Issue #205: SMD on going from engineering to tech company
Today we look at innovation in engineering, talk space at Northumbria and say whey aye to AI, man.
Morning all! Sound the klaxon or ring your office cowbells, we’ve officially hit the dreaded summer news lull. Ok I don’t have the wolves at my door just yet, scratching for their free weekly fix of tech news, but I ain’t gonna lie… things are slowing down, as per the time of year.
However, one story which did catch my eye this week comes in the way of underwater expert, SMD. Mike Jones, Chairman of the Tyneside subsea engineering firm, spoke to Businesslive about the company’s future.
But Jamie, you fool! Why are you putting an engineering firm in the TECH Digest, mate? Have you been lying to us for two hundred issues, you scoundrel? Are you ok, er, hun?
You see, Chairman Mike Jones revealed this week how the company’s growth is coming from developing its own technology. He said: "In the past we've been an engineering company. But now I think we're more an engineering and technology company. We've had some tech and patents but we're now investing much more deeply in technology and that's a big differentiator to the past."
It’s important to remember technology is innovation, and innovation-driven companies, whether they’re creating enterprise software or cancer diagnostic tests or indeed subsea visualisation tools, are high potential companies.
Moreover, the lion’s share of jobs in the UK’s digital-tech economy come irrespective of industry. There are far more digital tech jobs in industries outside of the technology sector vertical, showing how much tech has opened up the potential of all areas of the economy.
Elsewhere we’ve got connectivity stories for you to download (not that such sexy content requires any jazzy puns to wet your whistle, my dear tech enthusiasts) and there’s further development in Lockheed Martin’s work with Northumbria University to support the growth of space skills, research and technology in the region.
Finally check out Tom Watson fun blog on breaking down AI in our Features section, jam-packed with North East examples to keep you entertained.
Maybe we did have some things to talk about after all, ey? See you next week, Jamie
This week’s news
Underwater expert SMD hopes to double workforce in next five years
Northumbria University on track for multi-satellite space mission
Sunderland: Rejected 5G mast plans to go ahead
CityFibre gets to work on ‘future-proofing’ South Tyneside with £42m investment
Features
Explaining AI (in a North East theme) - Tom Watson
Events
Couple of things to get on your radar over the next fortnight.
Middlesbrough Front End Conference 2023
A tech conference aimed at front end developers, the day will feature speakers from the likes of Shopify, Monzo and Spotify.
Where: Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt
When: Wednesday 19th July (All day)
How much: £85. Tickets here.
Hartree Centre | North East Hub launch
The North East Hub is here to support SMEs looking towards digital technology, whether that be taking the first steps into learning about data or exploring advanced IoT options that can be implemented into their organisation.
Where: The Catalyst Newcastle Helix Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5TG
When: Thursday 27th July (4-7pm)
How much: Free! Tickets here.
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