The automation industry has secured a contract to manage a £600,000 Government grant to facilitate greater use of automation in the UK. This could provide members with a very significant opportunity to encourage UK end-users to take up this offer and get a free automation health check and advice on how they can improve their efficiency and profitability by investing in modern automation technology. It has the potential to enhance member company's relationships with key end-users and benefit from the increased investment in automation that this government initiative is designed to engender.
There are two stages to the process. Essentially, applicants are able to request a free manufacturing review to establish the opportunities for efficiency improvements through use of automation. These reviews will be undertaken by independent technical experts. The second stage builds upon the results of these reviews and helps the candidate company to implement the recommendations of the report from the first stage. The first stage review is funded entirely from the grant. The second stage is 50% funded by the grant. Companies taking advantage of the first stage reviews are under no obligation to take advantage of the second stage thus the most significant benefit of the service may be realised totally free of charge. The management of this grant is under the control of a group of trade associations, including GAMBICA.
Further information is available at www.automatingmanufacturing.co.uk
or by contacting GAMBICA