Online registration is now open for the programme of free, industry-focused seminars that will run across all three days of the Drives & Controls Show and its allied exhibitions at the Birmingham NEC from 8-10 June. The programme includes a variety of half-hour presentations, ranging from technical seminars to talks on marketing strategies.

The speakers will include:
•  Paul Huggins, head of financial services at the Carbon Trust, who will offer advice on obtaining funding from the Trust;
•  Steve Brambley, deputy director of Gambica, who will give guidance on choosing efficient motors and drives, and will outline the new IEC motor efficiency classes and the EU’s Eco-design Directive;
•  Andrew Harry, chief executive of the British Gear Association, who will discuss gearbox safety and the ATEX directive;
•  Steve Barker, representing the Gambica variable speed drives group, who will talk about maximising cost reductions and improving competitive advantage;
•  Stuart Robinson, UK services manager at Pilz, who will look at the potential problems of using Ethernet for safety-based networking, and their solutions; and
•  Professor Len Gelman, director of the Centre for Vibro-Acoustics and Fatigue at Cranfield University, who will be talking about new technologies for condition monitoring and proactive maintenance.

Another speaker is Graham Allinson, head of manufacturing, transport and logistics at Barclays Commercial Bank, who will give an insight into what banks look for when they lend money to manufacturers.

Space at the free seminars is limited, so early on-line registration is recommended. To register, you simply complete the online registration form for show visitors, which includes a section for seminar-goers.