Timken buys Groeneveld

The Timken Company,
a global specialist in engineered bearings and mechanical power transmission products, has reached an agreement to acquire Groeneveld Group, a Netherlands-headquartered provider of automatic lubrication solutions used in on- and off-highway applications, for approximately $280m. For the 12 months ending 31 May 2017, Groeneveld Group sales were approximately $105m. The transaction is expected to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share in 2017. Additionally, Groeneveld Group has a strong margin profile, which is anticipated to be accretive to Timken’s EBITDA margin.
For further information
www.groeneveld-group.com

10-off AM machine order from China

SLM Solutions Group AG, a supplier of
metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, has won an order for 10 SLM500 multi-laser AM machines. This is the first order of this magnitude that SLM Solutions has received for the SLM500 model. SLM has been pursuing the goal of further establishing itself in Asia, where it already has subsidiaries in Singapore, China and, since 2017, India. This order is an important step for further growth in the region and is proof of high demand worldwide for AM systems suited to industrial applications. The machines are to be delivered
to a customer in China within the next 15 months.
For further information www.slm-solutions.com

Hardide gains Nadcap accreditation

Hardide Coatings Ltd has gained Nadcap accreditation for coatings. Nadcap is the world’s leading independent certification programme for special processes within the aerospace and defence industry. The accreditation, in addition to the company’s current certifications to AS9100, ISO9001 and ISO14001, means that Hardide can expand its business in the aerospace sector and provide its tungsten carbide-based coatings to any of the aerospace prime contractors or their supply chains worldwide.
Philip Kirkham, CEO of Hardide Coatings, says: “Aerospace is a key growth market for Hardide and this is a significant achievement and milestone toward realising the clear potential for our coating technology in this sector. An increasing number of aerospace companies require their suppliers to be Nadcap accredited, so to be fully approved opens up the market to us.”
For further information www.hardide.com

AMRC apprentices visit House of Commons

Apprentices from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) were invited to the Houses of Commons at the end of last month to celebrate work bridging the gap between innovation in industry and academia.
The event, organised by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult), showcased the University of Sheffield’s growth and performance when working with industry. Open to all MPs, the reception also highlighted how Catapult organisations like the AMRC and Nuclear AMRC are helping to shape the UK manufacturing innovation landscape that will deliver the UK’s Industrial Strategy. This year’s AMRC Training Centre ‘Apprentice of the Year’ winner, Leigh Worsdale, McLaren apprentice Ian Hutchinson and Nuclear AMRC apprentice Jordan Wagstaff attended the event.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Planned investment in machine tools

Pentaxia is set to expand, with more than 20 new jobs in the pipeline, and a move to 70,000 sqft of new manufacturing and office space later this year. The company says that plans for the new facility include investment in new machine tools. Enjoying growth of more than 60% during the past 12 months, Pentaxia has seen a rapid increase in demand for lightweight, high-performance components from its blue-chip customers. The company has had an offer accepted on a new site to the north of Derby, which will triple current production space. More importantly, the site covers six acres, which gives Pentaxia room to expand.
For further information www.pentaxia.com