EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Big Bang Fair returns in June

The Big Bang Fair – the UK’s largest celebration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) for young people – is set to return this summer. Run by EngineeringUK, the annual fair is designed to ignite a passion for STEM and showcase career possibilities in these sectors. Taking place on 19-21 June 2024 at the Birmingham NEC, the fair will welcome students aged 10 to 13 from across the UK. Schools and home educators can register for free tickets to attend.

A diverse range of employers will come together at the 2024 fair to bring engineering and tech careers to life – from sectors that include aerospace, rail, automotive and energy. This gives young people the opportunity to meet STEM professionals, as well as join exciting live shows and inspiring career panels. Almost 16,000 young people attended the fair last year, along with 2300 teachers.

For further information www.thebigbang.org.uk

PP C&A on course for £40m sales

A UK strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialists has set its sights on breaking the £40m sales revenue barrier in 2024. PP Control & Automation, which works with over 20 of the world’s most successful machinery builders in a wide range of markets, has seen sales rise from £24m to £36m over the past 12 months. The business is now looking to add a further £4m of orders by investing in more automation at its West Midlands factory.

Ian Knight, chief information officer, says: “We are massive advocates of combining investment in automation with investment in people.This blended approach seems to be paying off with a record year in 2023 and strong growth prospects for the next 12 months.”

For further information www.ppcanda.com

Module Works Partners with DN Solutions

ModuleWorks, a software provider for the CADCAM industry, has struck up a partnership with CNC machine tool builder DN Solutions involving equity investment and business co-operation. The collaboration will foster a close working relationship between the two companies, focusing on the joint development of machine tool software and the creation of integrated solutions to drive digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. DN Solutions will leverage the software resources provided by ModuleWorks to enhance the pace of developing intelligent, automated machining cycles and user-assisted solutions.

For further information www.moduleworks.com

Mazak takes its largest ever UK order

Yamazaki Mazak UK has recorded a successful year for machine sales in 2023, a year that included its largest-ever machine order.The success was driven by a strong pipeline of high-value project wins based around the company’s experience and competence in project management, engineering support and turnkey solutions. In addition, a particularly strong December open house attracted more than 700 visitors over the four days.

During the year, Mazak also sold its largest-ever machine into the UK market and achieved strong sales for five-axis machines, multi-tasking machines (2023 marked the 35th anniversary of the introduction of Mazak’s flagship Integrex machine series) and the QT turning centre range.Results were also helped by the strong performance of key sectors, including aerospace, defence and medical, along with the recovery in the energy sector and subcontracting.

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Grinder of the Year

Young talent can now register for the Grinder of the Year competition and put their theoretical knowledge and practical grinding skills to the test. Alongside the Grinder of the Year 2024 title itself, training vouchers of up to €3500 are also up for grabs alongside many other attractive prizes. Apprentices, journeymen and women, as well as career-changers, can apply up to 26 February 2024. The campaign has been launched by GrindingHub, the trade fair for grinding technology, in cooperation with the Australian grinding machine manufacturer and principal sponsor Anca.

For further information www.grinder-of-the-year.de