In Brief

Just three years after maxon motor set up its UK subsidiary, the business is moving to new premises, almost three times larger. The company is staying in Finchampstead, Berkshire, but moving to a new site less than 1km away, with 1,090m² of space. The Swiss-owned precision motor and drives supplier has expanded faster than anticipated, despite the tough economic climate.

Toshiba Machine`s industrial robots partner, TM Robotics, has moved to new premises in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. The new site includes a demonstration facility, use of a workshop where applications can be simulated, and a facility for hands-on training.

Camberley, Surrey-based Mclennan Servo Supplies is now the sole UK representative for Dutch company, Precision Motor Technology, better known as Premotec. The development follows the closure earlier this year of Premotec`s UK sales office, which served large direct accounts, while Mclennan dealt with smaller customers.

Small businesses in West Yorkshire, Essex, Devon and Cornwall can now receive grants to improve their health and safety performance through a new Health & Safety Executive pilot scheme. The Small Firms Assistance Scheme (SFAS) runs until May 2003 and offers up to 50% funding (£1,000 maximum) for health and safety training and/or access monitoring. For further details, phone 0113 383 7733 (W Yorks), 01245 241400 (Essex), 0845 600 9966 (Devon and Cornwall).

The British Gear Association has published the fifth edition of its buyers` guide and members` handbook. The 2002 edition is available from BGA, Suite 43, IMEX Business Park, Shobnall Road, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire DE14 2AU. Tel: 01283 515521.

The Bristol and Western Engineering Manufacturers` Association wants the Government to halt the decline in UK manufacturing and to have "a more considered approach" towards small and medium-sized manufacturers. The association says these firms are continuing to struggle and the prospects for a turnaround bleak. The BEMA says the Government "must take action to help manufacturing become more competitive".