One of industry’s leading business figures has put manufacturing on the map by securing a notable regional award. PP Control & Automation’s Tony Hague was named as CEO of the Year at the Business Desk West Midlands Awards, beating off competition from some of the area’s biggest names from wide range of sectors, including marketing, tourism and leisure. Under his leadership and commitment to investment in automation and technology, PP C&A has grown from 27 staff and £2.5m sales to a £36m+ turnover business, working with 20 of the world’s largest machinery builders.

For further information www.ppcanda.com

Companies in Telford, Shropshire and Herefordshire are set for a manufacturing boost, with In-Comm Training due to launch a new robotic automation cell. The independent training provider is investing more than £200,000 through the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and the Marches Education Partnership into creating a dedicated seven-axis robotic training capability that will help firms upskill or reskill workers. Hundreds of individuals will have access to robotic programming, maintenance and automation courses that will give them the skills needed to help their employers take advantage of new opportunities.

For further information www.in-comm.co.uk

Trumpf’s Bend TecDay 2024, held at the company’s Luton headquarters in February, proved a resounding success with an impressive number of visitors attending from both existing and potential customers. The highlight of the event for visitors was to get up close and personal with Trumpf’s new TruBend Series 1000 press brake. Designed as the ideal entry to Trumpf bending solutions, the new TruBend 1000 impresses with simple and reliable operation at high levels of precision and speed.

The new machine set the theme for Bend TecDay 2024, delivering an easy-to-understand introduction to the Trumpf world of bending and focusing on all the essentials that help manufacturers start their bending journey. The company says that its TruBend Series 1000 centres on what really counts with its sturdy system structure, high-quality components and intuitive programming system, reducing the skill level required for operation.

For further information www.trumpf.com

The history of Bowers Group’s Moore & Wright brand is being brought to life by The Hawley Tool Collection as its new ‘Britain’s Tool Factory’ exhibition launches at the Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield. With a history dating back over 100 years, Moore & Wright is one of the most prominent names in measurement tools and one deeply rooted in the history of the steel city.

Famous for its range of high-quality tools and measuring equipment, the new exhibition tells the story of the brand and its products, as well as some of its former employees. Two years in the making, highlights of the display include a BBC video spotlighting Moore and Wright’s Micro 2000, hailed as the world’s first digital micrometer.

For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk