The public sector spends nearly GBP 125 billion, or ten per cent of GDP, each year purchasing goods and services in the UK economy. This report focuses on whether the rules and practices relating to procurement of goods and services by public authorities hinder or help UK manufacturers in obtaining public contracts.

The public sector spends nearly £125 billion, or ten per cent of GDP, each year purchasing goods and services in the UK economy. The manufacturing sectors most heavily involved in selling to Government include food, paper and printing, pharmaceuticals, construction products, aerospace and environmental technology. Following on from two previous Committee reports which have examined issues of concern to the UK manufacturing industry (relating to skills shortages in UK manufacturing industries (HCP 493-I, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215033970) and government support for exporters (HCP 557, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215034380)), this report focuses on whether the rules and practices relating to procurement of goods and services by public authorities hinder or help UK manufacturers in obtaining public contracts. The report argues that the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) should have powers to enforce the implementation of best practice guidance on procurement policy, and recommends that OGC guidance on the use of public procurement to further social policy and equality aims does not go far enough and should be reviewed. It also highlights the need for better trained and higher quality procurement officials throughout the public service, supported by floating teams of experts in particular procurement areas.

World-renowned economist Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains that we have an opportunity to shape the fourth industrial revolu­tion, which will fundamentally alter how we live and work. Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, the developments are affecting all disciplines, economies, industries and governments, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human. Artificial intelligence is already all around us, from supercomputers, drones and virtual assistants to 3D printing, DNA sequencing, smart thermostats, wear­able sensors and microchips smaller than a grain of sand. But this is just the beginning: nanomaterials 200 times stronger than steel and a million times thinner than a strand of hair and the first transplant of a 3D printed liver are already in development. Imagine “smart factories” in which global systems of manu­facturing are coordinated virtually, or implantable mobile phones made of biosynthetic materials. The fourth industrial revolution, says Schwab, is more significant, and its ramifications more profound, than in any prior period of human history. He outlines the key technologies driving this revolution and discusses the major impacts expected on government, business, civil society and individu­als. Schwab also offers bold ideas on how to harness these changes and shape a better future—one in which technology empowers people rather than replaces them; progress serves society rather than disrupts it; and in which innovators respect moral and ethical boundaries rather than cross them. We all have the opportunity to contribute to developing new frame­works that advance progress.

Modern Manufacturing Technology: Spotlight on Future summarizes the emergence and development of modern manufacturing techniques (MMTs) with a focus on metallic and advanced material-based additive manufacturing technologies and their potential applications. Further, it explores advanced machining techniques for production of novel nanomaterials. The book also covers modern sophisticated techniques for the fabrication of ultrafine electronic devices such as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS), semiconductors, and optical systems. A dedicated chapter on manufacturing technology for Industry 4.0 is included. Features: Describes the background of manufacturing techniques in brief including the advent of and introduction to MMTs Reviews various types of MMTs established in recent years and their accelerated growth and development innovation-driven applications Overviews the physical and chemical techniques used for nanomaterials production Explores the fabrication mechanisms of MEMS, NEMS, semiconductors and optical devices Provides a conceptual overview of additive manufacturing technologies This book is geared to undergraduate and postgraduate students and professionals in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, and the manufacturing industry.

Technology and globalization are threatening manufacturing’s traditional ability to deliver both productivity and jobs at a large scale for unskilled workers. Concerns about widening inequality within and across countries are raising questions about whether interventions are needed and how effective they could be. Trouble in the Making? The Future of Manufacturing-Led Development addresses three questions: - How has the global manufacturing landscape changed and why does this matter for development opportunities? - How are emerging trends in technology and globalization likely to shape the feasibility and desirability of manufacturing-led development in the future? - If low wages are going to be less important in defining competitiveness, how can less industrialized countries make the most of new opportunities that shifting technologies and globalization patterns may bring? The book examines the impacts of new technologies (i.e., the Internet of Things, 3-D printing, and advanced robotics), rising international competition, and increased servicification on manufacturing productivity and employment. The aim is to inform policy choices for countries currently producing and for those seeking to enter new manufacturing markets. Increased polarization is a risk, but the book analyzes ways to go beyond focusing on potential disruptions to position workers, firms, and locations for new opportunities. www.worldbank.org/futureofmanufacturing

How well are European firms responding to the new opportunities for growth, and in which global value chains are they developing these new activities? The policy discussion on the future of manufacturing requires an understanding of the changing role of manufacturing in Europe's growth agenda.

Enthusiasts look forward to a time when tiny machines reassemble matter and process information but is their vision realistic? 'Soft Machines' explains why the nanoworld is so different to the macro-world that we are all familar with and shows how it has more in common with biology than conventional engineering.

Why the United States lags behind other industrialized countries in sharing the benefits of innovation with workers and how we can remedy the problem. The United States has too many low-quality, low-wage jobs. Every country has its share, but those in the United States are especially poorly paid and often without benefits. Meanwhile, overall productivity increases steadily and new technology has transformed large parts of the economy, enhancing the skills and paychecks of higher paid knowledge workers. What’s wrong with this picture? Why have so many workers benefited so little from decades of growth? The Work of the Future shows that technology is neither the problem nor the solution. We can build better jobs if we create institutions that leverage technological innovation and also support workers though long cycles of technological transformation. Building on findings from the multiyear MIT Task Force on the Work of the Future, the book argues that we must foster institutional innovations that complement technological change. Skills programs that emphasize work-based and hybrid learning (in person and online), for example, empower workers to become and remain productive in a continuously evolving workplace. Industries fueled by new technology that augments workers can supply good jobs, and federal investment in R&D can help make these industries worker-friendly. We must act to ensure that the labor market of the future offers benefits, opportunity, and a measure of economic security to all.