Week 23 in Manufacturing News

Most Significant Industrial Policy Legislation in Decades Passed by US Senate; Investment Intentions of UK Manufacturers Revealed in New IBM Survey; Majority of UK Manufacturers Prioritising Flexible Energy Models in Post-pandemic Recovery; Finally, Venture Capital Wakes Up to Innovation in Manufacturing.

Most Significant Industrial Policy Legislation in Decades Passed by US Senate

The Senate passed the most significant industrial policy legislation in decades, in a bid to bolster competitiveness against China.

Lawmakers overcame their traditional partisan differences over economic policy to back expansive federal investments in a slew of emerging technologies and manufacturing, including in the semiconductor industry.

Source: nytimes.com

Investment Intentions of UK Manufacturers Revealed in New IBM Survey

A new survey conducted by IBM has revealed insight into manufacturing investment, including top solutions and technologies of interest. 

The study surveyed attendees at previous Smart Factory Expo events where the audience represent board-level and senior management from manufacturing companies. From this survey it was revealed that 61% plan to invest between 2021/22, with 24% hoping to invest in the near future.

Source: pesmedia.com

Majority of UK Manufacturers Prioritising Flexible Energy Models in Post-pandemic Recovery

Manufacturing businesses are heavily focussed on flexible generation and distribution alongside decarbonisation of their energy use in the wake of the pandemic. This is according to key findings from Aggreko’s latest manufacturing report of Q2 2021, which surveyed over 200 decision makers from large UK manufacturing companies.

Source: The energyst

Finally, Venture Capital Wakes Up to Innovation in Manufacturing

For a very long time now in Australia it has been possible to get venture capital for a yet-another gold mine or some fintech app.

But when manufacturing innovators go looking for capital, other than a few angel investors, the cupboard has been bare – this despite us sitting on one of the world’s largest pools of savings in our superannuation system.

However just as there is a sense that there is a technology-based manufacturing revival underway, there are the beginnings of a venture capital sector that understands manufacturing, the people working in it and the potential it offers to create global businesses and indeed, wealth.

Source: AuManufacturing