Optimas and Dura Automotive sign LTA

A new long-term agreement (LTA) between vehicle systems manufacturer, Dura Automotive Systems, and Optimas, a global industrial distributor and service provider, has reinforced the further expansion of a growing business partnership.

Both companies are already working together in Europe, but the latest LTA displays new intent between the businesses towards further streamlining Dura Automotive Systems’ component supply chain within this region. Optimas will work with Dura to consolidate the supply chain, specify suitable components and define a clear fastener policy for the business.
For further information www.optimas.com

First cohort graduates from AME

An initiative to develop industry-ready engineers has seen its first cohort of students graduate. The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), a joint collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing, held a special ceremony in the cathedral grounds to mark three years since its launch.

Seven graduates picked up their BEng degrees: Alicia Prior, Daniel Davey, Daryl Eastgate, Daryl Obe, David Mordi, Joe Howe and Nick Hugill. They have all secured employment, five of them for firms in the automotive, motorsport and metals sectors.
For further information www.ame.co.uk

Another record year for Hurco

Sales growth of more than 22% in 2017 compared with the previous 12 months propelled Hurco Europe to another record year and a turnover of £23m. The company sold close to 300 Hurco machining centres and lathes into the UK and Ireland, 38% of which went to first-time users of the company’s machine tools. In addition, under a long-standing agency agreement, the company delivered six German-built Roeders machining centres into the same markets, all but one in five-axis configuration and two with advanced automation.

In parallel with the upturn in business, the number of employees at Hurco Europe has grown to 50, more than a third of whom are service engineers. The number of applications engineers has increased to six, reflecting the level of support that is being provided to the firm’s expanding customer base. One explanation for the company’s growth is a 40% increase in the number of five-axis machining centres sold.
For further information www.hurco.co.uk

Saudi Aramco signs deal with Schlumberger

Saudi Aramco has awarded Schlumberger two lump-sum contracts for drilling rigs and services for oil and gas wells. Under the contracts, Schlumberger Integrated Drilling Services (IDS) will provide drilling rigs and services for up to 146 gas wells and up to 128 oil wells over three years.

Saudi Aramco’s senior vice president – upstream, Mohammed Qahtani, says: “Saudi Aramco and Schlumberger are key partners who, under these contracts, will be able to bring innovative technologies to the field, and deploy them in our large-scale operations. We have a great history of success with Schlumberger throughout our 75 year partnership in Saudi Arabia, and have now set the scene for even greater achievements in the future.”
For further information www.saudiaramco.com

Air conditioning plant inaugurated

Mitsubishi Electric Corp has announced that the new 40,000 sq m factory of Mitsubishi Electric Turkey (Klima Sistemleri Üretim Anonim Şirketi), which develops and manufactures air conditioners for the Turkish market, commenced manufacturing on 12 December.

Annual production of 500,000 indoor and outdoor units is targeted by the fiscal year ending March 2021, by which time the plant hopes to employ around 400 people. Mitsubishi Electric’s air conditioning and refrigeration systems business in Europe is expanding steadily, with demand in Turkey expected to increase in line with the country’s economic and population growth.
For further information www.mitsubishielectric.com