Neil Sandhu from Sick UK has been appointed chairman of the UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA).
Sandhu takes over from Allan Anderson, managing director of ClearView Imaging, who has served two years as chairman. Anderson was elected vice chairman during the association's AGM on 29 January.
Sandhu, who is product manager for imaging, measurement, ranging and systems at Sick UK, paid tribute to Anderson’s contribution, saying: 'Allan has done a superb job in taking the association forward. In particular, he has been hugely instrumental in establishing UKIVA’s Machine Vision Conference and Exhibition as a major event in the machine vision calendar. I am also delighted that Allan will continue to serve the association and that we will be working together again during my period in office.'
Sandhu is a well-established member of the UKIVA committee and brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Looking ahead, he continued: 'The UK vision industry faces many challenges going forward, both as we emerge from the constraints of the coronavirus pandemic and as we adapt to the new trading arrangements with the EU. However, with these challenges come many opportunities. Throughout 2020, even in the most demanding economic conditions, the need for greater automation in manufacturing sectors and reductions in workforce availability have led to a surge of interest in machine vision. The extensive range of established and versatile vision technology already in use in a variety of different industries can be readily adapted to meet these emerging requirements.'
The other members of the UKIVA committee were also re-elected at the meeting. They comprise representatives from: Acrovision, Alrad Imaging, Bytronic Automation, FT System, IDS, JentonDimaco, Mettler-Toledo Safeline, Multipix Imaging, Scorpion Vision and Stemmer Imaging.
