New North East manufacturing forum takes inspiration from Europe

A new alliance for experts who service the wheels of industry is being launched by the North East’s largest manufacturing grouping – with Europe a driving force and inspiration.

The Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) - a thriving knowledge-sharing and best practice platform - looked to the Continent for role models on which to base the North East Maintenance Forum (NEMF).

It hopes the NEMF will become Britain’s premier collaboration of engineering managers, project planners and schedulers, production managers, maintenance technicians, and others involved in the practical aspects of maintenance.

For extra expertise, it has partnered with Sunderland University’s Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP), which covers a broad range of industrial applications, digital engineering technologies, and research.

The NEMF will launch on Thursday, July 10 with a keynote address by Dr David Baglee, project manager and senior lecturer in the university’s department of computing, engineering and technology, and the North East’s foremost maintenance expert.

Dr Baglee has wide experience of managing several European and UK government-funded projects examining maintenance within the automotive, marine, and food and drink sectors.

It takes place at the Quadrus Centre, in Woodstock Way, Boldon Business Park, South Tyneside, from 1.30pm and 4pm.

Jack Hanwell, the AMF’s manufacturing sector development manager, said: “With the NEMF we are building upon successful models already employed in other EU countries.

“With links with other relevant manufacturing groups, the forum will provide direct access to industry and academic experts and to a network of companies within Europe to exchange innovative ideas and maintenance practices.

“It is our aim to become the premier maintenance network forum in the UK.”

The launch is one of three high-profile events being held in July by the AMF - which has around 60 full and affiliate companies as members - as it bids to extend its influence and build sector expertise across the region.

The monthly meeting of its HR Forum, an event led by North East law firm Ward Hadaway and which will focus on staff retention, is on Tuesday, July 15 from 2pm to 4pm.

Mark Thompson, of Ryder Architecture, will give insight into how the firm became one of The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2014.

And Lisa Taylor, of Nigel Wright Consultancy, which specialises primarily in the appointment of commercial, operations and support professionals, will speak on the importance of benefits packages in recruitment and retention.

Also present will be Judith Donnelly and Christine Hall, of AMACUS Ltd, which supports companies to grow through staff development, will talk about developing people and business to achieve great results, as well as the proven benefits of investment in staff.

It takes place at Ward Hadaway, Sandgate House, 102 Quayside, Newcastle.

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