EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Apprentices wanted

Sheffield Forgemasters is looking to recruit 21 apprentices for 2025 as it builds an employment base for one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing facilities. The recruitment is the first of two tranches in 2025, with more places due to be announced in the coming weeks as the company drives forward a £900m investment to build a new 13,000 tonne forging line and a 30,000 m² state-of-the-art machining facility. Successful applicants will join the Ministry of Defence owned company to participate in an award-winning apprenticeship scheme that builds skills for the future.

More information www.bit.ly/4iMPNTE

Time to get smart

Manufacturing leaders across southern England are being urged to sign up to Made Smarter, the UK Government programme that helps SMEs embrace digital technologies for growth. Registration is now open to access fully funded expert advice, leadership training, student interns and technology grants to help drive growth, productivity and sustainability. The adoption programme has already launched successfully in other English regions and now, following the Government’s £16m investment into the expansion of the programme, manufacturers in the south will also be able to thrive in the digital age.

More information www.bit.ly/43ttkX9

Eriks to divest UK and Ireland business

Eriks Group has entered an agreement with Rubix Group to sell Eriks UK & Ireland, thus combining two multi-specialist industrial distributors that offer a broad range of products and services. Pamela Bingham, CEO of Eriks UK & Ireland, says “the new partnership delivers exciting opportunities for both organisations”, while Vince McGurk, CEO of Rubix UK & Ireland, says “the strong fit, shared values and commitment to meeting the needs of our customers make this a positive move for manufacturers across the UK and Ireland”. The divestment is expected to complete later this year following the usual regulatory approvals.

More information www.eriks.co.uk

Seco transforms used carbide recycling

Seco says it is transforming carbide tool recycling with a new self-service recycling portlet, making the process simple, transparent and efficient. The digitalised buy-back programme enables customers to return used carbide tools and contribute to a circular economy while benefiting from a rewarding recycling experience. This new web-based service, accessible through customers’ My Pages accounts, offers a streamlined approach where users can request quotes for their used carbide tools, order free recycling containers, book shipments, track orders, monitor CO₂ savings and receive a sustainability certificate.

More information www.secotools.com

ITC Tooling System Partner Rebrands

As a global specialist in precision tooling systems, Big Daishowa is accelerating innovation
and operational efficiency via a strategic reorganisation across its European operations.
With products available in the UK through technical partner Industrial Tooling Corporation
(ITC), the initiative includes a rebranding to Big Daishowa Europe (previously Big Kaiser). The
R&D centre in Ruemlang, Switzerland, will become the global centre of excellence for the
Big Daishowa Group, while boring tool production will transfer to Japan. By 2026, a new
European headquarters and logistics centre will open in Germany.
More information www.itc-ltd.co.uk