THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Manufacturing Awards winners named

Business Awards UK has announced the winners of its 2024 Manufacturing Awards, recognising exceptional achievements and innovative contributions across the manufacturing sector nationwide. Best Manufacturer UK went to Milton Keynes based The Engineering Quest, a specialist in high-precision machined components. The company also won Best Family Business. Among other notable winners was Bristol Fabrications, which won the Fastest Growing Business Award. The company specialises in fabrication projects from design to installation.

For further information www.bit.ly/4aS6OYF

World’s most advanced laser welder

A leading battery technology manufacturer has completed the successful commissioning of what it describes as the world’s most advanced laser welding machine. The installation and operation of the IPG Photonics EV Flex welder is a significant milestone for the UK facility of Alexander Battery Technologies, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.

CEO Mark Rutherford says: “With the EV Flex laser now active, representing an investment of more than £500,000, our production has transformed. We can now produce our battery packs, crucial for high-end applications like e-mobility and robotic technology, with a level of precision and quality that sets a new industry standard.Our enhanced production capability has become a cornerstone of our robust growth strategy.”

For further information www.alexandertechnologies.com

WMG provides £450m boost

WMG at the University of Warwick says it has boosted the West Midlands economy by £450m: for every £1 invested into WMG’s SME programmes, around £22 returns to the local economy. In 20 years, WMG has delivered manufacturing expertise to 15,000 SMEs in the Midlands. It has also supported the creation of more than 13,000 jobs, 350 new businesses and 355 internships. Dr Mark Swift, director of SME Engagement at WMG, says: “Our work over the past 20 years has shown that targeted high-value support can help manufacturers accelerate growth, improve productivity and create jobs.”

For further information www.bit.ly/4d7HWOb

Deal signed for largest UK robots

Aerospace automation specialist Loop Technology has signed a deal with FANUC UK for
seven new robots – including the largest industrial robot ever ordered in the UK, the FANUC
M-2000iA/1700L. Three FANUC M-2000iA/1700L six-axis robots will be delivered to the
University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) for its new
innovation facility in South Yorkshire.
Part of Project Compass (Composites at Speed and Scale), the Loop/AMRC deal also
encompasses two further FANUC M-2000iA robots: a 1200L and a 900L model. As part of a
separate project, another 1700L model, along with an additional 900L unit, have been
ordered by Loop Technology to form part of a high-rate composite preforming cell for a
North American aerospace client.
For further information www.fanuc.eu

£10m heavy engineering plant

Subcontract manufacturer, WEC Group, is constructing a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq ft heavy
machining and fabrication facility in Blackburn. The development marks a significant
milestone in the group’s ongoing expansion strategy and is set to become one of the largest
subcontract machining plants in Europe, serving sectors such as nuclear, defence, offshore
and general engineering.


The facility will feature six large CNC machining centres capable of handling components up
to 20 m in length and 5 m in diameter. This will significantly expand WEC Group’s existing
capabilities, which include a trio of large Correa and an Asquith Butler travelling column
milling machines. The new plant is expected to create 60 new jobs, including 10 additional
machining apprentices.
For further information www.wec-group.com