Made Here Now plays key part in bid to develop global manufacturing hub

The founder of Made Here Now is to share his expertise at a conference co-hosted by Plessey, a leading semiconductor company, whose CEO Michael LeGoff is also a supporter of the UK-wide initiative aimed at encouraging more young people into manufacturing.

The “On-shoring in the South West” event on July 13 is being co-hosted by the Bessemer Society, a group of CEOs and founders of start-up companies in science and engineering fields throughout the UK, and will be discussing whether a global manufacturing hub can be built in the southwest.

Peter Marsh, founder, has been invited to be a speaker at the event as has Sir Peter Williams, the former chief executive of Oxford Instruments, a leading provider of high technology tools and systems for research and industry which is also one of the many manufacturers sponsoring Made Here Now.

The aim of the conference is to bring together representatives of high-tech companies to discuss whether the southwest can provide a base for the growing number of firms that are reshoring.

Named after Sir Henry Bessemer, an English-born inventor and engineer who developed the Bessemer converter for making steel, the society aims to promote his blend of technical, creative and entrepreneurial skills.

Peter Marsh, founder of Made Here Now, said: “One of our major aims is to ensure UK manufacturing continues to grow through investment as well as ensuring young people gain the right education and training so they have the skills that employers need.

“Increasing costs of shipping, lead times and IP protection issues are seeing many companies working in electronics and other such industries return to the UK and we need to encourage them to do so.

“I am delighted to be at this event co-hosted by Plessey who are one of the companies currently being filmed for a video to feature on Made Here Now’s new website to showcase the company’s industrial processes as well as inspire young people to consider careers in this sector,” he added.

The conference is being held the South Devon Moorland Garden Hotel, located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Peter Marsh, author of “The New Industrial Revolution: Consumers, Globalization and the End of Mass Production”, will also be speaking at the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) Industry 4.0 conference the following day – July 14.

He said: “My talk ‘The New Manufacturing Era: Global Opportunities’ will aim to inspire those companies attending to look beyond simply more digital linkages and instead consider technology blending, niches and customising, all of which can help them stay ahead of competitors, both at home and overseas,” he added.

PMG (Plymouth Manufacturers' Group) is an informal network of manufacturing companies from across the Plymouth area. Membership includes household names like: The Wrigley Company, Kawasaki and Ginsters (Samworth Bros) and major local employers such as Babcock Marine with its 300 year heritage of ship building and repair at the dockyard in Devonport.

This conference, being held at Future Inn, is open to members only.