EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

MTC Training to launch skills bootcamp

MTC Training, the training wing of the Coventry-based Manufacturing Technology Centre, has secured funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to deliver a new training course that will improve the efficiency of manufacturing businesses across the region.
The ‘Skills Bootcamp Manufacturing Efficiency’ programme aims to help managers and leaders looking to upskill and optimise their organisation’s processes and output through a combination of face-to-face training, self-study and online and remote learning.

During the 16-week programme, delegates will build their skill-sets in management, leadership and analytics across eight areas: costs; process improvement; health and safety; workplace organisation; visual management; standard work and process monitoring; problem solving; and continuous improvement and innovation. As part of MTC Training’s partnership with Lloyds Bank, the first four cohorts are free for any SME delegates.Limited spaces are available.
For further information www.bit.ly/3KMDmrY

$1bn investment castings contract

Doncasters, a global manufacturer of high-precision components, has won a multi-year contract with Siemens Energy for the supply of complex precision investment castings that will find use on gas turbine platforms. With an anticipated value exceeding $1bn, the contract will seeDoncasters leverage its vertically integrated alloy manufacturing and casting capabilities in both the UK and Germany.

Mike Quinn, CEO at Doncasters, says: “This renewal of Doncasters’ contract with Siemens Energy reflects the hard work of all our employees and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to cement our relationship with one of our oldest and largest customers.This agreement forms the backbone to the significant capital investments in capacity and capability currently underway or planned to support growth in our airfoil casting plants.”
For further information www.doncasters.com

Export boost for UK manufacturers

Demand for help in exploring export markets has put a southwest trade specialist on course for a record year. International Trade Matters, founded by Linda Middleton-Jones in 2017, helps around 40 companies every month through a mixture of strategic advice and tactical training.This has placed her business on target to increase sales by 25% to align with the national rollout of its Global Trade Blueprint (GTB). GTB is a short training course thatacts a readiness tool for business recovery, growth and internationalisation. It gives companies the opportunity to explore and unlock potential by accessing market intelligence.
For further information www.internationaltradematters.com

Brandauer’s Crozier awarded honorary doctorate

The CEO of a 161-year-old award-winning metal engineering business has been bestowed an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU) for his outstanding contribution to industry and academia. Rowan Crozier, who runs Birmingham-based Brandauer, received his award as part of the university’s summer graduation ceremonies held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. The boss of the precision tooling and metal stamping specialistis also gaining recognition for his commitment to developing the engineers of the future, through work with BCU’s School of Engineering and Built Environment.
For further informationwww.brandauer.co.uk

Ground-breaking 3D printing project

Technology developed by a consortium of companies and academic institutions could revolutionise the use of large formant 3D printing in the UK. The Evo One ‘large format additive manufacturing’ (LFAM) project involves 3D printing expert Evo-3D; the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS); Rolls-Royce; materials supplier Filamentive; software developer AI Build; and energy technology company Baker Hughes. Together they are developing a 3D printer that could make UK manufacturers more competitive than their international peers. The initiative has received £1.1m in funding from Innovate UK.
For further information www.nmis.scot