Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), which is headquartered in Guildford and part of the Airbus Group, has been able to ramp up production thanks to an investment in automation. And its operations director will tell Made in the UK how it achieved the success.
Speaking at Insider’s Made in the UK conference on 17 June in Liverpool, operations director Rob Goddard will talk about how a move to more automation has brought with it greater control over production and the capability to manufacture equipment more quickly to keep up with demand.
SSTL designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for space missions, with 450 staff working on satellite platforms, satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
“Automation has enabled us to flex our manufacturing capability in terms of personnel. Whereas orders previously were for one or two satellites, now we’re receiving requests for 10 or 20 satellites,” said Goddard. “As automation has reduced the need for hand assembly, it’s changed the balance of skills. We’ve been able to change what people do and where they sit to increase capabilities in other areas of the business.”
Joining Goddard for the conference session is Geoff Pegman, managing director, R U Robots and technical director of the National Advanced Robotics Research Centre, which is jointly run by R U Robots and Salford University. Also on the panel is David Bisset, founder at iTechnic and chair of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Advisory Board for Innovate UK.
Completing the line-up is Andrew Hodgson, chief executive officer at Soil Machine Dynamics, a company that uses remotely operated vehicles for sub-sea exploration. He is vice chair of North East LEP, chair of Subsea NE and chair of Tyne and Wear Employment and Skills Board.
The session will explore the latest developments in robotics and automated systems. It will discuss the opportunities that automated technologies bring to manufacturing; how they will create jobs, create wealth and boost productivity for Britain’s SMEs. Speakers will also discuss the need to invest in skills and make the most of the opportunities ahead.
In addition to this session there will be a further seven mini-conferences taking place on 17 June as part of Insider's Made in the UK, a key part of the International Festival for Business and the finale to Manufacturing Week.
Among the other sessions taking place will be a look at big data session to find out how greater use of data analysis is making many companies more successful financially. A session on advanced textiles will explain how businesses can innovate to create products previously deemed impossible; while there will also be an update from the head of Catapult's advanced manufacturing research centres, together with case studies from companies which are benefitting from working with Catapult centres across the UK.
Conference sessions are free to attend and will be held on:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Robotics
- Driverless Cars
- From Innovation to Commercialisation
- Advanced Textiles
- Railway
- Big Data
- Life Sciences
Places for the conference sessions are limited but still available. If you would like to register your interest in attending you can do so here.