EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Strategic realignment at FFG

Machine tool manufacturer, the Fair Friend Group (FFG), has initiated a comprehensive strategic realignment to address the current global challenges in the machine tool industry and strengthen its competitive position. As part of this transformation, FFG has appointed Dr Sebastian Schöning as its new CEO.

Schöning, who holds a PhD in mechanical engineering, brings over 20 years of professional and management experience. Since 2021, he has served as the group’s COO and as the CEO of MAG IAS GmbH. In his new role, Schöning will spearhead global strategy development and lead the group’s operations. He will have support from Rong-Rong Liu, who has been appointed CFO and will be responsible for overseeing the group’s financial management.

More information https://ffg-ea.com

FANUC names 2024 open house date

The annual FANUC UK open house will take place on 12-14 November 2024.Visitors will be able to see the company’s latest technologies, including industrial and collaborative robots, machining centres, EDM machines, and plastic injection moulding machines. A long list of guest exhibitors will also presentvarious automation applications.

Hosted at FANUC’s UK headquarters at Ansty Park, Coventry, another attraction of the open house willbe its series of talks, panel discussions and interviews with leading lights in British industry, who will tackle the most pressing issues facing UK manufacturers. The themes for each day will be: day 1 – enabling step change in automation adoption; day 2 – education for automation adoption; and day 3 – UK automation 2030.

Register at https://ukopenhouse.fanuc.eu

Third Princess Royal Training Award for Xtrac

Xtrac, a specialist in developing transmission systems for professional motorsport and high-performance automotive applications, has received its third Princess Royal Training Award. It is the only company in the automotive and motorsport industry to win the apprenticeship training mark of recognition for a third time. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will present the award at a ceremony where 52 award winners, including Bentley Motors and Lotus Cars from the automotive sector, will gather in November.Over 30% of Xtrac’s employees are under 30 years of age. 

More information www.xtrac.com/xtrac-academy

Coventry robotics firm secures €1.4m deal

Coventry-based Expert Technologies Group has won a multimillion-pound contract in Spain following a €1.4m financing deal involving UK Export Finance (UKEF). Expert Technologies designs and delivers robotic assembly systems, tools and special machinery that support automation in industry. The manufacturer has begun a new project with the Spanish arm of Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze (SEBN), a global supplier of parts for the automotive industry.

The project will comprise two brand-new automated auxiliary harness assembly lines for electric vehicles. Support from UKEF means that Expert Technologies Group has been able to access €1.4m in working capital from NatWest to help it deliver this contract, which will support up to 10 jobs within the group.

More information www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk

Key Renishaw appointment

Renishaw has appointed Kasim Hussain as its new group general counsel and company secretary. Hussain, who joined Renishaw in July 2024, will lead the group’s legal, compliance and company secretarial functions, including the regional legal and compliance teams. With substantial experience of working in a listed environment, Hussain will provide strategic direction to Renishaw’s board of directors and executive committee. He will also advise the company on all matters of risk and governance. Prior to joining Renishaw, Hussain was group divisional counsel at the FTSE 100 global engineering group, Spirax Group.

More information www.renishaw.com