UK NEWS

TSSE buys KRG

Torishima Service Solutions Europe (TSSE) has acquired of KRG Specialist Engineering Services (KRG) located in Coatbridge, Scotland. KRG is a subcontract precision engineering company that will provide TSSE and its parent company Torishima Pump Manufacturing of Japan with additional machining capabilities and resources. Both TSSE and KRG have complementary engineering expertise and can jointly provide their customer base with a fuller range of services. KRG was founded in 1978 as a family owned business and has grown significantly to employ 82 people and generate turnover of £8.7m (2024).

More information www.torishima.co.uk

Thousands of new apprenticeships promised

A £725m package of reforms to the apprenticeship system will help tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth, with as many as 50,000 more young people expected to benefit over the next three years. As part of the package, the Government will cover the full cost of apprenticeships for eligible young people under 25 at SMEs. Businesses will also gain from a boost in flexibility as new short courses in cutting-edge areas including AI, engineering and digital skills will commence rollout from April. This includes working closely with the defence sector to develop a suite of flexible, work-based training options.

More information www.gov.uk

EngineeringUK welcomes three new trustees

Not-for-profit organisation EngineeringUK has appointed three new trustees to its board: James Murnieks, Jo Passingham and Neil Young. Murnieks is CFO and executive director at Siemens UK and Ireland, while Passingham is currently interim CEO of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Young is global engineering capability director at Babcock International Group, where he leads engineering strategy areas around people, process and tools. EngineeringUK chair Iain Conn says: “Our new trustees bring new perspectives that I’m sure will provide insightful contributions to our work.”

More information www.engineeringuk.com

AI initiative boosts 250 Scottish manufacturers

A £2.2mproject led by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has so far supported 90 organisations and upskilled 250 people in the exploration of how data science and artificial intelligence (AI) can boost productivity, efficiency and competitiveness across Scotland’s manufacturing sector.

The Data-Driven Design and Manufacturing Colab (D3M Colab), delivered by NMIS, is helping to close the gap between manufacturing and digital technologies by giving engineers the confidence and practical skills to apply data-driven methods within their own businesses. Through hands-on projects and tailored training, participating companies are learning how data can solve real-world industrial challenges, from improving production processes and quality control to enhancing equipment reliability.

More information www.nmis.scot

Mazak open house draws over 500 visitors

Over 500 manufacturing professionals visited Yamazaki Mazak’s open house in Worcester last month as the machine tool builder recorded strong interest in its latest UK-made models, such as the Integrex j-200 NEO multi-tasking turn-mill machine and the next-generation CV5 five-axis machining centre. The three-day event included over 19 live-cutting demonstrations. Visitors were also invited to take part in dedicated ‘Technology Tours’.

Alan Mucklow, UK managing director, said: “My key takeaway is that there’s strong appetite for investment and that manufacturers are ready to turn to technology as they seek higher productivity. This sentiment has been backed up by a high level of post-event interest, especially in our UK-made machines. This feedback vindicates our strategic decision to enhance further the capability and range of models manufactured here in Worcester.”

More information www.mazak.com