º igus is offering to inspect UK manufacturers’ energy chains and flexible cables free of charge, before or during their shutdowns this summer. Details on 01604 677240.

º The regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has joined forces with QinetiQ to create a £20m fund to help businesses to develop and apply advanced sensing technologies.

º Following last year’s acquisition by Iwis of another German chain supplier, Flexon, the two companies’ UK operations have merged to form Iwis-Flexon, which will operate from Flexon’s former premises in Tipton, West Midlands.