Conference to improve efficiency and drive sustainability

Attendees at EMConf in 2023

A major conference is set to help engineering and manufacturing companies improve efficiency and drive sustainability this month, as it throws the spotlight on the latest developments in maintenance. The EMN Spring Conference (EMConf) — Maintenance, Repair, Operations & Asset Management takes place on 29 April at The Work Place in Newton Aycliffe.

It will focus on innovations and best practice in maintenance, repairs and asset management. It has been organised by the Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN) and is sponsored by SMS Technology Ltd. Expert speakers from across the engineering and manufacturing sector will be sharing their insights and advice, to help businesses enhance their operations and adopt new technology. Presentations will cover topics such as preventative maintenance, automation, AI and cyber security.

Confirmed speakers at the conference include: Mark Cawley, CEO of RS Industrial Services; Mark Griffiths, chief commercial officer of New Motion Labs; Chris Mosley, manufacturing manager at Middlesbrough-based hydraulic engineering company Industrial and Marine Hydraulics (IMH); Jon Elwell, founder of RFID inventory control systems specialist T Box Tech; Martin Reynolds, director at engineering design firm SUBCO Engineering; and David Crosby, technical director at managed IT solutions provider CMYK Technology Ltd.

EMConf – Maintenance, Repair, Operations and Asset Management will also feature a panel session on ‘Repair and Replace’ and will also include breakfast, lunch and networking. This event is designed for maintenance engineers, team leaders and managers, operational engineers and managers, directors and senior leadership teams.

Pictured right: EMConf 2024

Developed from the strong engineering and manufacturing heritage of County Durham, EMN is a long-standing cross-sector network dedicated to building and strengthening the whole of the North East of England’s engineering and manufacturing community, from SMEs to multinationals. Its membership stretches across the region.

Ailsa Anderson, director of development at EMN, said: “After the success of 2024’s EMConf, which saw the engineering and manufacturing community come together to discuss staff recruitment and retention, we are delighted to be hosting our spring conference once again.”

Insights and guidance
She continued: “Our speakers are helping to shape the future of maintenance and asset management, and will provide delegates with actionable insights and guidance on new technology, that they can take back to their businesses. In the spirit of EMN, there will also be opportunities for audience members to share their experiences, learn from each other and build new connections.”

Richard Bradley, chairman of EMN and managing director of Dyer Engineering, added: “As engineering and manufacturing businesses are under increasing pressure to become more efficient and reduce their carbon footprints, there is clearly a need to adopt more innovative approaches to maintenance and embrace new technology. We are therefore very excited that our members and other companies from the sector will have the chance to boost their knowledge at EMConf and discuss their own challenges with their peers.”

EMN’s goal is to have 80% of its membership consisting of engineering and manufacturing firms, with 20% of members hailing from the service sector. EMN members can access impartial, peer to peer advice via its community of engineering and manufacturing businesses, and the organisation offers informed signposting and personal introductions, workshops, site visits and the annual EMCON manufacturing and engineering showcase.

In 2024, EMCON attracted nearly 900 visitors and more than 100 exhibitors from North East England and beyond. This year, EMCON will be held at Sunderland Live in Houghton-le-Spring on 18 September. EMConf – Maintenance, Repair, Operations & Asset Management is free for EMN members and engineering and manufacturing businesses, and is £16.96 per ticket for service providers (non-members).

To register for the conference, click here.