Member Article

South Tyneside manufacturers optimistic about recovery

Manufacturers in South Tyneside are expected to report optimism on the recovery at their monthly meeting next week.

Members of the South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum (STMF) will provide their sentiments for a Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) barometer reading, to be fed into a national survey.

Jack Hanwell, manufacturing sector development manager of the Forum, which shares best practice and knowledge to create growth, inspire change and drive progress in engineering and manufacturing, said: “In recent months there have been definite signs that we are coming out of recession.

“In 2013 the manufacturing sector faced many challenges but there is a distinct feeling that an upturn has been encountered, and a sense of optimism is returning.

“Of course, the recession has been painful to many and we must be careful not to overestimate how far we have returned to previous manufacturing conditions, but progress is being seen.”

In January the STMF revealed plans to expand by attracting new members from Sunderland and Washington where no such business organisation exists.

Its membership already reaches beyond South Tyneside into North Tyneside, Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead, and it believes the time is right to extend its support and expertise network.

The forum is also planning to launch a specialist ‘Maintenance Group’ for companies to share best practice and information on how they maintain and repair machinery within their plants and factories.

The initiative, in partnership with Sunderland University’s Automotive and Manufacturing Advance Products faculty, aims to bring them together to allow for specialist support and knowledge sharing.

Paul Gately, from Hemel Hempstead based 3D Systems, will also be present to discuss the impact, applications and implications of 3D printing within the manufacturing community when the STMF meets at One Trinity Green, South Shields’ £4.5 million business centre in Eldon Street, from noon to 2pm.

During his presentation, titled ‘3D Printing – The Realities and the Possibilities’, he is expected to give a demonstration of this upcoming technology. His attendance at the meeting has been facilitated by George Young of SOS Group Limited.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .