Huge uptake reported for automation grant

>Mike Wilson, chairman of BARA, said: "We are delighted with the uptake from industry so far. The UK is one of the nations within Europe that has been slow to adopt the use of automation with a mere 25 robots per 10,000 employees as opposed to 127 per 10,000 employees in Germany. One of the keys to success in addressing the UK's budget deficit is increasing the export output from the UK and the way to do this is by making UK manufacturing as efficient as possible."

>Allen Green, managing director of AK Industries which recently completed a review said: "We had our automation review carried out on site and we have found this very useful. The automation expert has highlighted several areas that we could cost-effectively automate and the pay back period is a lot shorter than we had thought. We are pleased that the government is prepared to help UK manufacturing take the next steps in remaining competitive in an ever increasingly global market place. We have just completed our first 6-axis robotic cell".

>Grant Collier of the PPMA group which promotes the automation programme added: "We have actively attended many regional events and exhibitions and used our extensive end-user databases within our four associations and our strategic partners. In addition we have executed a comprehensive PR programme with industry, regional and national press. As a result applications continue to look very positive for year two."

>UK Manufacturers in any sector are urged to take advantage of the programme which involves an independent  automation expert visiting factory premises and assessing where automation can help. The expert will then write a full report all of which is paid for by the government.