EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

New faces at Dugard

Machine tool supplier Dugard has once again strengthened its team with the appointment of two new area sales managers. Liam Scaramuzza will enhance the company’s sales activities in the north of England, while Renny Thomas has joined to target sales in the southeast. Sales director Colin Thomson says: “Both Liam and Renny have a proven track record in the industry with a technical understanding and the ability to solve problems for customers that will be a genuine asset to Dugard. They have spent several years working with manufacturers in their respective regions.”

For further information www.dugard.com

ITC publishes 2024 catalogue

The latest edition of Industrial Tooling Corporation’s (ITC) annual product catalogue is now available. This 18th edition features many new product updates and developments from the Tamworth-based cutting tool manufacturer. The publication includes everything from drilling, milling, reaming, threading and thread milling solutions, through to specialist milling lines. Extensive sections cover cutting tools for machining aluminium, steel, heat-resistant alloys and exotic materials, as well as glass- and carbon-fibre composite materials. The publication is available online and in print. For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Battery firm invests for further growth

Global battery manufacturer Alexander Battery Technologies (ABT) is to recruit and heavily invest in its UK and overseas sites as it embarks on an ambitious growth strategy to meet rising worldwide demand. The Peterlee-based company, which designs and manufactures customised rechargeable battery packs, has enjoyed strong growth in the past 12 months with turnover rising to £18m for 2023. Since embarking on a five-year growth plan, ABT has seen revenues rise by around 30% during the last year. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the company wants to achieve a £100m annual sales within the next four years.

For further information www.alexandertechnologies.com

NMITE’s Future of Work conference

NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) is inviting local professionals, business owners, industry leaders and Hereford’s A-level and HE students to its Future of Work conference on 16 May. This free conference and educational event will discuss how evolving trends are shaping work environments. The conference encompasses four sessions: exploring how technologies are shaping the future of work; understanding the role of human skills in a tech-driven world; discussing the significance of EDI and workplace innovation for future readiness; and preparing an approach to future skills.

For further information www.bit.ly/3J8s7cf

Sodick to buy 9.5% of Prima Additive

At the end of March, an investment agreement was signed between Sodick Co Ltd, a Japanese machine tool builder specialising in EDM machines, and the shareholders of Prima Additive. The latter is an Italian company that is part of Prima Industrie Group, controlled by Alpha Private Equity and Peninsula Capital funds. Prima Additive is active in the production of industrial systems for metal additive manufacturing and other advanced laser technologies.

Sodick will acquire a minority share of 9.5% through a reserved capital increase. The agreement will also allow the development of a business alliance between the two companies functional to the growth of the product portfolio. This alliance will relate to laser technologies for material processing, focused on industrial technologies for metal additive manufacturing.

For further information www.primaadditive.com