EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

£30m AMIC contract

A construction contractor has been appointed to the Queen’s University Belfast-led Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), a £100m Belfast Region City Deal project, with almost £80m coming from the UK Government. Henry Brothers has won the £30m contract to construct the 10,500 sq m ‘Factory of the Future’ building at Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey. By 2050, estimates predict that AMIC will have contributed more than £1bn to the local economy, directly and indirectly created over 1500 permanent jobs, and supported the training of 300 apprentices.
For further information www.bit.ly/3JmSICZ

ModuleWorks names early MDES adopters

ModuleWorks reports that CADCAM vendor Autodesk and machine tool builder DN Solutions (formally Doosan Machine Tools) are adopting the recently released Manufacturing Data Exchange Specification (MDES). ModuleWorks introduced MDES as an open specification for exchanging digital representations of manufacturing equipment between various hardware and software systems across multiple process steps. This covers tool components, assemblies, fixtures, stocks, set-ups and their mounting in machine tools.
Autodesk and DN Solutions are among the first companies to adopt MDES.
For further information www.mdes.info/en

Rebrand for Seco

Cutting tool supplier Seco is introducing a drastically updated visual identity alongside a long-term brand strategy. The company is describing the move as the first in a sequence of major steps as the business positions itself as a global name for industry innovation, efficiency and sustainability. There was a lot of heritage in the old logo, with this update being what people notice first with the new branding. The new logo is an evolution of the old one, built on the company’s iconic colours, because being bright and positive is a huge part of Seco’s identity.
For further information www.secotools.com

Metalex Vietnam opens this week

The 16th edition of Metalex Vietnam, a leading international exhibition for machine tools and metalworking technologies, takes place this week (4-6 October) at the SECC show venue in Ho Chi Minh City. The last event in 2022 attracted over 11,000 local and overseas visitors from more than 20 countries.

Metalex Vietnam will this year operate under the theme of ‘Creating the next giant manufacturers’, with the aim of accelerating Vietnam’s domestic manufacturing market. The event promises to offer a one-stop destination for world-class technology providers and local industrialists to exchange breakthrough ideas and business know-how. The advancements on show could lead to a burst of innovation, productivity improvements and a reconnected world. A full conference/technical program will complement the exhibition.
For further information www.metalexvietnam.com

Mazak Recognised as leading employer

Machine tool builder Yamazaki Mazak can now claim recognition as one of the top employers in Worcestershire following its long-standing work with local education institutions and commitment to sustainable job creation.Mazak stands out as one of just 12 businesses in the region to gain the Cornerstone Certificate from Worcestershire County Council’s Local Enterprise Partnership. It celebrates employers with a deep-rooted culture of fostering the next generation of talent and an ongoing commitment to nurturing the future workforce, continuously enhancing skills and promoting academic achievement.

Mazak employs over 600 people at its European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester, which has the capacity to build over 1000 machine tools a year. The company has successfully trained over 250 apprentices, a significant number of whom now hold senior positions within Mazak.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk