Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Interbake is a small family-owned company based in Rossendale (Lancashire). It supplies bakery and food processing equipment. Interbake was forced to backshore after a contract with its Canadian manufacturer was terminated. In response, the company became a manufacturer itself to help to avoid a potential revenue hit. With the help of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) the company developed its own depositing machine, a move which has safeguarded revenue and jobs. The new machine has generated significant orders and inquiries. As a result of bringing the production of one of their key products to the UK, Interbake now has plans to develop a number of new food manufacturing and processing products and to expand its workforce. It has also recently purchased the adjoining unit and a further 9,000 sq.ft. of floor space. Managing director David Dunne said: "We knew that we had the expertise and know-how to build a machine that would perform even better than the one we had been importing from Canada and realized that our own machine had great potential if we could get it to market. "We’re very proud to be bringing a home-grown invention to market and working with MAS has also given us the confidence to build on this pilot product and look at what other machines we can develop and manufacture in the UK in the future." MAS adviser Nick Brandwood added: "Interbake reacted to a potential crisis by opting to design and produce their own replacement machines and as a result have been able to generate both more customers and increased profits
Eurofound (2014), Interbake, Reshoring in United Kingdom, factsheet number 212, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/212.