EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Creating the perfect customer journey

The Retail Supply Chain & Logistics Expo, taking place on 27-28 of February at London’s ExCeL, is an unmissable event for retailers seeking supply chain optimisation, withfree ticketsavailable to those wishing to attend. Faster deliveries and streamlined returns are a result of organisation in the supply chain that relies on coherent warehousing and distribution. The expo will guide retailers in improving these key elements to enhance the customer experience.

With hundreds of exhibitors in attendance, visitors can explore a range of cutting-edge solutions, from AI and machine learning, through learning transportation management systems, advanced planning systems and data analysis, to automation. These innovations promise to revolutionise the effectiveness of a product’s journey. Expo visitors can also listen and learn from inspirational speakers, comprising world-leading experts from the retail supply chain and logistics world.

For booking enquiries www.retailscl.co.uk/exhibit/#form

Copper specialist moves to new facility

Specialist copper supply chain partner Metelec has completed a move to “game-changing” state-of-the-art facilities in Wolverhampton. The £30m+ turnover company now resides at a 47,973 sq ft office and distribution centre at Hilton Cross Business Park, moving from Bloxwich.The building includes a multi-functional open space forboth employee and customer events.

Managing director Kevin Draper says the move represents a significant moment in the company’s history as it looks to expand and grow: “It future-proofs our business and allows us to push forward with our expansion plans. We’ve invested a significant amount to make this a premier place to work. From an environmental point of view, the building delivers huge energy savings and we’re planning to introduce an integrated renewable energy management system, which we simply couldn’t have done at the old building.”For more informationwww.metelec.com

New blueprint for growth follows record year

A UK training provideris celebrating a record year after it completed several strategic projects and saw demand for manufacturing apprenticeships and upskilling courses soar. In-Comm Training, which operates two technical academies in Aldridge and Telford, has seen revenue increase by 25% over the past 12 months. The main driver was the firm’s largest ever intake of nearly 200 apprentices lastautumn, and a rise in demand for modular courses and managed services. In-Comm is now launching a new five-year business strategy with “exciting changes, partnerships and new investments to announce”.

For further informationwww.in-comm.co.uk

Metalex attracts over 98,000 visitors

The organiser of Metalex 2023, which took place at BITEC in Bangkok at the end of November, reports that the show attracted 98,686 visitors across the four-day event. It was the year’s largest gathering of the metalworking community in the ASEAN region, with crowds attracted to an exhibition comprising over 2500 brands and playing host to seven international pavilions. The event also hosted 119 speakers from various associations who imparted their expertise at 41 seminars.

Exhibitors, seminar participants and visitors all played an important part in solidifying the ASEAN region’s metalworking community, which is ready to innovate a new future for business. The organiser of Metalex now looks forward to welcoming everyone again at Metalex 2024, which take place at the same venue on 20-23 November.

For further information www.metalex.co.th

Mazak enjoys ‘packed’ open house




Yamazaki Mazak’s investment in its UK manufacturing facilities was one of the main draws behind a strong attendance at its recent annual open house.The event, themed ‘building for your future’, linked the increase in capacity at the company’s European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester with its ability to now offer significantly shorter lead times on key machines.In total the open house received over 700 visitors over the four days.

Jason Butler, sales director for Yamazaki Mazak UK, says the strong attendance proved Mazak’s strategy in the UK: “I’m very pleased, we had a packed European Technology Centre over each day with plenty of potential new customers visiting us for the first time. That says to me our message of continued investment in Worcester, which has led to increased production capacity and very short lead times on key machines, is really resonating with UK manufacturers.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk