trends in automation
Synergies
10 – 11
Appetite for
Engineering
Now in its fourth year, Appetite for
Engineering (A4E), the one day
conference about innovation,
automation and skills in food
processing, delivered probably its best
food engineering networking
conference yet.
Even though the recession is over, the
economy remains fragile, so this year's
A4E event proved an ideal forum for
delegates to discuss how to move
forward with the main attraction being
the speakers' programme. Speakers
provided an invaluable source of
information. A4E is more than just a
conference – it gives the tools needed
to flourish as a profitable business in
an increasingly competitive sector.
The conference is aimed at those in the
food and beverage sector who want to
make money while automating their
plant. The event attracts the best and
brightest in the industry - from sausage
makers to sugar producers and
everyone in between. Festo are
pleased to be supporting this initiative.
www.fponthenet/appetite
Skills Development Award sponsored
by Festo
This was not the only success of the
evening for Festo. Through our work on
the steering committee of Appetite for
Engineering we were instrumental in
creating a new award to recognise skills
development in the Food Industry. We
developed the concept for the award,
assembled the judging panel and
sponsored the award which was launched
for the first time this year. The topic of
skills development had featured greatly
during the day at the Appetite for
Engineering conference.
It was also interesting to note that all
three shortlisted finalists are customers
of Festo Training and Consulting. The
eventual winner was Unilever. An earlier
manufacturing scheme from Unilever met
standards for today but not tomorrow.
Changing it required aligning 14 UK sites'
varying schemes, and ensuring high
calibre, next generation engineers. The
company formed a UK team to share best
practice and review processes;
stakeholder discussions identified
business and individual needs and
feedback on gaps. Performance
monitoring followed, and the impact has
been impressive: the company's mindset
is focused on recruiting and retaining
home-grown talent to meet
manufacturing needs in 5-10 years,
providing Unilever with high calibre,
competent individuals.
Runners-up: Warburtons, Kerry Foods.
¢
Gary Wyles presenting presenting Hazel Elderkin
from Unilever with her award.
Festo team members – proud winners of the Company of the Year Award.
“Festo has a strong and
open communications and
coaching culture that
ensures people are
supported and personally
developed.”
Gary Wyles, Managing Director, Festo Training and Consulting