd.

Posted on

Northern Crucible SELA Visit

Over the last nine months, a team of SELA’s undergraduate engineering leaders has been developing and promoting approaches to using Internet of Things technologies to increase efficiency in manufacturing businesses across the Sheffield City Region, in a bid to boost productivity. The team has also responded to the fears of companies about capital expenditure, recognising this as a barrier to adoption.

Generously supported by a local manufacturer Tinsley Bridge and mentored by Head of IT Alex Kelly, the team was able to see challenges in manufacturing first-hand. They then moved on to develop a system to monitor electricity usage down to the level of individual machines in a manufacturing facility. The SELA team recognised the capital expenditure concerns as a barrier to adoption of digital technologies and they developed a low-cost prototype, consisting of sensors for data acquisition, a data transmission device and a dashboard that displays real-time data and management information. The prototype was recently showcased at an event with the Northern Crucible manufacturing group attended by over 40 industrial leaders in the north. It received heightened interest as a simple solution to an age-old problem – hence it is already proving to be a good tool in impacting and encouraging manufacturing leaders towards adopting IoT in their own plants.

Posted on

Northern Crucible Takeovers and industry change Event

Our next Northern Crucible event will take place at 7pm on 20th February and I am very pleased to announce that Kevin Parkin ‘The Turnaround King’ will be joining us as a guest speaker. Kevin has been described as a “No Nonsense, hands-on general manager and turnaround professional.” He is an enthusiastic communicator and a believer that high quality communication, training and succession planning are key business drivers. In December 2015, Kevin led an MBI of Precision Technology International Ltd (PTI) a manufacturer of demanding power train components based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. In 2006, Kevin joined DavyMarkham, recruited and promoted a new management team who made a £1m profit turnaround in 18 months. He then led an MBO and resurrected the apprentice training scheme which had been abandoned twenty five years previously. Kevin is a Freeman of the Company of Cutlers, is an ex-Chairman of the work-wise Foundation and is a member of the Steering Group for the Advanced Metallic Systems PhD Program at Sheffield University.

Posted on

Northern Crucible Imports and Exports Event

Inaugural meeting of the Northern Crucible. Stimulating networking discussions and a very relevant talk on implications of Britain exiting the EU for the British industry and trade. The talk was delivered by the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre.

I would like to give you a preview of our guest speaker who will cover topics related to trade and export in the current climate. Based in Cape Town, Nick Patrick spent 4 years developing the Southern African market for his employer, a UK based Chemical manufacturing concern in Yorkshire. He then moved back to the UK but spent many years travelling around the globe. As a technical and commercial manager in manufacturing, Nick sought suitable agents, distributors and business partners in all manufacturing regions of the world. As head of the South Yorkshire International Trade Centre, Nick’s main concern is to provide a comprehensive International Trade package on a practical level for importers and exporters covering all aspects of doing business overseas. Over the past 2 years, SYITC have taken on board a specialism in world customs compliance in view of the Trusted Trader SAFE Framework for global trade initiative. SYITC offers practical help steering companies through the Brexit question, looking at damage limitation as well as the opportunities it will present.

Posted on

Northern Crucible Introduction

The  Northern Crucible is an exclusive forum of manufacturing leadership. It allows for free exchange of knowledge and techniques across the different disciplines and sectors that make up manufacturing. We are committed to free debate, encouragement of knowledge, innovation and smart production principles.

We bring engineering heritage of the north of England and academic expertise together for mutual growth and prosperity.

The Northern Crucible organises seminars aimed at stimulating thought and addressing issues that are of real concern to manufacturers.