Northeast manufacturer BEL Valves has invested £250,000 over the past 18 months to future proof the business as part of its sustainability plans. Following an extensive restructure in 2020, the valve manufacturer aims to generate up to £20m in sales by 2025 as part of a five-year plan, targeting the energy transition market, as well as traditional markets. The business has invested in two state-of-the-art automated storage and retrieval units that have transformed the stores and stock handling process. Additional work to upgrade the assembly and test offices, testing bays, lighting and paint work has also started.

For further information
www.belvalves.com

Lotus has officially opened its new sports car manufacturing facility at Hethel, Norfolk, naming it in honour of the company’s founder and inspiration. The Chapman Production Centre is a world-class centre of excellence that is already building the Emira, the last petrol-powered car from Lotus. Together with Lotus Advanced Structures (LAS), Lotus’ new sub-assembly facility in Norwich, the Chapman Production Centre is part of a £100m investment by Lotus in the UK. It is also an investment in the skills and passion of the Lotus team, which has more than doubled since 2017 when Geely became the majority shareholder.

For further information
www.lotuscars.com

Sertec Corporation Ltd, the global automotive components manufacturer, has invested £5.9m developing its capabilities to support JLR’s production of the newest Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. This significant investment has enhanced Sertec’s use of robotic and automated cells, as well as significantly increasing its automated MIG, TIG and spot welding capabilities. At full production, Sertec will manufacture a total of 211 different parts to produce around 3500 car sets a week. Sertec has also recently invested £1.7m in its R&D programmes.

For further information
www.sertec.co.uk

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is now offering manufacturers the opportunity to cut costs, reduce CO2 and reach their environmental responsibilities with its new Powerstar Amorphous core transformers, which are available for new and used machine tools. Despite the initial cost being slightly higher than conventional transformers, over 10 years, the new Powerstar Amorphous core transformers yield an average saving of £25,500 with a CO2 emission reduction of almost 40,000 kg. Multiplying this saving by the number of machine tools on the shop floor means the cost reduction can be significant.

For further information www.engtechgroup.com

This year, Leeds manufacturer and supplier of standard parts and machine accessories, WDS Components Ltd, celebrates its 70th anniversary. Supplying industries around the world, the company says that the key to its success is a focus on product quality, fast availability and competitive pricing. Furthermore, retaining its manufacturing operations in Britain has helped WDS to retain the trust of its long-standing customers. Today, WDS supplies OEMs, end users and engineers with standard parts and machine accessories, as well as jigs and fixtures, hydraulic lifts and clamps, and broaching and production equipment.

For further information
www.wdscomponents.com