Made Smarter North West has launched a new peer-to-peer network that aims to
accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers. The Digital Champions Network
brings together businesses that have engaged with Made Smarter’s adoption programme,
including graduates of its Leading Digital Transformation and Leading Change for Digital
Champions programmes.
The initiative will connect employees actively engaged in digitalisation, from the top floor to
the shop floor, at different stages of technology adoption. In-person and online events will
take place throughout the year that enable participants to share learning and experiences,
thus forging long-lasting connections.
More information www.madesmarter.uk

GE Aerospace has signed the Defence Aviation Net Zero Charter set out by the UK’s Ministry
of Defence (MOD). Scott Keating, regional GM – sales & business development for European
defence and systems at GE Aerospace, says: “This marks a significant step forward in our
efforts to collaborate and share best practices with our partners. It will help ensure that
defence aviation positively contributes to the UK Government’s net-zero ambitions and the
Royal Air Force’s aspirational goal to achieve net zero by 2040.”  
Shaun Harris, director support and chief engineer at the Royal Air Force, adds: “Defence
aviation must be able to retain its ability to operate globally, to defend the UK and its allies
in a changing climatic environment, while also significantly reducing our own carbon
emissions.” 
More information www.geaerospace.com

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Zayer machine tools from DN Solutions and Zayer in the UK and Ireland, has strengthened its management team through the promotion of two existing members of staff to director positions. Both appointments become effective from 1 August 2024.

Richard Wilson (pictured), current business manager for the West Midlands, Wiltshire and home counties region, has become Mills’ new sales director. This company-wide role will see Wilson assume responsibility for the strategic planning, co-ordination and implementation of the company’s UK sales operations. The second appointment sees Craig Clarke, Mills’ existing operations manager, promoted to operations director.

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

To help service its growing customer base in India and Japan, UK-based Renishaw has recently opened two state-of-the-art technology centres: one in Chennai, India, and one in Nagoya, Japan. These upgraded facilities will strengthen Renishaw’s presence in both countries and improve customer access to the company’s engineering services and technologies.

Renishaw is continuing to invest in upgraded and new facilities to better support its customers. In addition to the facilities in India and Japan, within the past year the company has also opened new offices in Brazil and created its first subsidiary operation in the United Arab Emirates. The latter will serve the rapidly growing manufacturing and advanced engineering sectors in the Gulf Cooperation Council region and Egypt.

More information www.renishaw.com