At the latest Backing Britain Breakfast Morning, from the Made in Group, speakers David Wigglesworth, Phill Mason and Graeme Thomas discussed ‘hot topics’ in manufacturing to get members thinking about their own current best practices.
30+ Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire members joined the virtual event to hear from industry leading businesses SFS Group, Ontic and Engineering Technology Group (ETG). In addition, the event was a perfect opportunity to meet like minded businesses and discuss relevant industry topics that help drive innovation in the industry. At this event speakers discussed how B2B sales are changing due to digital transformation, an example of how the pandemic proved resilience in the UK manufacturing sector and how this brought about a surge of reshoring.
Like with every virtual event from the Made in Group, members had the chance to introduce themselves and their businesses to the group of attendees.
B2B Sales are Changing - Are You?
Following on from introductions David Wigglesworth, Managing Director of SFS Group, took the spotlight to discuss digital transformation in industry - with a particular focus on B2B sales.
Whilst the pandemic has brought about eye opening changes such as the ability to work remotely and connect in a semi virtual environment, David believes that the digital transformation era has only just begun.
Many businesses have looked forward to the day ‘things go back to normal’ following the height of the pandemic. However since then, the emergence of digital in day-to-day processes continues to progress. In a recent report statistics show that ⅔ of a customer’s journey is digital, emphasising that a hybrid model of traditional and digital selling could help strengthen the way businesses operate. David said:
“It is predicted in the next 3 years that 85% of companies will sell in a hybrid commercial sales environment. The digital evolution is arriving and it is deeper and more embedded than ever before. So my question is, B2B sales are changing - are you?
Manufacturing Resilience, Growth & Reshoring
Next up members heard from Phill Mason, Business Development at Ontic, and Graeme Thomas, Group Business Development Director at ETG.
Firstly Phil discussed manufacturing resilience throughout the 2020/2021 pandemic. Whilst businesses had stuck to strict measures, some still managed to grow and innovate. An example of this comes from Ontic itself who started the year with 650 employees and a £220 million turnover and will step into next year with 1000 employees and a £400 million turnover.
However Graeme discussed how the pandemic had brought other positive change to UK businesses with the surge of reshoring. With China having issues getting goods over the UK and other countries, this forced businesses to adapt to these changes and look closer to home for what they require. Therefore whilst the last 18 months have been challenging, for businesses, it has led to positive transformation.