The High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult launching its 2016-17 Annual Review
HVM Catapult celebrates its fifth anniversary by hosting an event in parliament and publishing its annual review reflecting on a remarkably successful year for UK manufacturing.
On 28 June last year, when MPs, Peers and business people came together in Westminster to celebrate the HVM Catapult’s fifth anniversary, the mood was apprehensive. There was general concern that the post-Referendum turmoil would hit UK industry hard. Dick Elsy, CEO of the HVM Catapult, called for continuity and constancy of purpose in the interest of business.
On 21 June 2017, after a year of political shifts in the US and across Europe and only weeks since the UK election, the HVM Catapult returns to the House of Commons to launch its 2016-17 Annual Review and to reflect on a remarkably successful year for UK manufacturing and for the HVM Catapult.
UK manufacturers currently experience the strongest inflow of work since January 2014, helped not only by strong domestic growth, but also a solid increase in new export business. This tempers original concerns about the immediate impact of Brexit on our economy.
At the same time, the HVM Catapult’s business outputs and strategic influence continue to grow. Its seven centres offer companies of all sizes open access to the latest industrial scale equipment and facilities, to over 2,000 expert engineers, scientists and technicians and it creates opportunities for collaboration between companies, sectors and between industry and academia. This is a model that continues to attract businesses, helping them commercialise innovation, improve productivity and competitiveness and thus creating jobs and economic value for the UK. Not only did the HVM Catapult work with over 3,300 business customers in 2016-17 - over 40% of whom were SMEs – they also trained over 860 engineering apprentices, preparing them for a successful career in UK industry.
Over recent months, some very significant investments were announced, anchored by advanced manufacturing technology that the HVM Catapult has developed with industry over many years. McLaren Automotive in February unveiled plans for its new Sheffield-based Composites Technology Centre. The company will reshore the development and manufacture of its high-performance carbon fibre chassis from Austria to the new Centre, creating over 200 local jobs. US aerospace company Boeing announced over £20m investment in a new manufacturing facility. ‘Boeing Sheffield’. is part of Boeing’s plan to begin manufacturing key components for its next generation aircraft in-house. The UK facility will create UK jobs and supply chain opportunities.
The HVM Catapult applies its technology insights and industry networks also to help address key issues of national concern, such as the development and exploitation of vehicle electrification and battery technology, affordable composites and digital manufacturing. The HVM Catapult has been influential in bringing stakeholders from industry, academia and government together to articulate the issues and formulate a coordinated response to help position the UK at the forefront of manufacturing technology innovation and stimulate both public and private sector investment.
The Secretary of State for Business, the Environment and the Industrial Strategy Greg Clark will speak at the HVM Catapult Summer reception on 21 June from 4pm – 6pm in the Terrace Pavilion. MPs and other invited delegates will receive a copy of the HVM Catapult Annual Review for 2016-17, and they will have the opportunity to view a range of technology exhibits and speak to apprentices and business working with the Catapult.
The document can also be downloaded from the HVM Catapult website www.hvm.catapult.org.uk, or requested by email on info@hvm.catapult.org.uk or telephone 0121 5069780.
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