INDUSTRY NEWS
Digital technologies essential for international competitiveness
Stephen Phipson , CEO , Make UK .
According to Make UK / Infor analysis , digital technologies are essential for manufacturing to power international competitiveness , but some UK SMEs are still behind . Additional dedicated UK Government support for SMEs across the country will be key to success , said the joint report .
British manufacturing companies have taken significant steps in adopting digital technologies with some 80 % confident that Industrial Digital Technologies ( IDTs ) will be a reality in their businesses by 2025 , according to new research , ‘ Bouncing Back Smarter : Innovation Monitor 2020 ’, published by Make UK - the manufacturers ’ organisation - and Infor . 3D printers , AI , Internet of things , Augmented and Virtual Reality are making a real contribution to business operations across companies of all sizes - especially around the recent need for remote production and monitoring - but ‘ a significant number of small to medium sized businesses remain at the digital starting block ’.
“ The two years since our last Innovation Monitor have seen little change in the barriers to digital adoption , particularly for SMEs – lack of skills and technical knowledge remain top of the list but scarcity of finance is becoming a more significant block , with companies stretched due to loss of business caused by the pandemic ” said Make UK .
While manufacturers are aware of the benefits of IDTs , the report found that many ( 44 %) are not yet adopting them . Regional variation is also stark .
“ Fiscal incentives to support digitalisation and research and development spend must be increased . Additional investment allowances for technology-related investments would be a good way of doing this . But industry , too , must play its part in delivering a strong digital future for British manufacturing . Manufacturers , particularly SMEs , must accept that digitalisation is for everyone , and make it a strategic priority to maintain Britain ’ s competitiveness on the global stage ,” said Make UK .
In recent months , manufacturers have faced unprecedented challenges with the need for Industrial Digital Technologies never more important . Remote working has been key . Digital programme rollouts have been achieved when such change would normally have taken years to achieve .
“ In the coming months , as supply chains return to normal , it is important to build resilience and further accelerate digital adoption to give UK manufacturing the turbo charge to deliver even greater international competitiveness . Digital adoption allows companies to work as effectively and efficiently as possible and it is vital Government steps up to work with industry to make sure Britain ’ s smaller and often most innovative companies get the bespoke help they need to make the most of the technologies available to them ,” concluded Stephen Phipson , CEO , Make UK . n
Automotive metal forming market
The global metal forming market for automotive is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2 % from 2020 to 2025 , to reach US $ 202.23 billion by 2025 from US $ 172.56 billion in 2018 , according to new analysis from ResearchAndMarkets . com .
According to the report , global vehicle production and growing commercial vehicle demand will fuel the metal forming market for automotive . The market is projected to rise through key reasons such as increasing vehicle production and growing demand for commercial vehicles . The report also highlights ‘ the
Above : Deep drawn metal parts ( source : New England Metalform , Inc .)
high capital cost of forming equipment ’ as a major factor hindering the growth of the metal forming market .
The " Metal Forming Market for Automotive by Technique ( Roll , Stretch , Stamping , Deep
Drawing , Hydroforming ); Type ( Hot , Warm and Cold ); Application ( BIW , Chassis , Closure ); Material ( Steel , Aluminium , Magnesium ) and Vehicle ( ICE & Electric ) - Global Forecast to 2025 " report has been added to
ResearchAndMarkets . com ' s portfolio . Cold forming is estimated to be the largest market by forming type and is projected to maintain its position over the forecast period .
“ The hydroforming market is projected to show the fastest growth by forming technique segment . Hydroforming is one of the most advanced forming techniques in the automotive industry . It is generally used to manufacture hollow tube structures such as manifolds , exhaust cones and a few suspension components . As hydroforming is comparatively expensive , it is mostly used by premium car manufacturers .
Hydroforming is an advanced technique and requires a high set-up cost as well as
high operating costs , and is expected to have a significant market in Europe and North America ,” said the report .
Asia Oceania and North America are estimated to drive the metal forming market for automotive . The Asia Oceania region is projected to lead the metal forming market for automotive during the forecast period owing to large-scale vehicle production compared to other regions . Vehicle production in Asia Oceania has grown substantially in the last ten years , mainly from small and mid-sized cars in China and India as these two countries have the largest populations and are price-sensitive markets .
“ This growth may have been derailed in 2020 , owing to the COVID-19 outbreak . However , as per estimates , the Asia Oceania will witness growth in the forecast period owing to the successful containment of the virus in countries such as China , Japan and South Korea . North America is expected to be the fastest growing metal forming market for automotive . The U . S . is the major contributor ( it contributed around 65 % of overall vehicle production in North America in 2019 ),” added the report . n
14 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR April 2021