THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Lean workshop kickstarts investment

A precision engineering specialist has completed a £650,000 investment drive to help it
boost efficiency and create a new inspection department. Technoset, which employs 27
people at its factory in Rugby, took learnings from a Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth
Programme lean workshop to create a more streamlined process flow and a world-class
production and inspection cell.
Two Star SL 10 sliding-head lathes headline the recent investments, alongside two new
Mitutoyo Crysta-Apex CMMs. “We’re always looking at ways to improve our manufacturing
performance,” says managing director Adam Land. “Discussing and learning about different
best practice approaches at the lean workshop crystalised our thinking and gave us the
confidence to continue with our £650,000 investment.”
More information www.warwickshire-mgp.co.uk

Stuart Lawson Rejoins Ward CNC

Stuart Lawson has rejoined CNC machine tool supplier TW Ward CNC Machinery Ltd (Ward
CNC) in the position of sales manager. As well as overseeing new CNC machine tool sales,
Stuart will form a key part of the company’s senior management team. Ward CNC is the
exclusive UK distributor for machine tool brands such as Hyundai-Wia, Hartford, Soraluce,
Takisawa, Hankook and Gurutzpe.
Managing director Simon Whitworth says: “We’re pleased to have Stuart back on board at
Ward CNC. He possesses a wealth of experience in the machine tool industry, both from his
previous time with us, in addition to extensive industry knowledge. He’ll make a significant
contribution to our ongoing success.”
More information www.wardcnc.com

64% fail metalworking fluid checks

A freedom of information request submitted by TotalEnergies Marketing UK Ltd to the UK Government’s independent workplace safety regulator has revealed widespread non-compliance relating to the use of metalworking fluids. A total of 285 unannounced inspections were carried out by the HSE on manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids or coolants in their machining processes, over a period of eight months. The inspections identified significant safety breaches relating to these fluids at 181 sites between September 2023 and April 2024, equivalent to around 64% of all inspections.More information www.bit.ly/4fKcpC6

Tadweld Celebrates Record Year

Tadcaster-based engineering and fabrication business Tadweld rounded off 2024 by
celebrating a record year. The company not only saw year-on-year sales climb by 50% in
comparison with 2023, it also created 12 new positions and has plans to create 30 more
over the coming three years.
Further Tadweld achievements in 2024 included winning the ‘Digital Technology in
Engineering’ accolade at the Made in Yorkshire Awards. The business also racked up a new
record of 2400 training hours with six new apprentices, invested in new space and facilities
to the tune of £1m+, and continued embracing innovation through the implementation of
laser welding equipment.
More information www.tadweld.co.uk

One-Hit Machining Takes Spotlight

More than 90 visitors from the UK and overseas (representing 45 manufacturers) attended
last month’s Hurco open house in High Wycombe. Managing director David Waghorn said
that after tough trading conditions in 2024, the company experienced a strong upturn in
business towards the end of the year.
The event proved to be an excellent springboard into 2025, particularly as Hurco Europe’s
order backlog is in excess of £8m, more than double the figure of 12 months ago. The event
focused on one-hit machining using Hurco five-axis machining centres. The company offers
four styles of five-axis machining centre: cantilever, trunnion-type, B-axis spindle and
bridge-type machines with a two-axis spindle head.
More information www.hurco.co.uk