EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

British Steel to supply wind plant at Teesworks

A £100m+ landmarkdeal will see the use of material supplied by British Steel’s Teesside Beam Mill at Lackenby, near Redcar, on one the world’s biggest offshore wind plants now under construction at Teesworks.Steelwork is already springing up as major progress advances on the £450m SeAH Wind monopile manufacturing facility at South Bank.The 800mlong building will be the world’s biggest monopile facility when complete and is the first of its kind in the UK. Notably, the 40m high factory will annually produce up to 200 monopiles, which form the foundations of offshore wind turbines.
For further information www.teesworks.co.uk

Metals sector optimistic says new report

Rising energy prices, the impact of life after the EU and labour shortages continue to be the main challenges facing the UK metals sector according to a new report.Nearly a quarter of firms in the UK Metals Council’s ‘State of the Metals Industry in the UK 2023/24’ survey admitted to adjusting supply chain strategies or sourcing alternatives, while just under a third want enhanced Government support to navigate trade barriers and custom procedures in the wake of Brexit.

Some 22% of manufacturers are also looking for improved energy supply contracts to bring prices down to more affordable levels, with just 31% of businesses saying that they have an effective recruitment strategy in place for filling the well-documented labour gaps.However, there were many positive sentiments in the report. For instance, despite the widespread challenges, 70% of respondents are optimistic or very optimistic about future business prospects, underlining the resilience of the sector and its ability to innovate.
For further informationwww.ukmetalscouncil.org

MTI celebrates 20th anniversary issue

It was 20 years ago that Machinery Trade International (MTI) magazine published its first issue, not only setting out a far easier way to buy and sell machine tools, but also keeping the machine tool industry up to date with the latest news, reports and case studies. Alas, the publication’s founder Babak (Bob) Sadat sadly passed away in early 2023 following a short illness. However, the MTI team knows that Babak would be very proud of reaching 20 years. A huge thank you to all MTI advertisers, readers and staff (past and present) who have made the title such a success. Here’s to the next 20 years.
For further information www.mtimagazine.com

Expo sets out innovation spots

Advanced Engineering, the UK’s annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals taking place on 1-2 November 2023 at the NEC in Birmingham, will stage a host of products and technologies in exclusive innovation spots.

Among the special exhibits pushing the boundaries of technology and progress will be: a prototype of the ThrustWSH boat, accompanied by a presentation from former land speed record holder Richard Noble OBE; a Formula 1 car and eVTOL drones displayed by MGI Engineering; virtual reality and augmented reality demonstrated by SCU Motorsport as part of its 3D learning environment for students; a patented drop pod demonstrated by space engineering company Gravitilab Aerospace Services.
For further information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

Onwards and upwards

The Vigilance Group, comprising MACH Machine Tools and Machine Tool Sales Online (MTSO), has strengthened its sales operations in the Midlands with the appointment of Stuart Woolridge as its new Midlands area sales engineer.Having completed his apprenticeship at Triumph Motorcycles in Hinckley, where he qualified as a machine setter, Woolridge joined DMG Mori, firstas an applications engineer before gaining promotion to assistant engineering manager in double-quick time. He has significant experience in pre-sales and customer service.
For further information www.machmt.co.uk