EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

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

Forth creates new job positions

An engineering company that is enjoying further expansion due to increased demand for its bespoke solutions is creating new jobs.Six roles will become available at Forth, which has bases at Maryport, Cleator Moor and Barrow, all in Cumbria. The company delivers engineering solutions to industry challenges across the UK and worldwide, serving industries such as nuclear, oil and gas, renewables, agriculture and utilities.

Mark Telford, Forth’s managing director, says: “As predicted, 2023 is proving to be a very exciting year for Forth. We have several exciting and innovative projects in the pipeline.One of the most pleasing aspects of this work is that we’re able to create even more job opportunities in the local area.We remain passionate about keeping jobs in Cumbria by bringing as many projects to the county as possible, supporting our communities and boosting the local economy.”
For further information www.forth.uk.com/careers.

Trumpf open house

Trumpf UK will stage an open house at its Luton headquarters on 12-13 July. The event is a prime opportunity for OEMs and subcontractors to see the latest machine and software solutions in laser cutting, punching, welding, bending and laser marking technologies. Special focus will be on how to remove secondary laser cutting processes by automating part separation and skeleton handing. Visitors will also see demonstrations of new features, such as Edgeline Bevel, an innovation that allows flat-bed laser machines to produce chamfers and countersinks in sheet metal.
For further information www.bit.ly/43DoOSz