Production levels among UK manufacturers were flat in the three months to June, disappointing expectations of stronger growth, according to the latest monthly industrial trends survey from the CBI, the organisation that represents British industry.
The organisers of the UK's long-running Southern Manufacturing & Electronics Show have launched a similar event for the North of England. The two-day Northern Manufacturing & Electronics Show will be held for the first time at Manchester’s Event City on 2–3 October, 2013.
The Cambridgeshire-based encoder and sensor manufacturer Zettlex has expanded its production facilities to meet increasing demand from export markets for its precision speed and position sensors. The new 560m2 premises is located next to Zettlex’s existing site in Newton, Cambridgeshire.
The linear motion specialist HepcoMotion has set up a separate factory to manufacture its MCS aluminium frame and machine construction system. It says that it needs the new facility, located next to its main production site for linear motion products in Tiverton, Devon, to keep up with demand for the MCS range from the UK and abroad.
Bosch Rexroth is entering the market for off-the-shelf variable frequency drives for the first time in the UK, with a range of general-purpose drives with initial ratings from 370W–4kW. Until now, the company has specialised in supplying tailored drive systems.
ABB is buying the Leicestershire-based engineering services firm Dynamotive to expand its service offering in low- and medium-voltage drives and motors. The sale terms have not been released.
Britain’s largest producer of hybrid electric vans has developed its own range of axial-flux permanent magnet motors and has started to manufacture them after finding that those on the market did not meet its needs.
Alastair Johnstone has been appointed managing director of Bosch Rexroth in the UK, following the promotion last year of Steve Cooke to a senior position in Germany.
The safety specialist Pilz Automation Technology has moved to new purpose-built UK headquarters in Corby, Northamptonshire. The new building, less than 1km from the site that the company occupied for the previous 21 years, has more warehousing, training and office space.
Siemens is buying the Preactor Group, a UK-based developer of production planning software, for an undisclosed sum. Preactor's Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software will add new components to Siemens’ Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) portfolio.
Almost 40% of British manufacturing firms say that apprentices, graduates and new recruits don’t have the work ethic to succeed in industry, according to a new poll published by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
UK manufacturers are expecting a strong growth in output over the coming three months, according to the CBI’s latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey. But the survey of 404 firms reveals that output was broadly flat during the three months to May, disappointing expectations for a more pronounced recovery.
The UK automation trade body Gambica has formed a group to identify standards and best practice to help counter the threats of viruses, industrial sabotage and terrorism. The industrial network security group was set up as a result of feedback from Gambica members suggesting that this is an area of increasing interest to them.
A new industry-led forum is aiming to ensure that the UK is recognised as a world leader in power electronics, as well as creating jobs and attracting investment to the sector.
The US-based Precision Technology Group has acquired the Kent-based gear manufacturer, SP Gears. The Orpington company, established in 1916, supplies global customers in the valve, rail, marine and automotive industries, and has nuclear accreditation, allowing it to serve both new build and refurbishment activities in the nuclear sector.
