Kendal-based engineering company Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon has made a seven-figure investment with Yamazaki Mazak to significantly increase productivity and bolster its UK manufacturing base.

Gilkes specialises in the design and manufacture of hydro-electric turbines and cooling pumps for high horse-power diesel engines, with parts sourced worldwide. The company has acquired a Mazak Integrex e-1250V/8 vertical multi-tasking machine, with the intention of increasing capacity at its Kendal facility and ultimately re-shoring the manufacture of vital components back to the UK.
Specifically, Gilkes currently sources fully-machined turbine runners from an Eastern European supplier. The new Mazak machine will enable the company to bring 40% of this machining work back to its facility in Kendal.
Gilkes’ new Integrex e-1250V/8 – one of the largest machines in the Mazak range – is designed for the multi-axis machining of large, complex workpieces. The machine is capable of performing a variety of tasks that would normally be completed by multiple machines, including turning, milling, boring and drilling operations. In addition, Mazak will be supplying a complete tool management system to reduce manual input and set-up times.
“Our current machine tools in Kendal are great workhorses, but we’ve gone about as far as we can with them,” says Rebecca Sandham, head of operations at Gilkes. “With the Mazak, we will be able to significantly increase our productivity levels, which will enable us to continue being highly competitive in our global markets.”
She continues: “The Integrex acquisition forms part of a long-term plan to upgrade our manufacturing capabilities. Ultimately, we want this investment to be seen as proof of our commitment to UK manufacturing operations and our responsibility to provide jobs for the local area.”
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

An East Staffordshire school showcased its engineering excellence last week when it won the main prize for ‘Efficient Design’ at the Manufacturing Assembly Network’s (MAN) Design & Make Challenge.

John Taylor High School beat off the challenge of eight other schools from across the UK to take the title for its hand-crafted vehicle, which ran the length of the test track in the fastest time. More than 40 year-11 pupils and A-Level students swapped their daily lessons to take part in the competition, which is funded by nine local SMEs and designed to inspire young people to consider a career in engineering.
For further information www.man-group.co.uk

Following the acquisition of Hardinge Inc by Privet Fund Management LLC during the summer of 2018, a restructuring of the group has resulted in a number of changes at the headquarters of the UK Jones & Shipman Hardinge operations.

The company has relocated from its long-established Leicester headquarters and factory to a new administration, distribution and demonstration facility on the Europark at Clifton Dunsmore, just outside Rugby.
Furthermore, the group’s sister grinding companies – Kellenberger, Hauser, Voumard, Tschudin and Usach – now include the Hardinge identity and are represented under the new Hardinge global umbrella website as distinct brands. There will be no change to the relationship between the UK company and the Okamoto brand, which Jones & Shipman Hardinge represents and supports exclusively in the UK and France.
For further information www.jonesshipman.com

Metalex 2019, which will spans 64,000 sq ft of exhibition space at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Thailand, is set to take place on 20-23 November 2019.

In 2018, the largest machine tool and metalworking technologies show in Southeast Asia attracted 99,998 visitors.
To support participation at the 2019 event, DIT is sponsoring the show with grants of £2500. Therefore, a stand in the fully furnished Great Britain branded pavilion measuring 9 sq m will now cost £2965; a 6 sq m stand £2326; and a 12 sq m stand £6884. UK SME companies looking to grow their exports outside the EU and up to six countries within the EU should qualify for the funding, including experienced exporters. The cut-off
date for applications is 26 July.
For further information https://is.gd/ugunib

The Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) has been named as the UK spoke in a northwest Europe project designed to transform the machining sector, helping 1300 SMEs to stimulate turnover and employment through the uptake of Industry 4.0 technologies.

A three-year project funded by Interreg, ‘Machining 4.0’ has received an investment of €4.25m. The project will help boost growth for SMEs within the machining sector, which despite an annual turnover of €24bn, has suffered due to a lack of innovation and increased competition from low-wage countries over the past five years.
Within the UK, the only partner is AFRC, with the other nine participants based in countries across northwest Europe, including lead partner Sirris, headquartered in Belgium, and a further eight across France, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland. Some 1000 of the 1300 SMEs targeted will receive knowledge on innovative manufacturing technologies. In addition, around 250 will be encouraged to experiment with new technologies and collaborate with research and development partners, while a further 50 will receive intensive business support.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk/research