Falmouth-based Feritech specialises in engineering systems that operate in the harshest of environments, specifically subsea, where its products are used to survey the sea bed and provide geotechnical data for the oil and gas, military, and surveying sectors. As sales at the independently-owned business have grown, so has the need for machined components.

Initially reliant on external subcontracting, Feritech took the decision to purchase its own machining capacity, which saw the arrival of the company’s first XYZ machine.
With further growth planned the decision was taken in 2018 to bring all machining, where possible, in-house. Feritech did this by creating Carrick Engineering as its bespoke subcontract service contained within the same building. Since then, machining capacity has grown significantly and now features five machines from XYZ Machine Tools: an SMX SLV turret mill, an SLX 555 ProTurn lathe, a TC320 LTY turning centre, a TC 400 turning centre and a VMC 1510 HD vertical machining centre.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Digital manufacturer Protolabs has won a Queen’s Award for International Trade – the third time the company has been honoured by Her Majesty.

Protolabs was one of just 201 companies across the country to be recognised by the Queen to celebrate her 93rd birthday. As a digital manufacturer, Protolabs uses 3D printing, CNC machining and injection moulding technologies to produce custom-designed parts and prototypes in a matter of days.
Bjoern Klaas, vice president and managing director of Protolabs Europe, says the award is a huge honour for the company, which has its European head office in Telford, and has seen overseas sales grow from £13m in 2015 to £27.7m in 2017. “It is a great privilege for us to be recognised by Her Majesty for our excellence in international trade and a real testament to the magnificent work of every one of our team at Protolabs.”
For further information www.protolabs.co.uk

Soraluce has opened a new factory dedicated to the assembly of portal-type machining centres.

The factory, a short walk from the company’s existing plants in Spain’s Bergara region, has cost €9m and accommodates an assembly shop floor of 4900 sq m served by overhead cranes with capacities rated at up to 80 tonnes. These cranes are fed by the constituent machine parts manufactured by a range of suppliers and, crucially, by Soraluce factories that produce all critical machine components – including beds, bed ways and machining heads. The UK agent for Soraluce machines is Ward CNC.
For further information www.wardcnc.com

Bystronic UK welcomed a record number of visitors (158) to its open house in Coventry last month. The theme of the event was ‘The Smart Factory, a Vision for your Future’.

Visitors learnt how greater efficiency of production in sheet-metal laser cutting and bending can be delivered through the adoption of integrated automation and new software solutions. In this way, manufacturers can achieve a high degree of flexibility and transparency for making more cost-effective products in less time.
Andrew Richert, Bystronic UK’s sales manager, says: “Due to the open house, we received two orders immediately afterwards, one for a press brake and the other for a fibre laser cutting machine with automation. We also progressed many other projects for stand-alone lasers and press brakes, as well as an automation solution. In addition, we received nine brand new enquiries.”
For further information www.bystronic.co.uk

Subcon, the subcontract manufacturing supply chain show, has revealed the first wave of speakers as part of its co-located conference programme for 2019. On 4-6 June, Subcon will feature content from industry pioneers such as Siemens and Rolls-Royce, as well as thought leadership from organisations including MakeUK, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and WMG (formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group). A full list of speakers can be found on the Subcon website.

The conference programme will deliver insight on industry issues, with presentations from leaders responsible for some of the UK’s most inspiring and ground-breaking engineering and manufacturing projects. Subcon event director Gordon Kirk says: “We are determined to maintain the standard we set last year. From industry keynotes and influential thought leaders to sharp commercial insight, the 2019 conference programme will cover a lot of bases, but all aimed at realising business success.”
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk