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23 October 2012

Job Shop 2012 Life in a double-dip economy: investing in new equipment?

• Sector: Job Shop Business Meeting
• Location: JCB Headquarters, Rocester, Staffs, ST14 5LS
• Attendees: All AILU Members and non-member Job Shops

 

 

Presentations and forum discussions

The annual business meeting for AILU Job Shop members dealing with topical subjects in the laser sub-contract sector. An opportunity to learn, to network and to discuss the major issues of the day.

The annual ‘JS’ series of business meetings are designed to be of value and interest to laser job shops. In so doing, they facilitate trust between businesses that compete, in order for them to work together on topics of common interest or concern. The first of these took place in 2001 and never have they been more important than in these last few difficult years.

The strength and the benefits of the job shop group grows with the number of members we
have and, as last year, we are inviting a lot of the jobshops who haven’t yet attended to come along and see for themselves the benefits of belonging to a friendly group of competitors.

The theme of JS 2012 is ‘Investing in new equipment’ and will address such things as fibre vs CO2 and grants for new equipment. Some job shops have received substantial grants over the last year so you need to hear these talks – there really is grant money out there but the
government is keeping it all quiet.

Other topics include: Is there a world helium shortage – and how would this affect laser users; overview of results of the 2012 job shop surveys (this includes the range of charges for electricity and of user satisfaction with the service provided when flatbed cutting machines break down); and, in short commercial presentations, laser cutting-related equipment, materials and services.

After a good lunch we will have a general question and answer session lead by a panel of jobshop owners – this year the theme will be minimising costs, with lots of money-saving tips. It may sound odd to discuss such things with competitors but those who have taken part in the past know that you can learn a lot without discussing commercially sensitive information. For example, we may compare: the financial services offered by our banks; variations in steel prices; or where to buy the cheapest lenses. Everyone involved gets useful information that may save them thousands of pounds. Sounds like an old boys network? – it is – come and join us! The day will be rounded off by a not-to-be-missed tour of the production line at JCB.

Download a flyer here

 

Venue

JCB World Headquarters,
Rocester,
Staffs,
ST14 5LS

(T: +44(0) 1889 590312)

Get directions here

Ample car parking is available.

Delegates

On arrival you will receive a delegate pack containing a name badge, a detailed programme and a delegate list. The pack will also include a name and password for downloading PDFs of the presentations, which will be made available on the AILU web site as soon as possible after the event.

A buffet lunch (including a vegetarian option) will be provided. Please advise us of special dietary needs.

Our thanks to David Lindsey of Laser Process and David Connaway of Cirrus Laser who are generously sponsoring the morning and afternoon refreshment breaks, respectively.

Programme

9.30 – 10:00 Registration

9.30 – 10:00 Refreshments (Courtesy of Dave Lindsey, Laser Process)

10:00 – 11:00 Presentations
Introduction to the meeting
John Powell    Chair of the AILU Job Shop Group

Introduction to Manufacturing at JCB (provisional title)
John F Smith   JCB

Pros and cons of fibre delivered cutting
John Powell   Laser Expertise

Experience of fibre cutting machine users
Dave Connaway   Cirrus Laser, and others

Comment on the current helium shortage
John Powell   Laser Expertise

11:00 - 11:20 Refreshment break (Courtesy of Dave Connaway, Cirrus Laser)

11:20 – 12:50 Presentations
Leasing and asset finance for laser machines
Stuart Mann and David Straw   Lombard

Overview of the 2012 job shop survey results
Members of the Job Shop Committee

Something new: short commercial presentations
FOL-AJ fibre laser
David Leah and Simon Scott    Amada UK

New from Bystronic
Martin Arnold    Bystronic UK

New cutting machines from Mitsubishi
Wayne Hipkiss   World Machinery

Optics handling and cleaning
Andy Waterhouse    II-VI UK

A stress free approach to levelling 20mm
Simon Danks   United Steels

What EIC can offer laser job shops
Neil Cressy and Adam Baker    EIC (Energy Information Centre)

12:50 - 13:50 Lunch

13:50 - 15:00 Question and answer time

Minimising costs
A panel of job shop owners lead a question and answer session.
Including Dean Cockayne, Martin Cook, John Powell

15:00 – 16:00 Tour of the JCB Production Line

16:00 Close
 

Registration

Registration fee; including presentations, lunch and an escorted tour of the JCB production line is GBP 95.00 (75.00 + optional 20.00 JCB tour) +VAT

(Please note: We usually hold Job Shop Business Meetings at or close to the premises of a company that is an equipment supplier to the job shop community, on the basis that the company will cover the cost of the venue hire, lunch and tour. Understandably, AILU is having to cover these costs this year, which is why the registration fee is higher that usual. We will be back to a supplier company next year and the fee will go down again.)

EARLYBIRD DISCOUNT: Register before 12 October and you will receive a 10% discount

Members: The simplest way to register is by phoning (01235 539595) or emailing (courses@ailu.org.uk) the AILU office with your name. We will invoice you later.
Or register on-line by clicking here.

If you later wish an other employee to attend in your place simply let us know; there is no extra charge.

For group discounts (three or more) please contact the AILU office.

If as an AILU member you wish to bring a non-member as a guest, this is permitted; however, please contact the AILU office.

The meeting is open to AILU members ONLY. If you are NOT an AILU member the job shop group would still like to welcome you to this event and make this Special Offer: join AILU before the meeting and you can come to the 2012 job shop event free of charge. Register for AILU Membership on-line now.

Accommodation

The closest town, 5 miles away, is Uttoxeter. The JS Committee will be holding a committee meeting the night before in Uttoxeter. Delegates are warmly invited to join them for an informal dinner at around 8 pm. Please contact the AILU office for details of the
restaurant.

Travel

Rocester is approximately located on a line between Derby and Stoke-on-Trent, about 20 miles from each. By car, see directions on the AILU event page or use the postcode in a satnav.