EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Makino top management visits NCMT

Shotaro Miyazaki, president of Tokyo-based Makino Milling Machine Co, which manufactures machining centres, spark erosion machines and VIPER grinding centres, visited UK and Ireland sales and service agent NCMT in Coventry recently to participate in their joint 60thanniversary celebrations.More than 100 guests, including representatives from the last three generations of NCMT management, sat down to lunch at NCMT’s showroom and technical centre to commemorate various achievements over the years.

The occasion was especially pertinent because Makino wasGerry Gray’s first technology partner, which led directly to the founding of NCMT by Gray in 1964 to sell Makino products exclusively. When the initial machine was imported, it was the first Japanese-built CNC machine tool installation in the UK.

More information www.ncmt.co.uk

Mazak hosts STEM Challenge final

Yamazaki Mazak hosted more than 80 Worcestershire primary school students from 46 schools last month as they put their design skills and ideas to the test in the Primary STEM Challenge final. The STEM Challenge is an initiative designed to engage primary school students in hands-on activities and projects that promote interest and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Organised by STEMworks UK, this year’s brief was developed in partnership with Worcestershire Highways and focused on improving crossings at busy roads for pedestrians and cyclists. 

More information www.mazakeu.co.uk 

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