Kirbi Taylor, an apprentice at Nikken Kosakusho Europe Ltd, is the winner of the Rotherham Apprentice of the Year Award for the ‘Intermediate’ category, beating off competition from over 50 applicants from a variety of industries. In addition, Taylor is also shortlisted as a finalist in the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre’s Apprentice of the Year awards and has already won the centre’s ‘Spotlight’ award for the best in cohort last year.

With a lifelong interest in engineering – and inspired by her grandfather’s previous success in the industry – Taylor decided to pursue a career in engineering by undertaking an apprenticeship in mechatronic maintenance with Nikken and the AMRC Training Centre, which is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. The award recognises her exceptional contribution and commitment to Nikken, as judged by a panel of experts from within the Barnsley and Rotherham business sector.

Nikken service manager Mark Timmons says: “Kirbi is a breath of fresh air: friendly, confident and greets everyone with a smile. She is eager to learn and gets involved with as many areas of the business as possible. We have three apprentices in the service department who have all excelled in their careers. They are fundamental to the future of Nikken and engineering. I look forward to watching the progression of Kirbi, and our other apprentices, as they take on more responsibilities and challenges.”

Nikki Jones, director at the AMRC Training Centre, adds: “It comes as no surprise to us that Kirbi has received recognition for her efforts and achievements as an apprentice engineer. Since joining the AMRC Training Centre with Nikken, she has shown true dedication and commitment to the engineering apprenticeship programme, and seized every opportunity with passion and vigour.”

For further information
www.nikken-world.co.uk

A family-owned engineering company in West Yorkshire is aiming to establish itself as an expert in work-holding devices for the production of machined components in electric vehicles.

Craftsman Tools says it is one of only a handful of British companies that specialises in work holding for machining processes, and the only one that designs and manufactures all of its own products. As a result of partnerships built up over several years, Craftsman Tools already produces a work-holding device used by almost all major automotive manufacturers in the machining of camshafts, and is familiar with the unique challenges faced by the industry.

The company’s initial developments are for a friction-welding process to bind two parts of a CV shaft and then machine the joint in situ. Critically, Craftsman Tools will use its expertise to develop work-holding equipment that will last in the harsh manufacturing environment of a fiction welder to ensure conformance with the required geometric tolerances. The company already has supply-chain partnerships with companies targeting major EV manufacturers, such as Tesla.

Electric engines have considerably fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines (20 versus 2000), thus the market for machined components is considerably smaller and there is an even greater emphasis on producing the remaining parts more accurately with tighter tolerances. The initial concept is for a modular design, which can be adaptable to different CV shafts and similar components, increasing its versatility with a host of automotive manufacturers.

Managing director Robert Johnson says: “This is a very exciting project, and one that plays to all of our expertise and knowledge. Sales of electric vehicles increased by 25% last year, and an increase in the uptake of electric vehicles is crucial to the UK achieving its net-zero carbon goal by 2050. The project will be a large step towards Craftsman’s own goal of moving away from carbon-intensive industries and towards the green economy.”

For further information
www.craftsmantools.com