BFPA Chairs the 2018 Appetite for Engineering Conference

30 Oct 2018

The future of the UK Food Industry resides in the adoption of new technology.

The Training Centre at the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty near Coventry has been host to a plethora of successful and interesting conferences since its inception in 2015.

Over the past couple of years, one such event has been the Annual Appetite for Engineering Conference. A4E as it has become affectionately known, was originally conceived to promote the adoption of Automation and Robotics in the Food Industry but has since evolved to become a leading exponent of adopting all forms of productivity-enhancing technology in this all-important sector. (Within the BFPA membership, the food sector is the single largest sector addressed by our Pneumatics companies.)

The theme for the 2018 event was ‘The Future is happening now!’ Accordingly, the agenda introduced some of the latest technologies now emerging thus there was inevitably much talk of digitalisation, Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things. Considered a great success by all that attended, BFPA were especially pleased to be able to Chair what was the twelfth event with their CEO, Chris Buxton being the Master of Ceremonies and the Keynote speaker. Star Trek fans were very happy to be amused by analogies with some of the technology portrayed in the iconic TV series but more seriously, the primary aspiration for the event was to encourage companies, and especially SME’s, to open their minds to the opportunities presented by new technology and to seek to educate themselves in how to capitalise upon what is surely both a threat and an opportunity. Feedback would suggest that it was successful in meeting this lofty aspiration and attendees have already begun signing-up for the 2019 event.

BFPA members who do not yet feel that they have a full understanding of I4.0 and digitalisation are encouraged to look out for a forthcoming BFPA seminar which will address this issue at a grass roots level. Starting with ‘what exactly, is I4.0 all about’, and finishing with an explanation of how it will impact upon every member of the Association in one way or another; the event will cut through all of the hype and pompous jargon whilst giving the attendees a clear and simple understanding of what is involved and what they have to do to be a part of this revolution.

Details to follow from Emma Lear on 07741 551392.