EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

MACH 2024 headline sponsor confirmed

Lloyds Bank has confirmed its headline sponsorship of MACH 2024 (Birmingham NEC, 15-19 April), the sixth time the bank done so. Commenting on the new deal, James Selka (photo, right),CEO at the Manufacturing Technologies Association, the organiser of MACH 2024, says:“Manufacturing is the heartbeat of the UK economy and growing a resilient manufacturing industry has never been more important. Lloyds Bank is an ideal partner for MACH as we share common goals and commitments, including sustainability across the sector.”

Dave Atkinson (photo, left), UK head of manufacturing at Lloyds Bank, adds: “Making the transition to net zero represents a significant growth opportunity for the UK economy, particularly for the manufacturing sector. However, we must invest in technology and skills to support such an ambitious change. Lloyds Bank is delighted to again sponsor MACH, the UK’s national showcase for the best in next-generation manufacturing technologies.”
For further information www.machexhibition.com

Mazak to makedebut at EMAF in Portugal

Yamazaki Mazak is to make its first appearance at May’s EMAF trade show in a further sign of the company’s strengthening commitment to its Portuguese customers.Mazak’s EMAF debut, which will take place between 31 May and 3 June 2023 in Porto, will showcase two machines: the CV5-500 5-axis machining centre and the QTE 300 MSY SG turning centre.Mazak’s direct sales channel in Portugal, based in Porto, has been operating since May 2020 and has quickly grown to include 11 employees working in sales, service, training and application support roles. Mazak has more than 360 machines installed in Portugal.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

HEP secures new lease with BAE Systems

Humber Enterprise Park (HEP) has secured a new 10-year lease agreement with BAE Systems, which will maintain its 500,000 sq ft centre for digital engineering excellence on the strategic site. The global defence and aerospace company leases office, warehouse and R&D space at HEP. Notably, the renewal of the lease coincides with BAE Systems’ recent recruitment announcement for potential 100 new roles, adding to the existing 700 BAE Systems employees already working at the site.BAE Systems has a heritage at HEP that stretches back over a century to 1916.
For further information www.humberenterprisepark.co.uk

Hoffmann Group and Iscar team up

From 1 October 2023, the Hoffmann Group will offer the complete tool range of Iscar throughout Europe and supply it from its central LogisticCitywarehouse in Nuremberg. Hoffmann SE, representing the Hoffmann Group, and Iscar Ltd signedthe underlying agreement last month. Borries Schüler, chief product management andengineering officer with Hoffmann SE, says: “With Iscar´s tools we can offer an even wider range along with targeted process solutions for all machining tasks. This co-operation will offer real benefits tocustomers.”
For further information www.hoffman-group.com

5G helping manufacturing efficiency

The delivery of the UK’s first, fully operational 5G Standalone (5G SA) testbed is bringing UK manufacturers another step closer to creating a more adaptable manufacturing ecosystem.
Lead engineers from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) North West, hosted the 5G Factory of the Future programme close-out event, alongside project partners at the end of last month.

“The 5G FoF project has successfully delivered the largest manufacturing testbed in the UK with 5G standalone capability,” says Dr Aparajithan Sivanathan, project lead for the 5G Factory of the Future programme and head of digital technology at AMRC North West. “We’ve also created a business model that will sustain the testbed beyond the end of the project. 5G is going to be the future and we’re now thinking about the next phase.”
For further information www.amrc.co.uk