Learning masterplan

The new £8.1m City of Wolverhampton College Advanced Technology and Automotive Centre on the Wellington Road campus in Bilston has been handed over by contractor Speller Metcalfe on schedule following an 11-month build. The college will now move its kit into the state-of-the-art training facility ready for students this September. The centre will secure hundreds of jobs in the local economy and create learning opportunities for thousands of students specialising in engineering and automotive, including electric vehicles (EV).

More information www.bit.ly/3SIrLy8

Gravotech joins Brady Corp

US-headquartered manufacturer Brady Corporation has acquired Gravotech, an international specialist in the marking and engraving market for over 80 years. Arnaud Linquette, president and CEO of Gravotech, says: “The sale of Gravotech to a market leader in printing and high-performance adhesive material provides us with an excellent opportunity to expand into new markets and generate long-term profitable growth. In recent years, we’ve enhanced our new product development and manufacturing capabilities, and broadened our portfolio of direct-part marking and engraving solutions.”

More information www.gravotech.co.uk

Date set for next NORTEC exhibition

After intensive evaluations, enquiries and discussions involving a large number of exhibitors, the date of the next NORTEC trade fair has been set. NORTEC will be held at the Hamburg Trade Fair Centre on 3-5 February 2026. The new date was carefully selected in order to take account of the requirements of exhibitors and trade visitors. In addition, the duration of NORTEC has been reduced from four to three days with the clear objective of increasing trade fair efficiency. The previous edition of the biennial show, NORTEC 2024, made a positive restart under the new management of Messe Stuttgart and the VDW.

More information www.nortec-hamburg.com

Mazak sponsors penguin sculpture

A unique ‘steampunk’ penguin sculpture, sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak, is part of the Great Waddle of Worcester supporting the Wild in Art event to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice. Named ‘Dr Waddlecog,’ the creation by artist Kevin Baumber is one of 40 penguin artworks displayed throughout Worcester from 22 July to 15 September. Yamazaki Mazak regularly supports charities and the Wild in Art initiative. The company identified Dr Waddlecog as the perfect sculpture to sponsor thanks to its eye-catching exterior and level of advanced engineering expertise required for its design and fabrication.

More information https://waddleofworcester.co.uk 

Unipart acquires Formaplex Technologies

Unipart, a supply chain solutions and performance improvement technologies partner, has acquired Formaplex Technologies, a lightweight components manufacturer serving customers in the automotive, aerospace, motorsport and healthcare sectors.

Formaplex Technologies was established two decades ago, initially as a specialist tooling partner in the Formula 1 sector. Major customers include McLaren, which is fully supportive of the acquisition and remains committed to working with the business. Unipart will integrate the operations into its existing manufacturing portfolio, ensuring continuity and maintaining the high operational and safety standards that both companies deliver. Formaplex has already been rebranded as Unipart Polymer and Composite Solutions.

More information www.unipart.com