UK NEWS

Transforming Wind Turbine Repairs

A research collaboration between Renewable Parts Ltd (RPL), SSE Renewables and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has demonstrated the potential to remanufacture critical onshore wind turbine components – restoring worn or damaged parts to their original specification or better. The outcomes could drastically cut waste, reduce carbon emissions and extend part life.

Using additive manufacturing, analysis and inspection techniques, the team successfully restored damaged pinion shafts from a wind turbine yaw gearbox, a key component that keeps turbines facing into the wind to maximise energy capture. Early trials showed that remanufactured parts could perform to original specifications following machining and NDT, saving up to 84 kg of CO2e per remanufactured component.

More information www.nmis.scot

Boost For NP Aerospace

NatWest is supporting Coventry-based military armour and vehicle support specialist NP Aerospace with a multi-million funding package to grow its global business. The funding facility, which includes a trade finance facility backed by UK Export Finance and capital investment facilities from Lombard, will enable NP Aerospace to expand its exporting capabilities. NatWest and Lombard have been supporting NP Aerospace with facilities and financial products since 2021. The business, which now expects to create new jobs, has operated in Coventry for almost 100 years and employs 380 people at its global facilities.

More information www.npaerospace.com

Funding for STEM events

Thousands of underrepresented UK schoolchildren have been given access to high-quality STEM experiences through Drax Foundation funding, in partnership with EngineeringUK. Funding for Engineering UK’s ‘Big Bang at School’ bursaries has now enabled 10 priority schools to host their own STEM events – bringing the magic of the Big Bang to the classroom with an inspiring day of activities. The bursaries, supported by £15,000 of matched funding, gave 3088 pupils the opportunity to engage in STEM activities. The scheme caters to schools serving youngsters underrepresented in the engineering workforce.

More information www.drax.com

Metelec expands with NI facility

Specialist copper supply chain partner Metelec has announced the launch of a distribution facility in Belfast, offering improved convenience and delivery times for customers across Northern Ireland. Metelec has strengthened its relationship with ARO Logistics to open the operation in its state-of-the-art 36,000 sq ft distribution facility in Newtownabbey, from which deliveries will be made across the country.

One of the UK’s largest distributors of copper bars, busbars, copper profiles and copper components, Metelec has a head office in the West Midlands, as well as operating from another distribution centre in Tullamore, Republic of Ireland. The Newtownabbey centre will shorten delivery times for dozens of customers in Northern Ireland.

More information www.metelec.com

JOSCAR approval granted to Pre-Met

A Redditch-based metal pressing and stamping specialist is targeting a multi-million-pound opportunity in aerospace, automotive and defence after it was approved by a major industry buying portal. Pre-Met, which recently acquired Quality Springs & Pressings, has passed all the criteria and compliance checks required to be listed on JOSCAR, a global best-practice supplier portal used by thousands of major OEMs, tier 1s and supply chain companies across the UK and Europe. The company’s 100% OTIF delivery performance, quality scores and commitment to EH&S best practice saw it pass all checks

More information www.metalpressingsandstampings.co.uk