Building on its reputation as a best-in-class exhibition, the PPMA Show 2017 has announced the line-up for its new and improved Learning Hub, providing visitors and exhibitors with insights from influential industry experts and opinion leaders on the industry’s hottest trends and topics. From the implications and opportunities of Brexit, IIoT enabled adaptive packaging to the potential of waste and busting the myths of robotics and automation, the Learning Hub at the PPMA Show 2017 is set to deliver an unrivalled programme of informative and engaging sessions.
Early announcements include popular TED speaker and Chartered Engineer Peter Anderton. Peter, who previously worked as Production Manager for United Biscuits (UB), will take to the stage for two sessions. The first (Tues 26th, 12:00) will provide attendees with helpful insights into how to build a successful team, followed by a second session (Weds 27th, 12:00) where Peter will share his two-rule approach to great leadership and reveal what packaging chocolate Hobnobs has to do with successful management.
Joining Peter on the opening day of the show, Forbes McDougall, Head of Circular Economy for Veolia UK & Ireland, will shine a spotlight on packaging recycling faux pas from laminates, coffee cups, plastic bottles and food trays. Confirmation of Forbes’ PPMA Show appearance (Tues 26th, 11:00) follows recent news that the waste management giant has initiated a national solution to coffee cup recycling, encouraging a mass collaboration between designers, manufacturers, vendors and consumers to ensure a long-lasting solution is found. Forbes will share insights on everything from material recovery to ensuring supply chain security within the wider context of the circular economy.
Tackling one of the most widely debated and hotly-anticipated topics, Ian Wright, Director General of the Food & Drink Federation will discuss the implications and opportunities of Brexit for the food and drink industry, the UK’s largest manufacturing sector (Tues 26th, 13:30). The sector, which is larger than the automotive and aerospace sectors combined, contributes £28.2bn to the economy and employs more than 117,000 EU workers . Ian will help visitors understand the complexities of a decision which will have significant impacts on key issues including employment, trade, product regulation and Britain’s relationship with Ireland.
Another hotly debated topic to be explored within the Learning Hub is robotics and automation. Jeremy Hadall, Chief Technologist – Robotics & Automation of The Manufacturing Technology Centre will first address the myths surrounding robotic uptake in the manufacturing industries (Weds 27th, 11:00). His session will explore the benefits of automation and robotics in the food and drink industry, while exploring the myth that robots are a risk to human employees.
In a second session, Dr. Graham Deacon, Robotics Research Team Leader of Ocado Technology will reveal how Ocado’s robotics research team are using robotic manipulators to pack shopping orders (Weds 27th, 13:30). This case study led session will explore how the British online supermarket uses sensor guided robotics and 3D point cloud cameras to pick and pack groceries, guaranteeing warehouse efficiency and offering a first-class experience for its customers.
Speaking about the line-up at this year’s PPMA Show 2017, Valerio Del Vecchio, Head of Marketing, PPMA Group of Associations, said: “The new, improved Learning Hub will deliver a wide range of insightful and engaging sessions that set out to inspire visitors by providing a fresh perspective on relevant trends and issues, as well as skills applicable across all industries. By expanding the focus of the new Learning Hub with speakers such as Peter Anderton, we challenge visitors to learn more about transferable skills as shared by influential opinion leaders. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the PPMA Show 2017 for this exciting and varied speaker programme.”
The PPMA Show, the UK’s unmissable, free-to-attend, processing and packaging machinery exhibition, takes place at the NEC from 26-28 September, and provides manufacturers with insights into the latest machinery products, technologies and materials. Registration is now open and easier than ever before – taking less than three minutes for attendees to secure their place to join all corners of the industry together under one roof this autumn. The PPMA Show is organised by the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA) which comprises the PPMA, British Automation & Robot Association (BARA) and the UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA).
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