The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Automation expo shows off benefits of robotics
Dundee event attracts businesses from across Britain
A robotics expo in Dundee, led by pioneering city firm SP Technology, is showcasing how automation can bring benefits to a broad range of industries.
The two-day event, which started at the firm’s premises at Camperdown Industrial Park and continues today, attracted staff from more than 60 firms across Britain.
Director Roy Henderson said the event aimed to promote automation technology and raise awareness of the sector, which it is estimated could have a global value of $269.5 billion by 2024.
He said: “We have some of our own systems on show, but importantly there are also demonstrations by our partner firms.
“It is not just manufacturers that are attending, people from other sectors including education are able to see just what the automation industry can do.”
A total of 15 key partners of the growing Dundee firm were on hand to host displays and run break-out sessions.
Mr Henderson said the event was not so much a sales pitch as an exhibition and information event that will highlight automation.
SP Technology, which has been operating since 1984 and currently employs 33 members of staff, has seen increased turnover and profitability over the last two years.
The firm has designed bespoke machines for diverse tasks in a wide range of sectors including manufacturing contact lenses, assembling medical devices and testing plumbing fittings. A lot of repeat work has boosted the order books of the company and recommendations have seen contracts come in from subsidiary companies of existing clients.
Mr Henderson added: “Most of our clients are in the UK, predominantly in Scotland, although we also have international orders.
“The Scottish market is more buoyant now than it has been over the past 10 years and we have recently put a lot of investment into the company.
“This ranges from £100,000 in machine tools to the complete replacement of office furniture.
“The pharmaceutical and medical sector remains a core market but we are not simply tied to one industry.”