Manufacturing
Manufacturing News
Aberlink Fulcrum CMM
The Fulcrum is a revolutionary manual CMM, by employing a three-rotary axis design, Aberlink have created a compact and portable design enabling it to be used where it is needed, on the shop floor near your machine tools. Designed to optimize inspection as parts come off the machine one op at a time, feeding back […]
Read MoreAdditive manufacturing quality and Wenzel Metrology Inspection
The Prototal Group is Europe’s largest provider of 3D printing, injection moulding and vacuum casting. With 10 sites across Europe including Prototal UK (formerly 3tamp) based in Newbury and since 2022, 1zu1 Prototypen GmbH & Co KG, based in Dornbirn, Austria. Today, 1zu1 has 160 employees, and produces prototypes, small series and series parts for […]
Read MoreK & M UTILISE PSL DATATRACK FOR EFFICIENCY AND GROWTH
In the competitive world of subcontract precision engineering, staying ahead of the curve is paramount to success. For K & M Precision Engineering Limited, a family-run business based in Lancashire, the quest for efficiency and growth has led to investment in a PSL Datatrack production control software system. Founded in 1998 by Kevin Taylor and […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Late October 2023
A Swedish-based business has confirmed it is closing a UK factory with the loss of 300 jobs after more than a century of manufacturing. SKF began production in Luton in 1911, under the name Skefko Ball Bearing Company, the company’s first site outside Sweden. Closure of the site was first proposed in May, and now […]
Read MoreIndustrial Metal News – Late October 2023
Rare earth exploration and development company, Pensana, says the Government has offered up to £4m towards the funding required to build a rare earth oxide separation facility in the Humber Freeport at Saltend. The Saltend project will deliver 450 jobs during construction and 150 jobs in operation with a significant opportunity for further expansion. Pensana […]
Read MoreEfficient Medical Implant Cleaning with In Line Spray and Ultrasonic Immersion Technology
In the manufacturing of medical implants, cleaning is a critical step to ensure the quality and safety of the final product. Aqueous ultrasonic immersion lines have long been the standard way of cleaning oils and compounds from medical implants, but heavily contaminated parts require filtration and regular fluid with detergent changes. Even with filtration and […]
Read MoreAdvanced Materials and Surface Finishing Processes: The Role of Technical Ceramics and Diamond Abrasives
Technical ceramic materials have revolutionised the modern world, playing an essential role in various industries. From aerospace to electronics, automotive to power generation, these advanced materials are ubiquitous, contributing to increased efficiency and productivity in many applications. The unique properties of technical ceramics, including high strength, durability, and thermal stability, make them an ideal choice […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Early July 2023
South Yorkshire is to become UK’s first Investment Zone, creating an expected 8,000 jobs and bringing £1.2bn of private investment by 2030. Using government support worth £80m, the Investment Zone will use the region’s success in advanced manufacturing and will help make South Yorkshire the best place to start, scale or relocate businesses from around […]
Read MoreSteel News – Early June 2023
The chairman of Tata Steel UK has called for a “level playing field” as it seeks UK government subsidies to decarbonise its Port Talbot steelworks. Henrik Adam said European competitors were receiving “billions of pounds” from governments to transition to greener operations. UK ministers have reportedly offered Tata £300m for decarbonisation. The UK government said […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Early June 2023
International technology group, Andritz, is to supply new furnaces for UK’s largest open die forge. Following a formal tender process, Andritz, which has its headquarters in Austria, has received an order worth more than £20m from Sheffield Forgemasters, to supply seven new furnaces for the company’s proposed 13,000 tonne forging line. With no UK companies […]
Read MoreEngineering News – Late May 2023
Global metal cutting firm Sandvik Coromant has launched its new manufacturing hub in Halesowen. The company, which has been based at the site since 1958, has invested in a revamp of the space, which has included demolishing the previous building to create a new hub for manufacturing innovation and customer service. “Our ties to the […]
Read MoreIndustrial Metals News – Late May 2023
Watercycle Technologies, a Manchester-based deep tech company focused on developing sustainable, high-yield, low-cost, mineral extraction and water treatment systems, has achieved a milestone, it said For the first time it has successfully produced lithium carbonate from naturally occurring geothermal brines in the North East of England. This represents a major step forward in the UK’s […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Early May 2023
More than two-thirds of West Midlands businesses expect to see their export sales grow in the next year. Research from Alibaba Group UK, in partnership with Institute of Export and International Trade, found that 77% of businesses based in the region are currently exporting. A survey of 3,000 firms found 67% in the West Midlands […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Early May 2023
More than two-thirds of West Midlands businesses expect to see their export sales grow in the next year. Research from Alibaba Group UK, in partnership with Institute of Export and International Trade, found that 77% of businesses based in the region are currently exporting. A survey of 3,000 firms found 67% in the West Midlands […]
Read MoreUnlocking the Secret to Effortless Aluminium Mirror Polishing
The challenge of achieving a uniform and high-quality polished surface on aluminium mirrors has long been a technical barrier. However, Professor David Walker, Professor of Ultra Precision Surfaces at Huddersfield University, has discovered a solution to this problem – the Kemox SF slurry. The application of this slurry was tested in polishing a 480mmø aluminium […]
Read MoreEngineering News – Late April 2023
Productive Machines, an artificial intelligence (AI) start-up from The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), has raised £2.2m in seed funding. This will be used to make its advanced machine tool process optimisation technology available to a far wider range of manufacturers worldwide. UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S) led the funding […]
Read MoreIndustrial Metals News – Late April 2023
Metal markets seem to think copper is the new lithium. A lack of new mining activity has added to worries that there won’t be enough of the red metal for the energy transition, a popular topic at this week’s World Copper Conference in Santiago, Chile. South America currently dominates copper production and Chile is the […]
Read MoreIndustrial Metals News – Early April 2023
Derbyshire-based metal traders KJB Consulting (Global) has bought metal recycling firm Peterborough Metals Recycling, which trades as BW Riddle. The deal will see Barlborough-based KJB Consulting’s workforce grow from 15 to 70 strong with the addition of 55 employees from Lincolnshire-based BW Riddle, which was formed in 1956, and increase turnover from £25m to £90m. […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Late March 2023
Bodycote notched up double digit profit growth across all its operations last year as it revealed operating profits of £112.2m for 2022, on growing revenues of £743.6m. The Macclesfield-headquartered heat treatment specialist also saw net debt decline to £33.4m (2021: £51.9m). Bodycote has more than 165 facilities around the world which are organised into two […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Late February 2023
Tonnes of rare earth elements – essential for technology such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and smart phones – could be recycled in future thanks to £15 million of government funding for cutting edge research to strengthen supply of critical materials. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/15-million-funding-boost-to-strengthen-supply-of-critical-minerals?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=e35c2a76-2c2a-40b4-9a6a-055cdc0c9073&utm_content=daily An engineering firm has said it expects to create up to 500 […]
Read MoreSuperfinishing: Refining Surfaces with Kemet’s PR3 Composite
Superfinishing is the process of producing a smooth and reflective surface finish on a workpiece.It is commonly used in the manufacturing industry to improve the performance and longevity of a component. Achieving a surface finish of Ra value below 0.01µm is a significant challenge and often requires compromise in the traditional superfinishing process. Kemet, a […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Late January 2023
The Made Smarter Innovation Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, has launched a new £6m late-stage robotics and automation industrialisation funding call for collaborative research and development. Projects can seek grant funding for project values up to £4m. The competition is open to applications from projects that: Are robotic or automation focused within a factory production […]
Read MoreConquer Your Ultrasonic Cleaning Challenges with Kemet’s Touch of ‘Genius’
Kemet International, a renowned manufacturer and distributor of surface finishing and cleaning technologies, has once again set a new standard in the industry with the release of its new Versa Genius+ cleaning system. This modular, compact, and smart system is an upgrade to the successful Versa+ range and comes with ground-breaking features that ensure maximum […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – December 2022
Manufacturing output is set to contract next year as the deteriorating economic conditions at home and abroad impact on the sector, with increasing costs across the board, tighter fiscal and monetary policy and weakening consumer demand forming a perfect storm. The forecast was made in the Make UK/BDO Q4 Manufacturing Outlook survey which shows manufacturing […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – November 2022
UK manufacturers reported a rise in output in the three months to November, the first increase since the three months to July 2022, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey. However, production is expected to decline in the next quarter. The survey found that while stocks remained broadly adequate, total order books and export […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Late October 2022
Britain’s manufacturers are set to ramp up their investment with a focus on boosting skills, net zero and R&D according to a major survey published today by Make UK and RSM UK. The survey also shows that while manufacturers support the decision to make the Annual Investment Allowance permanent, the measure overwhelmingly backed to boost […]
Read MoreManufacturing News – Early October 2022
British manufacturing output fell for a third month in a row in September and orders declined for a fourth consecutive month, hurt by falling foreign demand, according to a closely watched survey released on Monday. The S&P Global manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 48.4 from August’s 27-month low of 47.3 but remained below […]
Read MoreReducing Costs Within the Value Stream
Like all businesses, when times are tough, it’s important to look at reducing costs within the value stream. One area Kemet International has been helping companies reduce their costs is the overhaul and repair of mechanical seals within pumps and valves. There are many different designs of mechanical seals and a huge range of materials. […]
Read MoreUK Steel Company Secures $865 Million to Build Manufacturing Plant in Saudi Arabia
UK steel company secures $865 million to build manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. The funds will be used to establish an integrated manufacturing plant within Ras Al-Khair Industrial City in the Kingdom, which is said to produce approximately 1.8 million tons of steel billets. UK-based J.O. Steel Holdings PLC has secured a $692 […]
Read MoreWMG at University of Warwick Establishing WCE to help UK manufacturers Deliver Next Gen Electric Vehicles
Integrating Mitsubishi Electric’s robotic solutions, Horizon Instruments and the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), part of the University of Warwick, have created the first automated solution which combines two key operations in rotor assembly. This innovative setup for magnetisation and magnet bonding in electric motors includes a compact and flexible setup, which leverages a four-axis […]
Read MoreManufacturing Production in August suffers Steepest Contraction Since May 2020
August saw manufacturing production suffer its steepest contraction since May 2020. Companies experienced a sharp reversal in new orders, with demand from domestic and overseas clients contracting sharply. This led to a near stalling of jobs growth and drop in business optimism. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index® […]
Read MoreWest Midlands Potential for £1.5bn Manufacturing Dividend
The West Midlands has the potential for a £1.5bn a year manufacturing dividend, according to new analysis by the UK’s strategic hub for industrial research. The High Value Manufacturing Catapult analysis marks the move of its HQ to Innovation Birmingham, part of the Bruntwood SciTech network and Birmingham’s leading digital and tech campus. Formed […]
Read MoreUK Manufacturers Report Slight Fall in Output in 3 months to September
UK manufacturers reported a slight fall in output in the three months to September, with a much sharper decline expected in the next three months, according to the latest CBI/Accenture monthly Industrial Trends Survey. This is the weakest expectation for output growth since the three months to January 2021. The survey found that total […]
Read MoreMajority of UK manufacturing SMEs Predicted Turnover Growth Over Next 12 Months
A significant majority of UK manufacturing SMEs are predicted turnover growth in the next 12 months, new research from Paragon Bank has found. A survey of over 1,000 SMEs, conducted by Opinium on behalf of Paragon found that, despite wider economic challenges, 45% of firms in the sector are expecting turnover to increase, with […]
Read MoreSave on Elbow Grease with Kemet Mould Tool Cleaning Solutions
Known for over 60 years in the mould and tool industry for their Diamond Pastes and other polishing consumables and equipment, Kemet International Ltd have another offering to the industry; A cleaning process that can bring any used mould tool back to a near new condition, removing any contamination in less than an hour – […]
Read MoreMajor players join University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre
Six major players in the forging and forming industries have joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) Group, just months after it established an outreach office in Sheffield to support a cluster of innovative companies vital to the UK’s transition to a greener economy. […]
Read MoreHVM Catapult opens offices in Bruntwood SciTech’s Circle Square
A leader in UK manufacturing technology innovation is to open offices in the centre of Manchester, which could help the region close its manufacturing output gap of £500m. The High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult), as well as deep tech innovation organisation, CPI, are taking space in Bruntwood SciTech’s Circle Square, close to the University […]
Read MoreUK manufacturing falls for the first time since February 2021
UK manufacturing output fell for the first time since February 2021 in the three months to August, with no growth expected in the three months ahead. That’s according to the latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey from the CBI and Accenture. Manufacturers also reported order books falling below “normal” levels, and expectations for selling price inflation […]
Read MoreManufacturing Assembly Network (MAN) embarks on major recruitment drive
A unique collective of manufacturers are embarking on a major recruitment drive after a string of reshoring wins and new breakthroughs in electrification technology. The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which comprises eight sub-contract manufacturers and a specialist engineering design agency, has got more than 50 different vacancies currently up for grabs and is urging people […]
Read MoreThe perfect NDT solution – Liquid Penetrant Testing
The perfect NDT solution for inspection of components, Liquid Penetrant Testing or Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) is commonly used in the aerospace industry. Precision surface finishing leaders, Kemet, now offer FPI systems with advanced process control that ensures repeatability, process safety and traceability of each batch within the set parameters. Designed and built by renowned […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Early July, 2022
MANUFACTURING UK manufacturing loses more steam in June. British manufacturing lost more momentum in June than first estimated as new orders contracted at the fastest rate in two years, according to a survey that adds to signs of a stalling economy. Read More Britain’s manufacturers are leading the charge towards net zero and decarbonising their […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late June, 2022
MANUFACTURING UK manufacturing growth slows as output, new orders and employment rise at weaker rates. Growth in the UK manufacturing sector eased during May, as rates of expansion in output, new orders and employment all decelerated. The slowdown was driven by weaker growth of domestic demand, lower intakes of new export work and ongoing disruption […]
Read MoreNational Manufacturing Day – 7th July 2022
National Manufacturing Day is a chance for UK manufacturers to open their doors and show the local community behind the scenes access to a sector of global importance that plays a pivotal role in the economic life of local communities across the UK.
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late April, 2022
MANUFACTURING The next generation of materials to meet the needs of UK manufacturing are set to be developed by a new state-of-the-art research centre that has officially opened 20 April 2022. The University of Sheffield has officially opened a new state-of-the-art research centre to develop the next generation of materials to meet the needs of […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Early April, 2022
MANUFACTURING Almost 90% of manufacturing leaders plan to invest in technology to support a hybrid workforce during the next 12-18 months, new research reveals. According to the survey by Riverbed | Aternity, 51% of business decision makers (BDMs) in the manufacturing industry believe that half (50%) of their workforce will remain hybrid post-pandemic. Additionally, the […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late March 2022
MANUFACTURING UK manufacturing output grew at a brisk pace in the three months to March, but the balance of manufacturers expecting to increase prices rose to a survey record high, according to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey. https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/strongest-manufacturing-price-expectations-in-survey-history/
Read MoreManufacturing News, March 2022
MANUFACTURING New findings on critical plant and equipment data usage within the UK’s hi-tech manufacturing industries have revealed slower-than-expected progress toward achieving sustainability and net zero carbon reduction goals. According to The Energy Blind Spots, a new report from building analytics specialist CIM that surveyed facilities managers at life sciences and micro-electronics manufacturers, only 35% […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Early March, 2022
MANUFACTURING UK manufacturing output growth picked up in the three months to February, but the balance of manufacturers expecting price rises in the next three months was at its highest since December 1976. That’s according to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey, based on responses from 224 manufacturing firms. https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/sharpest-manufacturing-price-growth-since-1976-monthly-industrial-trends-survey/
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late February 2022
MANUFACTURING The start of 2022 saw growth of UK manufacturing output and employment strengthen, as companies responded to improved new order intakes, rising backlogs of work and addressed shortfalls in capacity. Although supply chain constraints continued to stymie growth, there were signs that these were passed their peak, a factor contributing to a slight easing […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, February, 2022
MANUFACTURING Leading Artificially Intelligent Engineering (AIE) software company Monolith AI and Imperial College London will use a £500,000 Innovate UK grant to launch a project to build a new type of artificial intelligence solution that will be able to assess if metal components are manufacturable and even explain why they might not be manufacturable. While […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, January 2022
MANUFACTURING Britain’s manufacturers are more positive about the growth outlook as they enter 2022, with greater confidence in the prospects for their own companies than either the global or UK economies, according to a major survey published today by Make UK and PwC. Optimism tempered by fight for talent and escalating input costs. Three quarters […]
Read MoreManufacturing November, 2021
MANUFACTURING Small and medium-sized manufacturers are continuing to bounce back from the pandemic, despite experiencing significant supply chain and recruitment struggles, new research shows. According to the latest Manufacturing Barometer, which surveyed more than 400 SMEs across the UK, nearly two thirds (64%) of companies are expecting to grow over the next six months and […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, November, 2021
MANUFACTURING The Autumn Budget 2021 took place as the UK focuses on recovery from a period of unprecedented global economic uncertainty and challenge. Some of the key announcements to impact the manufacturing sector are: Infrastructure, transport and investment As part of his plan for levelling up transport across the UK, Rishi Sunak put forward a […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, October 2021
MANUFACTURING West Midlands manufacturers are continuing to see strong growth prospects as economies continue to open up and the economic recovery strengthens, according to a survey published today by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. Having seen a brutal 10% decline in output in 2020, the sector in the UK overall is now set […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Early September, 2021
MANUFACTURING Digital transformation business PTC has agreed a new partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre that will help industry embrace the latest technologies. PTC, which employs over 200 people in the UK, has become a Tier 2 member at the MTC and, as part of the agreement, will commit to providing the latest Augmented Reality, […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, August 2021
MANUFACTURING The University of Huddersfield’s Centre for Precision Technologies will receive £3m over the next five years to lead research programmes to drive significant advancements in machinery design and performance. The news follows the Government’s recent announcement that over £100m of new investment through its Strength in Places Fund will support five new landmark regional […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, July 2021
MANUFACTURING New Manufacturing Advisory Panel to support the manufacturing sector in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has set up a new Manufacturing Advisory Panel to support and accelerate the growth, productivity, and competitiveness of the manufacturing economy in the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The D2N2 LEP estimates the […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late June, 2021
MANUFACTURING Britain’s manufacturers are accelerating as growth prospects become significantly more positive for the rest of the year, according to a major survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. Having seen a brutal 10% decline in output in 2020, the sector is now set to recover a significant amount of that loss […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Early June, 2021
MANUFACTURING SME manufacturers are confident of more sales, more jobs and more investment in the coming months. Confidence amongst SME manufacturers is at its highest level for two years according to the latest Manufacturing Barometer, carried out by SWMAS (the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service) and the Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP). Nearly two thirds of […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late May 2021
MANUFACTURING SME manufacturing output held flat in the three months to April but is expected to improve markedly in the coming quarter, according to the CBI’s quarterly SME Trends Survey. The survey of 260 SME manufacturing firms saw optimism grow considerably, at the fastest pace in seven years. Sentiment regarding export prospects continued to fall, although at a much slower pace […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, May 2021
MANUFACTURING Manufacturing optimism in the three months to April improved at its quickest pace since April 1973, while investment intentions saw a strong, broad-based rebound, according to the latest CBI quarterly Industrial Trends Survey. The survey of 288 manufacturers found that firms expect to increase capital expenditure on buildings, plant & machinery, product & process […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, April 2021
MANUFACTURING The UK market for subcontract manufacturing continued its recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic with a 25% increase on the previous quarter. The latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) stood at 84 for the first quarter of 2021 (Q1) compared to 67 for the final three months of last year. The quarter started […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, March 2021
MANUFACTURING West Midlands manufacturers are seeing a mixed picture in the first quarter of the year as the continued struggles of the automotive sector hit the region. A survey published today by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO shows the brutal impact of the pandemic with the sector overall seeing a drop in output […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, March 2021
MANUFACTURING A North West pilot which has helped hundreds of SME manufacturers access technology and digital tools to boost productivity, growth and create jobs, is to continue as part of an £8m government roll-out. The successful initiative becomes part of the Government’s Made Smarter Adoption programme, which now expands into the North East, Yorkshire and […]
Read MoreManufacturing February 2021
MANUFACTURING The world of manufacturing is no stranger to going through the good times and the bad. The 2008 recession put progress and innovation on hold, and now the coronavirus is threatening to create a short-term future where production lines are firing on cylinders and one day and being turned off the next. This article […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, January 2021
MANUFACTURING The latest Contract Manufacturing Index showed that the subcontracting market was down 46% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020 compared to the previous quarter. Year on year though the market barely moved, ending 2021 1% high than it ended 2020. Those figures, though, conceal a volatile 12 months. A strong start to the […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, December 2020
MANUFACTURING Input buying volumes in the manufacturing sector have reached their highest levels since March 2019 in the run-up to the end of the Brexit transition period, according to the latest PMI. November saw rising levels of input purchasing and stockpiling, while export business rose as EU-based clients brought forward orders ahead of the 31 […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, October 2020
MANUFACTURING The latest Contract Manufacturing Index for the third quarter of 2020 (Q3) shows that the subcontract market bounced back strongly in July and August after the Covid-19 shutdown. The market fell slightly in September, but was still 14% higher than at any point in the previous quarter. The signs are that larger companies have […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, June 2020
A new initiative designed to build UK industrial capability and increase reshoring has got off to a flying start after £625,000 of orders were placed in the first few weeks. UK Manufacturing Unite (#UkMfgUnite) has been launched in response to the national effort to produce more critical components and essential equipment at home and is […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, May 2020
MANUFACTURING Black Country foundry, Midland Pressure Diecasting (MPD) is creating 10 new jobs to supply increased orders for critical components destined for the NHS, the MoD and Homeland Security in the United States. MPD was identified as a key supplier at the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic and has proactively responded by boosting its […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late March, 2020
MANUFACTURING Planning permission has been granted for the development of the state-of-the-art National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) facility. Situated on Netherton Campus at the centre of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire, the new facility is set to transform manufacturing in Scotland. Renfrewshire Council’s planning authority gave the green light to plans […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, March 2020
MANUFACTURING Planning permission has been granted for the development of the state-of-the-art National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) facility. Situated on Netherton Campus at the centre of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire, the new facility is set to transform manufacturing in Scotland. Renfrewshire Council’s planning authority gave the green light to plans […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late February, 2020
MANUFACTURING Staffordshire digger giant JCB is set to reduce production levels at its UK factories due to anticipated component shortages from Chinese suppliers hit by the coronavirus outbreak. It means a shorter working week from Monday for around 4,000 JCB and agency shop floor employees, mostly at plants at Rocester and Uttoxeter, and follows an […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Late January, 2020
MANUFACTURING UK manufacturing and services saw their best month for more than a year in January, a survey has suggested. The UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which includes the two sectors. rose to a 16-month high of 52.4, up from 49.3 in December. IHS Markit, which compiled the survey, said demand was growing in […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, January 2020
MANUFACTURING The Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) for the final quarter of 2019 showed a further deterioration in the UK subcontract manufacturing market. It fell 23% from what had already been a poor third quarter. Overall the market was 56% down on the final quarter of the previous year. https://www.qimtek.co.uk/news/engineering-capacity/subcontract-market-falls-q4 The Office for National Statistics said […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, December 2019
MANUFACTURING Smart factories could boost the global economy by at least $1.5tn over the next five years, so long as manufacturers can adopt the technologies necessary for the transformation. Adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) can unlock trillions in revenue for firms across the world according to a report by the […]
Read MoreManufacturng News, September 2019
MANUFACTURING ASK Chemicals, one of the world’s leading suppliers of foundry chemicals, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the industrial resin business from SI Group (New York, USA). With this acquisition, ASK Chemicals is reinforcing its position in the foundry market and at the same time strengthening its non-foundry business. http://ftj-2016.vertouk.com/news/ask-chemicals-to-acquire-industrial-resin-business-from-si-group-
Read MoreManufacturing News, early September, 2019
MANUFACTURING The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is planning a new facility in Liverpool, focusing on areas including improving product development and measuring emotional responses to advanced manufacturing processes. https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/new-mtc-in-liverpool-to-explore-’emotional-responses-to-advanced-manufacturing A new Digital Manufacturing Centre at Silverstone Park is forecast to generate £9m additional economic value for the area. The project is led by high-performance engineering […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, Early May 2019
MANUFACTURING Tata Chemicals Europe has announced that it will operate a new energy from waste plant (EFW) at its Lostock manufacturing site in Northwich, Cheshire in a joint venture worth nearly half a billion pounds. The chemical arm of the Indian conglomerate has reached an agreement for the plant with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, March 2019
MANUFACTURING Blockchain can simply be defined as record-keeping database technology that stores blocks of information on a chain. The information is constantly reconciled into the database, which is stored in multiple locations and updated instantly. That means the records are public and verifiable. Since there’s no central location, it is harder to hack or manipulate […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, February 2019
MANUFACTURING A new University of Sheffield led hub that combines expertise in electrical machines and manufacturing is aiming to put the UK at the forefront of the global electrification revolution. The £28m EPSRC Future Electrical Machines Manufacturing Hub, which is underpinned by a £10m award from EPSRC, has been launched to drive UK expertise in […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, January 2019
MANUFACTURING New data has shown that those who can help businesses capitalise on technological advances – such as digital technologies and automation – are seeing wages rise well above the national average. Engineering salaries are being driven up by the increasing demand for candidates with digital skills to capitalise on emerging technologies, as well as […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, December 2018
MANUFACTURING The University of Nottingham has opened a £24m Advanced Manufacturing Building (AMB), which it hopes, will keep UK manufacturing competitive for future generations. Opened by Siemens UK CEO, Juergen Maier, the AMB will be used to support teaching and research activities across the Faculty of Engineering and wider University of Nottingham. Maier said the […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, October 2018
An increasing trend to reduce the overall weight of products in multiple industries such as aerospace, renewables, construction and transportation, is driving tremendous growth in the lightweight structures market.
Read MoreManufacturing News, September 2018
The latest PMI saw UK manufacturing hit a 25-month low of 52.8 in August, with foreign demand reportedly decreasing for the first time since 2016. Tales of a further slowdown in UK manufacturing seem to be rife at the moment with much of the national and trade press covering the release of the latest purchasing […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, August 2018
Britain’s manufacturing industry has fallen to ninth in the world behind France, reversing a recovery in its performance since the financial crash.
Read MoreManufacturing News, July 2018
The UK government has rejected plans to build £1.3bn Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon on grounds of cost.
Read MoreManufacturing News, June 2018
Castings and engineering group Chamberlin has enjoyed very encouraging revenue growth after a challenging period. It had suffered technical issues at its new facility which had hit earnings and its share price, but is now ready to put those problems behind it. While the year has delivered on their revenue expectations, margins have suffered […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, June 2018
Hartlepool-based The Expanded Metal Company has announced that it is to benefit from major investment totalling up to £1m over 2018. The investment programme will reportedly include the upgrading of buildings on the company’s 25,000sqm site in Hartlepool, refurbishing specialist manufacturing equipment, acquiring new machinery and replacing existing lighting with more energy efficient LED […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, May 2018
The upturn in the UK manufacturing sector slowed further at the start of the second quarter, according to the latest Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Rates of expansion eased for output, new orders and employment, in part reflecting a weakening in the pace of expansion of new work from abroad. On the price front, input […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, April 2018
A survey of more than 240 manufacturers has found a broadly positive outlook, with 52% of firms in the sector expecting to increase their staff numbers. The survey, conducted for the Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s Manufacturing Barometer, found that the same proportion are more positive about the UK economy than this time last year, and […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, February 2018
The three-month average pay settlement in January was 2.4%. This was higher than the average of 2.1% across 2017 with the average for the month of January itself a shade higher at 2.5%. Throughout 2017 there was a gradual acceleration in pay growth across the sector as inflationary pressures kicked in and business conditions […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, December 2017
A £65m manufacturing centre of excellence is to be built near Glasgow Airport, the Scottish government has announced. The National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland (NMIS) aims to support businesses across the country and attract investment. Strathclyde University will be the anchor university for the institute. The centre will be located at Inchinnan in Renfrewshire, […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, November 2017
Business innovation is key to manufacturers’ success at home and overseas, and is seen as a critical part of their growth strategies, according to a new survey published by EEF and Santander. Business innovation helps manufacturers to do things better; it also helps them to enter new export markets, as well as to seek […]
Read MoreLloyds Bank Manufacturing Outlook, Q4 2017
UK MANUFACTURING OUTLOOK (Q4 2017) Recent data paint a more positive picture of the sector than was previously believed to be the case. Manufacturing now looks to been one of the fastest growing parts of the economy during 2017. This echoes a more global-wide acceleration in manufacturing output, reflecting an upturn in world trade. Some […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, November 2017
UK political uncertainty, particularly around Brexit, has dented British manufacturing’s appetite to invest in new plant and machinery, according to a study published by EEF and Santander. The EEF/Santander Annual Investment Monitor – which is based on discussions with 328 companies – claims that while demand conditions should be spurring on investment just one third […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, October 2017
A weaker exchange rate helped the manufacturing sector expand for the 14th month in a row in September, according to a survey of purchasing managers working in the industry. The amount of growth in new export business was close to its highest level of the past six-and-a-half years, respondents said. They cited the fall […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, July 2017
Sheffield Forgemasters International has announced a £2m investment into its melting facility to make refined steel with reduced energy consumption. Forgemasters inward investment is part of the company’s turnaround plan and drive towards operational efficiency improvements, and follows its announcement of a new intake of apprentices for 2017 across all of its business divisions. Operations […]
Read MoreManufacturing News, May 2017
Organisations which have introduced advanced automation into their workplace are seeing revenue growth, job creation and greater employee satisfaction, according to a new global survey. By 2018, almost half of companies (46) said they would need greater automation to handle the volume of tasks being generated. By 2020, nearly nine in 10 companies (86%) are […]
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