Experts to focus on energy, efficiency, skills, asset management at PE Live

Manchester, UK - Visitors to the Process Engineering Live event, which takes place at Manchester Central on 10 and 11 March 2009, will have the chance to participate in a highly focused conference programme. The event features free-to-attend, half-day sessions on four critical topics - Energy & Environment, People & Skills;  Asset Management and Maintenance; Process Improvement Techniques.

Conference speakers include Phil Jones, chief executive of the National Skills Academy Process Industries, Joanna Woolf CEO of the Cogent Sector Skills Council, Paul Wiggins, MCERTS expert the Environment Agency and John Holland, training manager, United Biscuits, as well as top level presenters from Bayer Technology Services, the Institute of Asset Management, Chemicals Northwest and NEPIC (the North East Process Industries Cluster).

Looking at energy and the environment, visitors will be able to catch up on the leading edge work of companies in the North East Process Industries Cluster. They will also learn about meeting the requirements of the Environment Agency’s Monitoring Certification Scheme, and hear from Andy Clegg of Industrial Systems and Control on the decision making process involved in introducing and running an effective energy efficiency programme.

Meanwhile Martin Wolf PhD, head of technology evaluation at Bayer Technology Services will give a presentation on "The Bayer Climate Check - energy efficiency to address the climate challenge".

The People & Skills session is  being hosted by the National Skills Academy for the Process Industries and Cogent, which have recently secured a £50-million training fund for the UK process industries. Session speakers will address the critical effect of skills shortages and show how employers can address these shortages, train their staff and maximise the skills base within their plant.

The Asset Management session will focus on best practice for the management of physical assets and infrastructure. Topics covered include whole life performance, asset management using BSI PAS 55, asset performance management and life-cycle management. Speakers include Alan Laird of TWPL, Dirk Frame of TA Cook, Tony Alexander of Honeywell Process Solutions, and MCP director Noel Grinsted.

The Process Improvement session includes speakers from Chemicals Northwest, PICME and Copa Data. Themes include how companies can find new ways to improve competitiveness, the value of lean thinking, and effective communication between the shop floor and the business.

Process Engineering Live covers every aspect of the UK process industry, from essential physical components such as drives, controls, pumps, fluid and solid handling, valves and sensors through to automation and integration solutions, safety systems, design and CFD software.

Process Engineering Live is supported by The National Skills Academy for the Process Industries, The British Pump Manufacturers Association, Profibus, Cogent, and the British Valve and Actuators Association.

To register for a free ticket to Process Engineering Live, and to reserve conference places, please visit www.processengineeringlive.co.uk