EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Metalex Vietnam opens this week

The 16th edition of Metalex Vietnam, a leading international exhibition for machine tools and metalworking technologies, takes place this week (4-6 October) at the SECC show venue in Ho Chi Minh City. The last event in 2022 attracted over 11,000 local and overseas visitors from more than 20 countries.

Metalex Vietnam will this year operate under the theme of ‘Creating the next giant manufacturers’, with the aim of accelerating Vietnam’s domestic manufacturing market. The event promises to offer a one-stop destination for world-class technology providers and local industrialists to exchange breakthrough ideas and business know-how. The advancements on show could lead to a burst of innovation, productivity improvements and a reconnected world. A full conference/technical program will complement the exhibition.
For further information www.metalexvietnam.com

Mazak Recognised as leading employer

Machine tool builder Yamazaki Mazak can now claim recognition as one of the top employers in Worcestershire following its long-standing work with local education institutions and commitment to sustainable job creation.Mazak stands out as one of just 12 businesses in the region to gain the Cornerstone Certificate from Worcestershire County Council’s Local Enterprise Partnership. It celebrates employers with a deep-rooted culture of fostering the next generation of talent and an ongoing commitment to nurturing the future workforce, continuously enhancing skills and promoting academic achievement.

Mazak employs over 600 people at its European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester, which has the capacity to build over 1000 machine tools a year. The company has successfully trained over 250 apprentices, a significant number of whom now hold senior positions within Mazak.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

New app for event efficiency

To facilitate networking opportunities at the upcoming 2023 exhibition, Advanced Engineering UK is introducing an app that helps both visitors and exhibitors to maximise their time and resources. The new tool allows attendees to arrange meetings and formulate a strategic agenda for the event swiftly and conveniently, owing to an integration function that automatically synchronises pre-arranged meetings to their calendar. The app is available on iOS and Android.

“Our app is designed to simplify the planning process, ensuring that every moment at the event is optimised for maximum productivity and convenience,” explains Alison Willis, director of the show’s organiser Easyfairs. “Networking stands as the primary motivation for individuals attending Advanced Engineering, so through the enhanced networking app we want to facilitate and streamline this collaboration, making it more valuable and efficient experience for all.”
For further information www.advancedengineeringuk.com

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