EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Master Abrasives becomes Supfina distributor

Midlands-based Master Abrasives is now an authorised distributor in the UK and Ireland for Supfina, a Germany-headquartered specialist in superfinishing and grinding machines.Ian Meredith, Master Abrasives’ applications engineering manager, explains: “Whether it is low-volume attachments or complete machining solutions with automation, we will work together with customers to review the existing production structure and meet any improvement requirements. This now includes solutions from Supfina for superfinishing, precision grinding, attachments and automation.”
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

Voortman acquires Muller Opladen

Voortman Steel Machinery has completed its acquisition of pipe processing machinery manufacturer, Müller Opladen. The move will allow Voortman to offer even more value to customers while tapping into emerging markets. Müller Opladen manufactures solutions for cutting steel pipes, pressure vessels and structural steel, boasting over a century of market presence. The company has an installed base of over 1000 machines in 70 countries.

Müller Opladen GmbH will continue its operation in Germany, now accessing Voortman’s trusted and recognised network for customer support and consumables. Mark Voortman CEO of Voortman Steel Machinery,says: “The integration of Müller Opladen is an important step forward in meeting the needs of our current and potential customers, and provides a complete product portfolio for profile, plate and pipe processing.”
For further information www.voortman.net

Citizen Machinery appoints new sales engineer

Based in Tyne and Wear and with 25 years’ experience in the machine tool sector, Eric Tollett is now a Citizen Machinery UK area sales engineer for territories in northeast England, where he will be responsible for sales Cincom sliding-head and Miyano fixed-head lathes, and related automation solutions. “I regard this as a great opportunity to work for a premier Japanese lathe manufacturer with a strong reputation for producing high-end machines and fully integrated production solutions,” says Tollett. Citizen Machinery UK has also increased the number of sales territories around the UK from five to six.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

MGP funding comes to a close

One of the UK’s most successful industrial business support programmes comes to an end this month after helping the manufacturing sector to create or safeguard 12,435 jobs since 2016.The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, will see funding from the European Regional Development Fund end and is now urging the Government and local authorities to ensure the quick placement of tailored advice for manufacturing SMEs.

MGP’s final report revealed that over 95% of companies surveyed expected their business to grow in the next five years after receiving support from the programme, with 63% identifying the development of new products as a key area. In addition, 63% said they had already seen an increase in turnover, while 52% cited improved productivity as the main outcome of support received.
For further information www.oxfordinnovationadvice.co.uk

RNLI engineers visit industry trailblazers

In its 200th year, the RNLI has a long history of embracing innovation to help save lives at sea around the UK’s coast.Always open to learning new ways of doing things, a group from the lifesaving charity recently visited Sellafield’s Engineering Centre of Excellence at Cleator Moor to find out how industry innovates.Craig Branney, Sellafield’s head of off-site developments, hostedthe RNLI engineers, explaining how team members collaborate and innovate, including with the supply chain, to develop solutions in a highly regulated nuclear decommissioning sector.
For further information www.bit.ly/43jTEQy