How can manufacturing adjust to the recession?

International delegates from 37 countries will converge on the University to attend the 19th annual FAIM (Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing) conference.

The conference takes place from Sunday 5 July to Wednesday 8 July and will focus on contemporary and emerging trends and developments and problems in industry. It is a forum for practitioners and academics at the forefront of their fields to exchange ideas and concerns.

This year’s theme is Lean Manufacturing and Services.

The global attendees will include Doctorate students, Professors and scientists from many countries including Sweden, Holland, Singapore, South Africa, France, Canada, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Egypt, Brazil, China, Mexico, Thailand, India, America and Italy.

In addition, FAIM will also be attended by representatives from local industries, including Stanley Vickers, DLS, Stockton Castings and other small and medium enterprises. The delegates will also complete an industrial tour of the North East, highlighting examples of good practice in manufacturing. The tour will include Cummins Engineering in Darlington and Caterpillar in Peterlee.

Aiming to help local industry Professor Farhad Nabhani, FAIM conference Chair and Professor of Biomechanics and Manufacturing at the University, said: ‘Manufacturing today must adjust to the current global recession and the demanding markets facing both North East, UK and international Businesses, both large and small. We hope the Conference will give delegates an unrivalled independent insight into current best practices and state-of-the-art in manufacturing with associated practices.

‘We aim to help local industry in a time of economic downturn by bringing together expertise within the manufacturing environment to look at production improvements in the next decade. For example, we want to help generate new markets and expand on established communications by networking between suppliers, producers and designers. I’m looking forward to showing the delegates the North East’s industries and establishing a vital network to help businesses. ‘Institutions bid to host the FAIM conference, so it’s very prestigious for it to take place in the Tees Valley. Last year’s took place in Sweden and the next will be in San Francisco so we’re truly putting Teesside on the global map. We bid against institutions in Hong Kong and Dubai and were successful as the University has a good platform, surrounded by SMEs and at the heart of the UK’s Process industry.’

Key areas to explore The FAIM conference is sponsored by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and over 190 articles will be presented by delegates from the 37 countries, exploring areas such as:

• Enterprise Knowledge Management
• IT and Internet Applications
• Business Intelligence in Manufacturing / Services
• Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Logistics.

It won’t be all work and no play for the international visitors, as they’ll also visit the HMS Trincomalee at Hartlepool Marina on the evening of Monday 6 July. On the evening of Tuesday 7 July the delegates will enjoy hospitality at Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside stadium, attended by the University's Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson, Councillor David Budd, Deputy Mayor of Middlesbrough and a special guest speaker.

---