SDT/IFST Technical Visit to NMIS (National Manufacturing Institute Scotland) - Industry 4.0 for Food Manufacturers

This will be a joint event run by the SDT (Scotland Section) and IFST Scotland Branch. The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is driving the future of manufacturing through innovation and brings together a growing network of world-class manufacturing R&D facilities. This is an opportunity to hear about what Industry 4.0 is all about and how the Food & Drink manufacturing industry can embrace new technology, become more efficient and sustainable. Take a tour of the facility and learn how your business can collaborate with NMIS on projects. 

Following this free-to-attend event will be a networking Dinner (chargeable) that all delegates are invited to attend.

Programme

Speaker: Chris Hay, Chairman for Scotland, SDT 

Chris started his dairy career at Lockerbie Creamery in 2003 progressing from a laboratory technician role to cheesemaker and then Quality Manager. Remaining with Arla Foods he moved from Cheddar to Stilton manufacture at Tuxford and Tebbutt Creamery (Melton Mowbray) in 2013 as Health and Safety Manager. At this time he commenced the Eden Dairy Technology Degree course, winning the SDT Student of the Year award in 2016. He completed his studies by topping up to a BSc(Hons) Food Manufacturing with Operations Management at Chester University.  In 2018 Chris and his family moved to Prince Edward Island, Canada, with Arla Foods where he took up the role of Production, Technology and Development Manager for 3 years. On returning to the UK he commenced a position with IFF (UK & Ireland) as Technical Sales Manager, where he remains today.

Speaker: Rachel Mirfattahi, IFST Scotland Branch, Chair 

Rachel took on the role of Chair of the IFST Scotland Branch in January 2023. She started her career as a Food Technologist working with Pillsbury dough products at Jus Rol before moving on to ready meals and air lines meals at Grampian Country Foods. She then spent the next 15 years working for Oracle on their product lifecycle management and specification software, delivering training and consultancy to food and drink manufacturers the length and breadth of the UK. Since then, Rachel has been working on a number of programmes hosted by universities within the areas of Skills Development for the Food Industry and, Innovation within the Food and Drink Supply Chain.  She is currently the Innovation Broker at Strathclyde University on the Digital Dairy Chain programme working with all areas of the dairy supply chain to bring about collaboration, innovation, and growth to the sector.
In her spare time, she enjoys singing in a community choir, going to the theatre and hill walking.

Speaker: Alistair Williams, NMIS Food & Drink Theme Lead

Alistair Williams, is the Food & Drink Theme Lead, working as part of the team at National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS). Alistair graduated as an industrial chemist and retained as a manufacturing engineer before achieving his Chartered Fellowship of the CIPD. Before joining NMIS, he worked in senior business roles, ran a successful business and was a consultant manufacturing engineer. He worked for a national, brand leading, food manufacture, as their operations director and,he has worked as an executive board director for 20 years.

At NMIS Alistair has a wide-ranging brief across the Scottish Food & Drink Industry, enabling all interested manufactures of all sizes and all sectors to enable access to the technology, talent, and funding available to engage in projects that will modernise production capabilities, embed digital technology to ensure traceability & authenticity, upcycle waste, and reduce the Carbon footprint of F&D operations. Alistair has been asked to speak on the hot topics relating to Scottish Food & Drink, and is an active participant in F&D CoPs, working groups and committees. He has a passion for Food & Drink production and passionately believes that “improvements can always be found where the people meet the process”.

Event Dinner & Newworking

Following the event there will be an opportunity to join delegates for a networking Dinner at Pendulum Scottish Kitchen & Bar with free drinks (courtesy of the IFST). The Dinner will be will be chargeable (£16.95).

The following charges will apply:  

• IFST Member Technical Visit Only - £ 0.00
• SDT Member Technical Visit Only - £ 0.00
• Non Member/Invited Guest Technical Visit Only - £ 0.00
• IFST Member Technical Visit + Dinner - £ 16.95
• SDT Member Technical Visit + Dinner - £ 16.95
• Non Member/Invited Guest Technical Visit + Dinner - £ 16.95

To book your place at the event click here to be taken to the IFST website.

DO NOT USE THE BOOKING FACILITY BELOW

Event

National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) 3 Netherton Square, Paisley, Renfrew, PA3 2EF  (Airport & Railway Station close by)

Dinner Information

2 Course Meal at Pendulum Scottish Kitchen & Bar; 11 Gauze Street, Paisley PA1 1ES
Menu choices & special dietary requirements to be made on the evening. Example menu attached https://www.pendulumscottishkitchenandbar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P-Dinner.pdf