News » UK News UK engineering alliance announces supply chain initiative
The Engineering and Machinery Alliance (Eama) – the umbrella group for 13 UK trade associations including Gambica, the MTA, Bara, the BFPA, BCAS, the PPMA and Ukiva – has announced plans for an industrial strategy for the machinery and allied components (MAC) sector. Eama believes its initiative will increase the ability of MAC companies, particularly SMEs, to benefit from the wide variety of schemes available to help them compete.
Servomotor-maker doubles capacity in move to new premises
One of the UK’s most successful – but least-known – motor manufacturers, the servomotor specialist SEM, is moving to new purpose-built premises in Kent that will double its manufacturing capacity. The company is investing “tens of millions” of pounds in the move from its existing 5,000m2 premises in Orpington to the new 12,000m2 site at The Bridge Technology Park in Dartford.
Emerson appoints manager for UK drives and motors
Emerson Industrial Automation has appointed Gloria Stucchi to be general manager of its UK and Ireland drives and motors operation, which includes the Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer brands.
UK fluid power bodies form motion control alliance
The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) and the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA), which incorporates the British Fluid Power Distributors Association (BFPDA), have agreed to form an alliance aimed at providing their members with a stronger, more consolidated voice.
EEF manifesto calls for 75% of jobs to be skilled
EEF, the UK manufacturers' organisation, has launched a skills manifesto urging the British Government to set a target for 75% of jobs to be medium- or high-skilled by 2020. The target is part of a policy blueprint aimed at meeting the UK manufacturing sector's increasing demand for skills.
UK manufacturers lay out manifesto for next government
Britain's manufacturers have drawn up four key priorities that, they say, the next UK government will have to build on to create the better-balanced economy that the UK needs to secure its economic recovery.
Industry 4.0 ‘is inevitable, but the UK could be left behind’
Britain is on the cusp of a technology-driven fourth industrial revolution, with eight in ten manufacturers (80%) saying it will become a business reality by 2025. However 58% fear that the UK is in danger of being left behind.
£2m EC motor plant opens for business in Swindon
Torin-Sifan, which manufactures energy-efficient fan technologies for the European air movement industry, has opened a new UK factory dedicated to producing EC (electronically commutated) motors, fans and blower products. It has invested more than £2m in the new plant in Swindon, and has created 25 new jobs at the site, which will employ a total of around 90 people.
Plan aims to boost output and cut energy bills
ABB in the UK has announced a scheme that offers step-by-step help to enhance the performance of motor-driven applications using variable-speed drives (VSDs) and high-efficiency motors. The ten-stage Energy Efficiency and Productivity Improvement Plan takes into account the often-overlooked productivity benefits that VSDs can bring.
‘Game-changing’ best-practice training opens up to SMEs
EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, is launching a version of its “lean academy” that will allow mid-sized companies and SMEs to learn “game-changing” methods to boost their efficiency and growth at a relatively low cost. Until now the best-practice training system has been available only to larger organisations.
£1m investment doubles automation firm’s office space
HMK Automation & Drives, which claims to be the UK’s largest independent supplier of motion products, has completed a £1m refurbishment of its head office in Congleton, Cheshire, including a new 7,000ft2 (650m2) logistics centre that has more than doubled the company’s office space.
What does the MEPS legislation mean for IE2 motors?
ABB in the UK has issued a clarification of how the recent European minimum energy performance standard (EU MEPS) will affect users of IE2 efficiency motors.
Eaton acquires UK hazardous area technology producer
Eaton has acquired the UK-based Oxalis Group, which manufactures electrical products for the hazardous area, marine, and industrial communications markets. Details of the deal have not been disclosed.
UK engineering is ‘facing a cliff edge’
UK engineering companies need 182,000 people with engineering skills to enter the market every year until 2022 – but there is currently an annual shortfall of 55,000 – according to a new report from EngineeringUK, the independent organisation that promotes engineering in the UK. It says that if enough skilled people were available, engineering could generate an extra £27bn per year for the UK economy from 2022 – the equivalent of building 1,800 schools or 110 hospitals.
Okkonen succeeds Takhar as MD of Vacon UK
Timo Okkonen has been appointed managing director of Vacon UK, succeeding Stephen Takhar, who is stepping down after running the business for more than 15 years. Takhar will remain with the AC drives company, with responsibilities in sales and marketing and to help ensure a smooth transition.
