BUSS 4 Business and the Government research

Bullet Point 1: Impact of technological change on businesses manufacturing in the UK (Automotive)

Definitions:

Key Theory:

Automation – The use of machinery to replace human labour. Modern, lean production techniques emphasis the need for flexible automation, using computer controlled machines that can quickly be re-programmed to perform different tasks

Robotics – the science of using robots in production processes to replace people. Especially where such processes are monotonous or hazardous

Computer aided manufacturing – involves a computer in a variety of manufacturing tasks beyond the use of robots on the production line. These include stock control and ordering goods

Main reasons for using technology:

Improve products - Increase competitiveness and / or

pursue growth opportunities.

Improve processes - Increase efficiency… reduce costs,

maximise sales, share, profits,

profitability, return on investment

The main methods used within technology within the manufacturing industry:

·         Automation

·         Robotics

·         Computer aided manufacturing

Opportunities/Benefits:

Key Facts and Figures:

1.     Technology allows businesses to meet the demands of the customers that they supply for

2.     3D printing - Allows all sorts of businesses to make things at low costs, therefore costs will decrease and make products finished to a higher quality, die to the loss of human error within the production process.

1.     Jaguar – “create the Jaguar that’s the perfect fit with your lifestyle, driving style and personal tastes” – this creates a unique selling point for the business and therefore will attract customers

2.     Print it: About 5% of the Strakka Dome is 3D printed. Within the next five to 10 years Strakka's Dan Walmsley thinks that's likely to be closer to 70-80% - “ 3D printing enables us to try things, to test things, sometimes we're right, sometimes we're wrong, but it gives us a clear direction, it enables us to extract the best performance from the car."

Threats/Problems:

Key  Facts and Figures:

1.     Jobs are not satisfying in the 3D printing sector

2.     Patents will expire that are protecting the product’s and ideas from being copied

1.     One employee had this to say about MakerBot, as recently as last week: “Unfortunately, the company structure is completely disorganized after a certain merger (Stratasys Acquisition) and has created a rather chaotic environment. The pay is also less than ideal.”

“Only 27% of these MakerBot employees have a positive business outlook for the company, while just a measly 28% would recommend that their friends get a job there.”

2.     The 3-D printing market could triple by 2018. But the patents set to expire in 2014 concern laser sintering, one of the oldest and lowest-cost 3-D printing technologies on the market. A lack of competition caused by intellectual property protections keeps that price high, the theory goes, and when…