EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Digital literacy will unlock power of data

Digital literacy and data engineers will be key to manufacturers unlocking the potential of data for their businesses, says the director for industrial digitalisation at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Professor Rab Scott delivered the message at ‘Power of data and digital in industry’, an event held at Barnsley Digital Media Centre to explore the initial outcomes and learnings from NextGen, a project to embed low-cost digital technologies at manufacturers across South Yorkshire and Wales.

FourJaw’s Chris Iveson and Connexin’s Rikki Coles also spoke at the event and, together with Scott, made a powerful case for how adopting a digitally-focused culture – and unlocking the power of data – can help productivity, save energy and reduce waste. Scott said ‘digital literacy’ is a crucial first step for manufacturers who want to start their digital transformation journey – and that step is one NextGen can help them take with confidence.
For further information j.stammers@amrc.co.uk

New director at EngineeringUK

EngineeringUK says Maddie Dinwoodie will join as director of engagement programmes this summer. Dinwoodie joins the organisation from UK Youth, where she is currently chief programme officer. With a background in the not-for-profit sector, she has 20 years’ experience in developing programmes for young people, growing partnerships and improving impact. Says Dinwoodie: “It will be a privilege to work with the team and partners to create the systemic shift that we need to see: inspiring more young people from all backgrounds into engineering and technology, and tackling employment inequalities.”
For further information www.engineeringuk.com

Gripple celebrates billionth fastener milestone

Gripple, a Sheffield-based employee-owned manufacturer of wire joiners and tensioners for agriculture and suspension solutions for construction and the solar industry, is celebrating a notablemilestone: producing its one billionth fastener.A celebration event took place at Riverside, Sheffield, one of Gripple’s six manufacturing facilities in South Yorkshire to mark the achievement, which included current staff and retired employees who had been involved with the manufacture of the first generation of Gripple fasteners. In 2022, the company manufactured 70 million units across 100 variants.
For further information www.gripple.com

ASG Arrowsmith gains SC21 OE Silver award

Already a holder of major aerospace accreditations that include AS9100, NADCAP, ISO 14001, and Queens Award for International Trade, ASG Arrowsmith is now also an SC21 OE Silver award holder. Managing Director Jason Aldridge says: “We have set objectives to focus on the control of key measures, make ongoing improvements across the business, maintain KPIs while increasing turnover and expandour customer portfolio. To achieve this, we plan to push for SC21 Gold, continue our support for the SC21 community and drive further growth.”
For further information www.asg-group.co/arrowsmith

MSC becomes Renishaw Channel Partner

MSC Industrial Supply Co (MSC) has joined Renishaw’s Channel Partner Programme, marking the latest in a series of strategic partnerships to enhance its portfolio of metalworking and MRO industrial consumables. Launched in 2021, the Renishaw Channel Partner Programme aims to increase the level of local customer service and support. Renishaw selects partner companies based on their sector-specific expertise and range of metrology and manufacturing disciplines.

Under the partnership agreement, MSC will stock a broad portfolio of Renishaw machine tool probes and styli. The company will also install a series of Renishaw products at the newly built MSC Technology Centre in Wednesbury to further improve its technical engineering support offering for customers.
For further informationwww.mscdirect.co.uk