EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Composite Circularity

Global composites manufacturer Exel Composites is partnering with glass-fibre innovator Original Composites and Fiberglass to accelerate the use of circular materials in industrial composites manufacturing. The partnership will see the adoption of SUSTAINA continuous filament mat (CFM) for commercial-scale use across Europe. Potentially using several hundred tonnes of SUSTAINA annually, the move supports Exel’s wider sustainability ambitions while maintaining the consistent performance required for demanding pultrusion applications. SUSTAINA is an ISCC+ certified glass-fibre solution with 50% circular content. More information www.exelcomposites.com

Associations Join Forces

Automate UK, the UK trade association for the processing/packaging machinery, automation and manufacturing sectors, has aligned with a collective of European trade associations to found a federation dedicated to influencing policy around the challenges impacting the industry. EUROPAMA has been founded as the European umbrella organisation for the processing and packaging machinery industry. It unites national trade associations to advocate for the sector’s interests with EU institutions, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange regarding policy, sustainability and technological transformation. More information www.europama.eu/en

Six Manufacturers Join Bostin’ Hall Of Fame

Six manufacturing specialists are among the latest organisations to gain admittance into the Bostin’ Black Country Business ‘Hall of Fame’. A&M EDM, Alucast, Mercia Lifting Gear, Sherwood Stainless Steel, TC Morris and Zaun are representing the industrial heritage of the region as part of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s campaign designed to change perceptions and unpick the area’s hidden strengths. “Our latest intake of Bostin’ companies takes us to 42, with the region’s manufacturing expertise front and centre of the new alumni,” explains Sarah Moorhouse, CEO of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.More information www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/bostin

Viohalco Hails 25 Years Of Rolling Mill Ownership

One of Bridgnorth’s largest employers has completed its latest capital equipment installation to take total investment in its Stourbridge Road factory to £180m. Bridgnorth Aluminium, which is the UK’s last remaining aluminium rolling mill, revealed the new thin-gauge slitting line at a special party held this weekend to mark 25 years of ownership by Viohalco Group, a Greek industrial powerhouse. More than 500 members of staff, local dignitaries and key stakeholders enjoyed live music, games and a guided tour of a site that is now viewed as critical to the UK’s sovereign manufacturing push.

More information www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

Key Appointment At QA Weld Tech

Express Engineering Group has appointed Neil Pentland as general manager and site director of its Teesside-based specialist welding and fabrication business, QA Weld Tech. Pentland will lead QA Weld Tech’s Middlesbrough site, with responsibility for overseeing complex fabrication projects, strengthening customer relationships and continued business development.

He will work closely with the established team and the wider Express Engineering Group to maintain quality, enhance project delivery and support long-term growth. Pentland will be supported by an experienced senior management team, including: Stewart Geary, operations manager; John Wilson, production manager; Adam Stockport, project delivery manager; Peter Blakey, quality manager; and Peter Harrison, senior welding engineer.More information www.qaweldtech.com