Jul 09, 2013 
SMART Group, Europe’s largest technical trade association focusing on surface mount and related technologies, announces that its annual SMART Group European Conference & Table Top Exhibition will be held from 2-3 October 2013 at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Cornmarket Thame, Oxfordshire, England.
The theme of this year’s conference is improving efficiency and competitiveness in order to win offshore manufacturing business. This theme also is seen in the context of government initiatives in manufacturing technology centres, shortening the amount of time from idea to product. Raspberry Pi is a good example of this. Representatives will explain to attendees how it accomplished this goal as well as discuss its long-term objectives.
The Raspberry Pi * is a credit-card sized Linux computer that provides a low-cost platform to teach programming and electronics to a worldwide community ranging from school children to adults. Initially manufactured in China, the desire was to reshore the manufacture in the UK and Sony won the contract to achieve that. It now is responsible for the majority of the manufacture.
“Innovative product design on its own is not as effective as a more holistic and inclusive approach. If you consider electronic design, manufacturing methods, supply chain, sustainability and competitive economics all together, you can optimize the production process to a point where reshoring is a viable option,” said Pete Lomas, SMART Group speaker and Director of Engineering at Norcott Technologies, a leading provider of electronic design and manufacturing solutions to customers ranging from small technology start-ups through to global blue chip companies.
For additional information or to register to attend, contact Tony Gordon at info@smartgroup.org or +44 [0]1494 465217.
*Pete Lomas is also a co-founder and Trustee of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a registered UK Charity.
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