EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Tube mill at Corby

A new steel tube-making machine is taking shape at Tata Steel’s Corby works as part of its site-wide £30m development programme. The tube mill, designed and built by Italian engineering company Mair Research, is already arriving in sections at the Northamptonshire site. Tata’s new ‘combination’ tube mill, which will replace an old cold-formed tube mill and 6-inch tube mill, is due for commissioning in October this year. It is the latest piece in the puzzle to transform Corby into a world-class and net-zero steel tube-making facility.

The site is already benefitting from a new integrated warehouse facility

More information www.tatasteeleurope.com

Goodfellow acquires Potomac Photonics

A supplier of advanced materials and metals has completed its first acquisition to give it greater capability and an immediate manufacturing footprint in the US. Goodfellow, which is owned by Battery Ventures, has purchased micro-fabrication specialist Potomac Photonics in a strategic deal that will help the firm increase its presence in the rapidly expanding medical device sector and microfluidics. It marks a strong start to 2024 for the Huntingdon-based business and comes only a few weeks after agreeing a significant distribution contract and launching a new brand to drive ambitious growth targets.

More information www.goodfellow.com

Renishaw supports SEND students

To help special educational needs and disability (SEND) students in Gloucestershire access equal employment opportunities and develop career skills, Renishaw recently assisted Gloucestershire Careers Hub with hosting interview days. Over 130 students from local SEND schools attended the two-day event, which involved job interview practice. Rebecca Bound, early careers STEM outreach manager at Renishaw, says: “By taking part in a range of activities, we hope to introduce SEND students to various opportunities in engineering and showcase how it’s possible to nurture their abilities in a work environment.”

More information www.renishaw.com/stem-outreach

Mapal names new chief sales officer

With effect from 1 July 2024, Claudio Gabos is the new chief sales officer of precision tool manufacturer Mapal Group and thus becomes part of the Mapal executive team. He takes over the role from Siegfried Wendel. Joining Mapal in 2015, Gabos has been managing director of the Italian subsidiary since 2017. He was also responsible for strategic projects on a global scope.

“We are delighted that we’ve been able to recruit Claudio Gabos for the position, a trusted colleague who has the ideal qualifications for this role,” says Dr Jochen Kress, president of the Mapal Group. “We’re convinced that he’ll make an important contribution to our further development.”

More information www.mapal.com

First NMITE cohort enters workplace

The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has reached a significant milestone with its first students entering the workplace. Among the first to complete one of NMITE’s innovative degrees are individuals who have secured impressive and prestigious positions in industry, showcasing the effectiveness of NMITE’s unique educational approach.

NMITE set out with a mission to revolutionise engineering education and took in its first students in September 2021. Located in Hereford, the institute offers forward-thinking integrated engineering degrees. NMITE’s curriculum is hands-on and project-based, ensuring students gain real-world experience from day one. 

More information www.nmite.ac.uk