Some expert speakers announced for Maintec

Under the theme ‘The future of reliability, maintenance and asset management’, the 2018 programme will feature over 34 top engineering speakers delivering ten hours of free CPD accredited conference sessions across two theatres; Maintec Insights and Reliability Dialogue. 

Maintec Insights theatre will include a combination of case studies, technical insights and state-of-the-nation presentations delivered by key high-level experts from the world of maintenance engineering including keynote sessions from Dr. Jenifer Baxter, head of engineering at IMECHE, Paul Adams, maintenance strategy manager at GlaxoSmithKline, Verity Davidge, head of education and skills policy at EEF and Stephen Lewis, Consultant in Rail Technologies at British Steel.

In the session titled ‘Closing the skills gap in maintenance-related industrial sectors,’ Verity Davidge, head of education and skills policy, EEF, looks at how the shortage of skilled workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics threatens the performance of industrial organisations and shows how businesses and academia can help alleviate the skills problem.

Effective maintenance is crucial to the performance of the railways, with advances in rail welding techniques for activities such as gauge corner restoration delivering extended rail life. Stephen Lewis, consultant, rail technologies, British Steel, looks at how intelligent maintenance can improve the performance of the railway network, and describes how the railways can navigate the shift from a ‘find and fix’ philosophy towards one of ‘predict and prevent’ in his session ‘Next-generation rail technologies and maintenance activities. Technical expertise for building stronger railways.’

Dr Jenifer Baxter, head of engineering at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, will present an overview of how good maintenance programmes can improve sustainability and reduce the long-term cost of engineering equipment, delivering a boost to the bottom line. Her keynote session titled ‘How maintenance can improve performance and reduce costs,’ will also discuss emerging technologies such as Internet of Things, looking at how digital technologies can give plant managers more visibility of assets. 

In his session ‘Building a winning plant maintenance strategy for modern operational needs,’ maintenance strategy manager, global manufacture and supply, at GlaxoSmithKline, Paul Adams, will draw on his many years of experience in the field to present on how to build a winning plant maintenance strategy for modern operational needs. Looking specifically at how maintenance can act as a driver of value in an operation, the presentation will highlight the seven things all winning maintenance strategies have in common, delivering results and sustaining long term performance.

In addition, The Reliability Dialogue theatre, which is new for 2018 and sponsored by Bosch Rexroth, will address the changing face of reliability, automation and the impact this has on the future of maintenance engineering. Over a mix of presentations and panel discussions, leading experts will discuss and debate key topics facing end-users in the industry and will feature an opportunity for the audience to join in the discussion and ask questions of the panel.