Made Smarter Teams Up With Toyota

Made Smarter South East, the Government-backed technology adoption programme, has teamed up with the Toyota Lean Management Centre (TLMC) to bring manufacturing and continuous improvement expertise directly to SME factory floors. Together the organisations have developed a two-day programme tailored to SMEs, helping manufacturers improve processes, eliminate waste and boost productivity before investing in new technology. 

The programme was successfully piloted in Buckinghamshire, bringing together 14 manufacturers hosted at Ercol in Princes Risborough factory. Day one combined expert-led workshops and practical exercises with a factory tour, while day two took the learning directly into selected businesses. 

More information www.tinyurl.com/4zxthect 

Rolls-Royce Invests £300m in UK Facilities

Rolls-Royce is making a landmark £300m investment in its manufacturing and engineering facilities across the UK. The investment reinforces the company’s commitment to the UK’s manufacturing ecosystem, laying the groundwork for further growth across its global civil aerospace and defence businesses. The funding includes £140m for its Derby plant, £90m for Bristol, £43m for Inchinnan, £19m for Rotherham and £5m for Ansty.  

Rolls-Royce has invested more than £3bn in the UK since the start of its transformation programme in 2023. Across the country, the company has been investing in R&D and cutting-edge engineering programmes, alongside upgrading its facilities. This new investment will ensure Rolls-Royce’s UK infrastructure can meet manufacturing demand and support the development of future aerospace programmes.  

More information www.rolls-royce.com 

Hexagon Completes Acquisition of ZG Technology

Metrology solutions provider Hexagon has acquired the remaining 49% of Wuhan ZG Automation Technology (ZG Technology), bringing its ownership of the Wuhan-based 3D scanning specialist to 100%. Hexagon acquired a 51% majority stake in August 2021 and has consolidated ZG within its Manufacturing Intelligence business area since that time. Founded in 2014, ZG develops handheld 3D scanning technology, with a portfolio developed in-house and supported by its own software copyrights and patents. Its scanners are used for quality inspection, reverse engineering and the digitisation of complex parts. 

More information www.hexagon.com 

New R&D Centre ‘Mazak Innovation Hub’ to Open in 2027

Machine tool builder Yamazaki Mazak will open a new R&D centre, the Mazak Innovation Hub (MIH), in Oguchi, Japan in August 2027. The MIH will consolidate the company’s research, engineering and prototyping functions into a single location. Serving as a hub that connects diverse talent and technologies, the facility is set to enhance the efficiency of next-generation technology research and product development. 

The MIH will feature an open office layout to encourage communication and collaboration across organisational boundaries, including meeting areas that naturally facilitate interaction among employees. Offices will also be located adjacent to a machine tool prototyping and evaluation area, enabling a seamless workflow. In addition, a dedicated collaboration area is set to support technical exchanges and joint development projects. 

More information www.mazak.com 

Walter GB Expands with Trio of Appointments

Tooling specialist Walter GB has strengthened its UK sales operation with three new appointments, including two field sales engineers (Ben Stephens and Chris Auton) and the creation of a key account manager role (Ross Shaw) for the company’s largest OEM customers. The new recruits mark another milestone in Walter’s ongoing UK growth trajectory, bringing talented and experienced engineering talent into the business. Managing director Ashley Battison says: “We’re building an engineering team to enhance and streamline service and support for customers, particularly those with challenging projects.”  

More information www.walter-tools.com