EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Brandauer scoops two CBM awards

One of the West Midlands’ best-kept manufacturing secrets has capped a record-breaking year by securing two major industrial awards.Brandauer, which produces millions of high-tolerance metal pressings/stampings every week for customers in 10 sectors and across 26 different countries, was named the Confederation of British Metalforming’s ‘Company of the Year’ in front of 200 people at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel.

Judges praised the Birmingham-based company for its resilience and ability to bounce back from the pandemic, developing a unique lamination process for electrification and increasing its tooling business from £500,000 to £2m per year.This result has seen Brandauer take turnover past £9m for the first time in its 161-year history, including new orders for a Slovenian automotive supplier of HVAC systems, a new $3m supercar and reconnaissance drones.
For further information www.brandauer.co.uk

ABB robotics supports Renault

ABB is supporting Renault Group by providing state-of-the-art robotics technology to help automate the manufacturer’s electric vehicle production network across several key markets. ABB has delivered the majority of 160 large industrial robotsover the past 24 months, helping tocreate increased capacity at Renault Group’s e-motor assembly lines in Cléon and Douai, France. At the company’s Douai facility, for example, ABB technology will help manufacture Renault’s next-generation of EVs with new advanced body-in-white facilities.
For further information www.abb.com/robotics

New machines at Walter-Ewag open house

Two cost-effective Walter Helitronic tool grinders will make their UK debuts this summer when Walter Ewag UK stages an open house at its Warwick headquarters on 27-29June.
The Helitronic Mini Plus and the Helitronic G 200 represent affordable yet capable and accurate models in the range of tool and insert grinding, erosion and laser machines available from Walter Ewag UK. Both machines are for processing tools up to 125 mm diameter and can utilise optional technology to capitalise on the rewards of increased automation.
To register call Phil Morrison 01926 485047, 07714 826832

Renishaw joins NMIS

To showcase how Scottish manufacturers can use advanced technologies such as additive manufacturing (AM) to improve their processes, Renishaw has joined the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). As part of its membership, Renishaw has installed AM systems at the new NMIS headquarters (opening later this year) and will provide its expertise to members. The company will also collaborate with other NMIS members to share its knowledge in ongoing projects, helping manufacturers unlock the true potential of AM as part of the NMIS Digital Factory.
For further information www.renishaw.com/am

Seco wants to employ more women engineers

Engineering has long been male dominated, but Seco Tools is working to encourage more gender diversity. The company’s commitment to gender diversity includes its global Female Talent Programme. Seco is also a signatory to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, where Goal number five seeks to ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’.“We are trying to encourage more young women to enter the industry because we need more diverse perspectives,” says Zoe Wood, HR manager at Seco Tools UK.“Women often have a different way of looking at problems and coming up with alternative solutions.”
For further information www.secotools.com