Today, we have great pleasure in announcing our keynote speaker for the Automation and Factories of the future - where next? event taking place in September. Dr Graeme Philp, Chief Executive Gambica will deliver his keynote address on The Digital Landscape.
After completing his PhD in optical fibre sensors in 1984, Dr Philp became Technical Director of the UK Industrial Instruments division of what is now ABB. In 1995 he moved to the Hazardous Area equipment specialist the MTL Instruments Group plc, becoming Chief Executive in 1995. After selling MTL in 2008, Dr Philp became Chief Executive of Gambica, the industry organisation representing the Instrumentation, automation and laboratory technology industries in the UK. His current areas of focus include Industry 4.0 and Trailblazer Apprenticeships.
Abstract of Graeme's talk
Graeme will discuss how the future factory will be shaped by developments in digital, economic and ecological areas. Not only will technology drive improvements in automation and mechanisation, but it will also transform business models, improve consumer choice, bring manufacturing back to high wage economies and transform our throw away economy to one where products are built to last and leased rather than bought. Society will become less goods focused and more service orientated while companies will concentrate on after-sales service. The speed of innovation will increase facilitated by flexible factories and zero inventory. Mass production will give way to mass customisation and individual choice.
Many aspects of this brave new world already exist in isolated silos. Now all we have to do is join up the landscape.
You can read about our other speakers in our blog section and look out for more speaker announcements coming soon.
