CBI unveils package to keep the recovery motoring
Against a backdrop of solid UK growth but increasing global risks, the CBI is calling on the Chancellor to focus on infrastructure investment, encouraging innovation and removing barriers to enterprise, in the Autumn Statement.
Manufacturing Forum success for Brammer and Buck & Hickman
Brammer and Buck & Hickman recently hosted the eighth annual Manufacturing Forum at Silverstone. The event, an opportunity for Brammer and Buck & Hickman customers and partners to gather and discuss the current topics and issues in the manufacturing industry, was attended by more than 200 delegates.
MDS Rotherham stresses ‘systems engineering’ approach to energy efficiency
The Motor Driven Systems Conference visited The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Rotherham on Wednesday 29 October in the first of two vendor-hosted events aimed at helping industry professionals generate major financial savings from motor driven apparatus.
Brevini UK investment increases capacity
Brevini Power Transmission has completed the first stage of its development plan which will eventually see its two UK sites undergo expansion to increase its warehousing, distribution and gearbox servicing capacity. The initial investment was spent at the Scunthorpe location to optimise the gearbox service centre and expand the offices to create space for product training for customers and graduate employees.
Manufacturing Forum success for Brammer and Buck & Hickman
Brammer and Buck & Hickman recently hosted the eighth annual Manufacturing Forum at Silverstone. The event, an opportunity for Brammer and Buck & Hickman customers and partners to gather and discuss the current topics and issues in the manufacturing industry, was attended by more than 200 delegates. Among them were leaders from major manufacturers including Siemens, The Royal Mint and GKN Aerospace. Brammer and Buck & Hickman hosted several speakers, an awards ceremony, a networking lunch and panel discussion. There was also an opportunity for guests to try the virtual Formula One time trials or drive round the international circuit at Silverstone in Ferraris and Aston Martins. Brammer and Buck & Hickman showcased their Mobile Centres of Excellence along with the Specialist Tool Demonstration vehicles for visitors to explore. Guest speakers at the forum included behavioural expert Jez Rose, whose seminar explored whether the success of a business is based on the people within it. Other speakers included managing director of Weatherford, Daryl Stroud, who explored the supply chain in manufacturing, Douglas Dawson, COO at Caparo discussing the challenges of attracting young people into manufacturing and Warren Limbert from innovative engineering company, Lambert, on its successful apprenticeship and mentoring programmes.First London ParkerStore opens for business
Parker Hannifin, in partnership with distributor Hopespare Ltd., has opened the first London ParkerStore, creating the first self-serve supermarket for hydraulics and pneumatics products in the capital. Products in the new store, run by Hopespare at Woodall Road in Enfield, are organised into categories and part numbers, which means customers can browse at leisure for items such as air brake parts, couplers and filters. There is an in-store ‘while-you-wait’ hose assembly service, so people can take a seat, enjoy a drink and watch their product being made. All store staff have received the British Fluid Power Association’s skills training programme and are qualified to assemble a hose correctly and safely. Store manager Richard Durrant commented: “We’ve moved away from the traditional trade counter format to a much more relaxed shopping experience, complete with customer seating and refreshments. People can pop in, browse around and handle product without any commitment to purchase. They decide what they want for themselves and just tell us if they want to buy something or need help solving technical problems.” He continued: “Our team has loads of experience in hydraulics and pneumatics and we’re used to handling all sorts of queries – from very technical industry problems, to diagnosing what’s needed from a picture on a customer’s mobile. And as an official Parker store, we also sell genuine parts and fittings that are guaranteed to match. So it’s much easier than ever to buy hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and motion control products in north London.” The new format store is already proving a hit with customers. Ben Bradford of Glendining Highways said: “We buy all sorts of hydraulic parts and air tools and with old trade counters, you can’t see anything. This shop is much better. Instead of relying on a book, you have loads of products on view and advice to help you get the right parts, first time round.” Rob Mead of BIZ Karts added: “It’s really well organised. Everything’s clean and modern, and the products are nicely displayed. They’ve made hoses and fittings for us and the staff were great to deal with, we wouldn’t go anywhere else now.” The store opening hours are 8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 12.00noon on Saturday. Customers can also call the technical helpline on 0208 804 9001.Ace golfers raise over £4000 for Cancer Research
UK distributors, suppliers and sales teams had a real ‘blast’ at a recent charity golf day hosted by Gardner Denver UK at the Warwickshire golf and country club on 1 October.
The figures that make a mockery of manufacturing’s ‘decline'
Despite repeated reports of its demise, manufacturing is responsible for more than half the West Midlands economy and nearly a third of the UK output, according to research for Birmingham City University.
NFPC welcomes fluid power guests from Finland
Earlier this month the National Fluid power Centre (NFPC) – part of the commercial arm of North Nottinghamshire College – welcomed some 13 visitors from various vocational colleges and training centres in Finland. The group also included a representative from the Finnish Hydraulics and Pneumatics Association and the FLUID Finland Magazine.
Motorsport Industry Association calls for greater dialogue in manufacturing
British industry should engage with the UK’s world-beating motorsport supply chain to help build a robust and sustainable platform for growth. This is the view of Chris Aylett, CEO of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), who is calling for greater dialogue between the UK’s diverse manufacturing sectors in the wake of a report issued recently by the CBI.
Bosch Rexroth partners with OMC
Bosch Rexroth has entered into a strategic partnership with OMC Technologies, the designer of aluminum fabricated products and furniture in Ireland, to continue its work in providing innovative ergonomic solutions to customers.
Parker opens new Midlands trade counter in Nottinghamshire
Motion and control technologies solutions provider, Parker Hannifin, has opened a new Midlands trade counter to meet the demands of Nottinghamshire’s manufacturing, engineering and construction markets.
Holroyd secures cool £2.75 million order in China
Precision Technologies Group company, Holroyd Precision Ltd., has received orders for two of its ‘next generation’ Zenith 400 helical profile grinding machines from one of China’s leading specialists in ice systems and industrial cooling technologies. Scheduled for delivery to China’s Fujian Province later this year, the machines are together valued at £2.75 million. They will be used to precision grind some 100 compressor rotors, each measuring up to 250mm in diameter, per day. “We are delighted to have received such significant machine orders from such a well-respected refrigeration specialist,” said Holroyd Precision’s sales manager, Steven Benn. “Whilst the customer in question is well aware of the immense benefits that the Holroyd Zenith 400 models will bring to their manufacturing capabilities, the simple fact that both machines are required in such a short time frame speaks volumes for the considerable confidence they have in our ability to not only build industry-leading machine tools, but also meet the tightest of deadlines.” Developed to precision grind components weighing up to 700kg and measuring up to 420mm in diameter and 2.2 metres in length, the Zenith 400 helical profile grinder combines high stock removal rates and aggressive semi-finishing, with production rates and accuracies tailored to particularly demanding manufacturing strategies.HydraForce becomes first tenant of Advanced Manufacturing Hub
International hydraulic manufacturing company, HydraForce, which employs 280 at its European headquarters at Aston, Birmingham, is to build a brand new factory at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub. Job numbers at the company, which last year turned over around £49 million, will almost double by 2018. Following confirmation of a £1.8 million grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund in June, the company has completed the deal with landowners, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and start to build the 120,000 sq ft factory this month (September), with a view to moving the entire business and staff to its new world-class facility in August 2015. HydraForce’s new building will expand its manufacturing facility by 70,000 sq ft and allow the company to bring the manufacturing of more of its products over to the UK from its parent company in the US. The move also sees HydraForce become the inaugural tenant of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub, one of six economic zones in the city. The zones – advanced manufacturing; business & professional services; creative & digital media; life sciences; food & drink; IT, electronics & communications (ITEC) – will provide growth environments for key sectors. It is hoped that these economic zones will unlock £1.5 billion of investment in the city and generate nearly 50,000 jobs. Ideal site HydraForce managing director, Peter Macdonald, commented: “The Advanced Manufacturing Hub is the ideal site for us. It is logistically well-placed and very close to our existing premises at St Stephen’s Street, Aston so it will be easier for our staff to move with us.” Over 30 per cent of HydraForce’s products are sold into the growing agricultural equipment sector and 80 per cent of its output is exported. “The market for our products has grown and broadened,” said Macdonald. “To achieve our ambitious growth plans to double turnover by 2018, we need the new space to install new machinery, research and laboratory facilities, and support.” Facilitated by the city council and supported by Business Birmingham, HydraForce’s decision to base its growing operation in the area will create local jobs and boost the area’s manufacturing supply chain.Gates appoints distributor for UK trade sales
Gates, manufacturer hoses and belts, has recently appointed the Hayley Group plc. as the authorised Gates national trade distributor for sales of the full Gates Industrial Gates ranges in the UK. The Hayley Group, supplier of engineering essentials, has been one of Gates’ strong partners for belts and then hoses and couplings for the past decade. Hayley distributes the full Gates programme in fluid power and power transmission from its base in Halesowen in the Midlands.-
Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week
05 - 06 June, 2024
NEC, Birmingham -
HILLHEAD 2024
25 June, 2024, 9:00 - 27 June, 2024, 16:00
Hillhead Quarry, Buxton, Derbyshire UK
