Invitation to Mansfield and Ashfield manufacturing firms to be part of online business summit

The virtual conference, Made Smarter: The journey to Digital Manufacturing will take place on Wednesday, March 10 and will show manufacturers how to leverage and fast-track digital technology and tools for a year of recovery, growth and resilience.

Among those sharing their stories will be world-leading puppet-makers MacKinnon and Saunders, the creators of TV characters including Bob the Builder and Postman Pat, who are currently collaborating with Hollywood director Guillermo Del Toro on the forthcoming Pinocchio animation.

Fast fashion clothing manufacturer Creative Apparel and vegan and plant-based food producer Nutree Life will also take part.

Curated by manufacturers for manufacturers, the conference also features an impressive line-up of industry heavyweights such as Juergen Maier, chairman of the Digital Catapult and co-chairman of the Made Smarter Commission, Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, the manufacturers' organisation, Andrea Hough, managing director of ATEC Engineering Solutions and Glyn Jones, service delivery director at BAE Systems and chairman of the Made Smarter pilot steering group, who will showcase the 'why?', 'what?' and 'how?' of digital manufacturing.

The packed one-day programme, running from 9am to 5pm, will be hosted virtually using an interactive online platform and include insightful panel discussions and roundtable debates, interactive workshops; demonstrations of the latest digital manufacturing technologies; and one-to-one advice sessions, giving businesses the vital intelligence needed to start their digital journey or take the next step.

To ensure the Made Smarter message reaches as many people the conference is free to access for anyone from the spectrum of UK manufacturing and engineering, including aerospace, automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical, construction, defence, electronics, energy, food and drink, nuclear, plastics, security, steel, space and textiles.

Juergen Maier said: “For manufacturers by manufacturers, this summit is a must-attend event for anyone working in the sector to learn how to make their product or process smarter.

“In these tumultuous times Covid-19 has, without doubt, demonstrated that digital tools can enable and accelerate innovation, and create resilience.

“Grasping the digital opportunities has never been more important for businesses to recover and return stronger.”

To register your interest, click here.