The fourth industrial revolution, otherwise known as digital manufacturing, is upon us. The concept of digital manufacturing has been around for about five years. Perhaps the easiest way to describe it is this: in the 1980s, when I first came into cont…Read more…
Assurances call
The UK’s auto industry workers are world-renowned for their craftsmanship — it’s thanks to them that the industry has largely flourished over the years. That Nissan pledged last week to…Read more…
End the uncertainty
In our final series installment we hear from Trish Ford, senior rep, Toyota vice-chair The automotive industry supports more than 800,000 jobs across UK, from WrightBus in Ballymena to Honda…Read more…
Brexit must keep our aerospace sector soaring
The aerospace industry is the flag carrier of UK manufacturing. From Yeovil to Broughton, Unite members are vital to the success of an international network which results in world class aircraft….Read more…
Brexit: Safeguard research call
The only way the impact of Brexit on our manufacturing sectors can be mitigated is through a proactive industrial strategy with scientific research at its centre. This is the conclusion of a new…Read more…
Govt must engage with Unite now
Unite has warned that investment decisions by major carmakers on the production of up to 15 new models in the UK are ‘hanging by a thread’ unless the government secures tariff free access to the…Read more…
In the balance
Tomorrow (Wednesday October 12) Unite’s manufacturing combine will be launching Brexit on our terms – Unite’s strategy to defend manufacturing jobs, investment and employment rights. Called…Read more…
Helicopter jobs at risk
Serious questions need to be asked about the reasons behind today’s (October 7) announcement that large scale redundancies are on the cards at the GKN plant in Yeovil which makes airframes for…Read more…
Still time to talk plea
About 150 workers at a chemical factory in East Lancashire will take industrial action in a dispute over imposed changes to their terms and conditions. The Unite members including manual…Read more…
Support manufacturing plea
“Conference, there is a clear need for the UK to have an integrated, industrial strategy – to rebalance the economy and support our manufacturing base,” said Unite delegate Charlotte Upton. …Read more…
‘Very dangerous situation’
Unite Wales has today (September 6) expressed its grave concerns for the future of Ford’s Bridgend engine plant. This follows the company’s decision to halve the plant’s proposed production of its…Read more…
Welcome investment
The engine of the UK’s manufacturing base – the automotive industry – got a boost yesterday (September 1) as the government confirmed it would inject £35m into new industrial hub in Coventry where…Read more…
Giving up not an option
Heavy manufacturing equipment firm Caterpillar announced another raft of job losses yesterday (September 1), a move which Unite has condemned, calling it another blow to Northern Ireland’s…Read more…
‘Boris bus’ builders’ jobs freeze slammed
Unite has slammed manufacturing firm Wrightbus’ recruitment freeze as the latest blow to Ballymena and Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector. The bus builders are well known for…Read more…
Vote of confidence
The £1bn contract to build trains for the newly awarded East Anglian rail franchise by Derby-based Bombardier was hailed as ‘a vote of confidence’ in UK manufacturing by Unite today (August 10)….Read more…
‘Short sighted and short term’
Quality apprenticeships granting a proper qualification and offering pathways to high-skill, well-paid jobs – especially amid a sea of bogus training schemes for young people as they struggle…Read more…
Wake-up call
The latest manufacturing figures released yesterday (August 1) have shown that the uncertainty unleashed by a Brexit vote is no passing phase. The closely-watched Markit/CIPS UK…Read more…
Unite Policy Conference 2016 – Monday’s business
The main debate of the day was on Trident, where an Executive Council Statement was agreed. It contains stronger commitments to diversification than in the past, but means Unite won’t be calling for MPs to vote against Trident until there is a governme…Read more…
Trade unions and manufacturing employers join together to warn of Brexit threat to jobs
It’s the final day of campaigning for the EU referendum and the focus must be on the economic realities of tomorrow’s decision. Today I’ve published a joint statement with Terry Scuoler, the CEO of EFF the manufacturers’ organisation. In it, we say: “Leaving would be a terrible gamble,…Read more…
Don’t put UK manufacturing at risk
The country’s biggest manufacturing union Unite welcomed the interventions today (June 15) by some of the UK’s blue chip business as they seek to rally support for the UK to remain in the…Read more…