Welshpool-based precision engineering firm Dawson Shanahan has seen phenomenal growth in the first two months of the year, with order intake of automotive components, particularly those for the e-mobility sector, up by 37% in comparison to the same period in 2021. The growth has come from a mix of new and long-standing customers that include OEMs and tier one automotive manufacturers.

As part of Dawson Shanahan’s investment plan and to help meet orders, a further two rotary transfer machines have been completely refurbished for CNC control and are arriving in April. These machines will meet increased requirements for electric vehicle parts in response to high consumer demand. Interestingly, sales for 2021 were 27% up on 2020 and 17% on 2019, so the latest figures point to yet more growth for Dawson Shanahan.

For further information
www.dawson-shanahan.co.uk

MACH 2022 (4-8 April, Birmingham NEC) showcases the UK’s largest display of new machinery and manufacturing technologies for four years. Key themes for the five-day show include: the revival of the manufacturing industry post-pandemic; the drive to net zero and exploiting the opportunities offered by decarbonisation; the development of innovative technologies shaping advanced manufacturing; a special focus on additive manufacturing; and a showcase highlighting the skills and expertise contained within the UK manufacturing supply chain.

James Selka, CEO of show organiser the MTA, says: “With the UK economy growing and the CBI predicting that plans for spending on plant and machinery over the coming 12 months have improved considerably, the timing of MACH 2022 could not be better. Technologies have never been more powerful and affordable; the UK has an incredible reputation for its innovative and flexible workforce, while finance assisted by government incentives is incredibly good value and widely available.”

For further information www.machexhibition.com

With UK manufacturing exiting the pandemic at speed and the fuel crisis pushing the UK government to source more fuel from the North Sea, Dugard has appointed Ross Love as area sales manager for Scotland. Love has almost 20 years of experience in the manufacturing sector.

Sales director Colin Thomson says: “Ross has an excellent track record in technical sales in the cutting tool sector, which will put him in good stead for his future with Dugard. Additionally, as a former machinist, CNC programmer and applications engineer for a machine tool company, his fundamental knowledge and understanding will be extremely beneficial to customers of Dugard in Scotland.”

For further information
www.dugard.com

Westley Group, one of Europe’s largest privately-owned foundry and engineering groups, is set to further invest in new CNC machinery following an eight-figure funding package from HSBC UK. The funding will support the group’s UK business plans to add further value to its foundry activities through machining more of the castings it produces for its worldwide customer base.
Notably, the financing will also allow Westley Group to grow further into existing and emerging markets for its complex products; most of which are safety-critical in application. As a result, the company will create a number of new jobs in skilled machining operations across its four manufacturing sites. Westley Group was recognised as one of the UK’s top 200 private companies with fastest-growing international sales in the 2021 Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200.

For further information www.bit.ly/3I8l0h2

MACH 2022, the UK’s largest machine tool exhibition, will take place on 4-8 April at the Birmingham NEC. Alongside a plethora of machine tools and associated technologies, the show will focus on a number of key industry areas and feature a dedicated Education & Development Zone. Sponsored by Sandvik Coromant, the E&D Zone will feature special displays from Airbus Defence & Space, the University of Wolverhampton Formula 3 Race Team, Vex Robotics, the Bowers Group Mobile Metrology Centre, F1 in Schools, and the Engineering Development Trust (EDT).

Airbus Defence & Space, for instance, will be displaying its ExoMars Rover ground demonstration model, ‘Bruno’. Bruno is the Earth-based testing model of its counterpart, the ‘Rosalind Franklin’ Rover, which will search for life on Mars. The ExoMars will be demonstrating how it can navigate the surface of Mars, while representatives from Airbus will show how they communicate remotely with the rover. The team will also answer questions from young people keen to learn more about engineering in the air and space sectors.

For further information www.machexhibition.com