Accelerating towards digital transformation

Celonis and Accenture are teaming up to support Mann+Hummel, a global filtration solutions provider for markets that include EDM, to accelerate its company-wide digital transformation and become a data-driven enterprise. By leveraging intelligent insights and actions, Mann+Hummel will improve and optimise its processes to increase operational excellence and become even more customer-centric.

Accenture has supported Mann+Hummel’s data-driven enterprise journey since 2019. Together with global execution management specialist Celonis, Accenture will foster the firm’s process capabilities by helping to roll out Celonis’ execution management system across Mann+Hummel in a multi-year program.

With this strategic collaboration, Mann+Hummel will gain new levels of transparency and an objective, fact-based understanding of how its core business processes really run. This will enable the company to identify performance barriers in real-time and take automated action to remove inefficiencies and improve processes. Insights from the initial stages of deployment have already created process standardisation and optimisation in the areas of supply, distribution and production. This will be expanded on in the coming months across materials, planning and logistics, to improve cycle times and productivity, reduce rework, optimise inventory, increase automation and streamline global execution.

Emese Weissenbacher, executive vice president and chief financial officer at Mann+Hummel, says: “Our efforts and investments in standardisation are all targeted towards being able to stay a step ahead of customer needs. Deploying Celonis market-leading process mining and execution management capabilities enables us to drive more intelligent, data-driven insights, measures and decisions. I am convinced with this transformation we can take our business processes to the next level and create an agile platform for continuous improvement.”
For further information www.mann-hummel.com

Too few aware of super deduction tax relief

In a new survey conducted by auction specialist BPI Auctions, only one in eight (12%) of those questioned said they were aware of the super deduction tax break. The support runs until 31 March 2023 and enables companies to claim a 130% capital allowance on qualifying plant and machinery investments, along with a 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets. The super deduction also allows businesses to cut their taxes by up to 25p for every £1 they invest.

David Boulton, managing director at BPI Auctions, says: “The super deduction tax break is a significant support to businesses across the manufacturing and engineering sectors, especially those that have been affected most in the past two years. If you’re looking to take advantage of the relief to upgrade your plant and equipment, disposing of used or old items through online auctions is an efficient and easy way to raise funds quickly.”
For further information www.bpiauctions.com

Knowledge exchange

Northumbria University’s Newcastle Business School has entered into a strategic partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF). A community of industry experts, the AMF brings together the northeast’s manufacturing and engineering sector to engage with the wider business community. A key remit of the AMF is to exchange ideas and knowledge in order to generate business growth, share opportunities and champion advanced manufacturing. The move will facilitate the dissemination of current thinking directly into industry, while allowing new questions and areas for investigation to emerge.
For further information www.northumbria.ac.uk/nbs

New radial bristle brushes

With an extremely limited number of other suppliers for radial bristle brushes on the market, Tyrolit is now the exclusive industrial distributor of Sunburst radial bristle brushes in Europe. Since joining in partnership with US-based Dedeco in 2021, Tyrolit has the sole rights to sell Sunburst products in the UK and Ireland, bringing competition into a previously exclusive market, while adding an extended range to Tyrolit’s surface conditioning portfolio.

As a manufacturer of specialty abrasives since 1937, Dedeco introduced the Sunburst range back in 2017; whereby there was only one other supplier for these products anywhere in the world. These thermoplastic abrasive bristle discs and brushes are suitable for deburring, cleaning, finishing and polishing. They provide an alternative to wire and nylon solutions, while improving performance in a safer, more efficient and flexible way. These products are available individually or in assortments of multiple shapes and sizes, with sizes ranging from 36 grit to 1 µm.

The flexible bristles conform to contours, cracks and corners, while working equally well on flat surfaces. With durability for long working life, the blended bristles guarantee extended wear and a consistent, smooth finish. Bristle Brushes are not only more efficient than wire brushes, they also work faster, easily achieving a constant, quality finish with lighter pressure. Through a cool-running feature, the brushes generate minimal heat, reducing potential damage or distortion to the work surface. Applications include the removal of weld burns, discolouration, corrosion, grinding marks, stains, adhesives, paint and other surface contaminants.
For further information www.tyrolit.co.uk

Vollmer launches 5S campaign

At the first ever GrindingHub international trade fair for grinding technology in Stuttgart last month, sharpening specialist Vollmer presented its 5S campaign: sharp, smart, sustainable, social, strong.

Vollmer grinding, eroding and laser machines are backed up by smart and digital services, ensuring maximum sharpness. Thanks to sustainable technologies, the company plays its part in environmental sustainability. Social refers both to the increased importance of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube, and to the social links between Vollmer and its customers, suppliers and employees, as well as its efforts to support young people. The company uses events and webinars to maintain a strong position as a technology leader, while continually improving the efficiency of its machines and services.

The GrindingHub 2022 exhibition also marked the world premiere of three new VGrind grinding machines, suitable for machining carbide tools. These machines apply the tried-and-tested technology of the VGrind range: they are also based on the innovative double-spindle concept, which enables precise and efficient multi-level machining thanks to two vertical spindles. By expanding its machine range in the area of tool machining, Vollmer can more precisely address the individual needs of its customers.

In addition, Vollmer has added two new machines to its range for grinding circular saw blades. These models are suited to machining tooth faces and tooth tops, as well as the flanks of carbide-tipped saw teeth with a wide range of geometries. The machines feature intuitive operation, enabling users to learn sharpening processes almost instantly. They can be combined with tried-and-tested Vollmer automation solutions for round-the-clock operation without manual intervention.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com