The National Centre for Food Manufacturing, in collaboration with Business Lincolnshire, is pleased to host the first Greater Lincolnshire Food Robotics and Process Automation Conference providing you with the opportunity to explore how a systematic adoption of ground-breaking robotics and automation technologies can considerably advance the food manufacturing sector and more importantly, your operations.

The food and drink industry is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK and its challenges therefore have significant economic, environmental and social implications. The sector currently faces major unsustainable economic pressures including rising input / utility costs, labour shortages and increases in the National Living Wage. With limited opportunity to increase product prices food manufacturers are facing ever-increasing margin erosion. A significant step change in reducing processing costs is therefore urgently needed.

Attend this half day conference to hear how automation and robotics technologies can respond to the emerging and ongoing challenges in the food manufacturing sector, which alongside economic pressures include the need to maintain high standards of supply in terms of quality and safety, reduce waste and lower impacts on natural resources.

There will also be the chance to find out about a number of funding sources that Lincolnshire based SMEs in the food sector can access to set up innovation management and technology transfer projects aimed at boosting productiveness by adopting ground-breaking robotics and digital technologies.

The day is sponsored by the Interreg European project COTEMACO (Increase Competitiveness through Man and Machine Collaboration). During the conference, we will inaugurate the new UK COTEMACO factory and launch the COTEMACO funding scheme. Click here to find out more about the COTEMACO programme.

Book your place today to discover how your business can shape-up to the opportunities and challenges ahead!

Agenda

08:30 Registration and Networking Breakfast

09:15 Welcome and Presentation of NCFM

09:30 Session One – The Future of Food Manufacturing: Rise of the Robots

10:00 Coffee Break

10:20 Panel Discussion – How robotics and automation technologies can address the food and beverage industry challenges?

Discussion with key technology providers, system integrators, end-users and funders

11:00 Session Two – Food Robotics: The Investment Perspective

11:30 Session Three – Funding Opportunities for SMEs

12:15 Final Remarks

12:30 Networking Lunch, Tours of NCFM Facilities and One-to-One Funding Support Appointments

14:30 Close

Secure your place

Attendance is free of charge and places are limited so be sure to book yours today.

Please note we are only able to offer up to 2 places per company. To qualify for this funded support, your business must be a small to medium enterprise (SME) based in Greater Lincolnshire. Apologies, no support intermediaries or public bodies.

Am I eligible?

These events are available for businesses, partnerships, sole traders, and registered charities, with a trading address located within Greater Lincolnshire (North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire & Lincolnshire).

This conference is being organised in partnership with The National Centre for Food Manufacturing. By registering to attend you give your consent for the booking data to be shared with them.