Photochemical etching specialist Precision Micro has announced that it will recruit the largest-ever number of local school leavers to its apprenticeship scheme this autumn. Located in Birmingham, with a 44,000 sq ft manufacturing plant, Precision Micro will take on 10 new apprentices this year, more than trebling the number of available apprenticeship placements from its typical annual intake. The four-year placements are open to students between 16 and 21, and will provide successful applicants with a holistic experience across all of its business departments.

For further information
www.bit.ly/3MFHadi

Due to unprecedented growth in the sales of Cincom sliding-head and Miyano fixed-head turning centres, which has doubled Citizen Machinery UK’s turnover since 2016, the company has increased the number of its area sales managers from five to six. Consequently, two promotions have been made within the existing business. Simon Fitzpatrick will serve Ireland, Scotland and territories in the north of England, while James Taylor will look after the southwest. At the same time, Tony Nolloth has been appointed UK & Ireland sales manager to coordinate the activities of all sales territories.

For further information
www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

The return to the MACH exhibition last month proved to be a resounding success for plasma and oxy-fuel cutting machine specialist Kerf Developments, which witnessed record enquiry levels and even recorded two machine orders. Sales director Craig Walsh says: “Visitor numbers were consistently high throughout the week and of a good standard. There were certainly manufacturers looking to invest in the latest productivity tools and this resulted in two machine sales at the show with many more manufacturers planning to place orders in the coming weeks.”

For further information
www.kerfdevelopments.com

Amada Co Ltd of Japan has appointed Paul Mansfield to the position of managing director and COO at Amada UK Ltd. With almost 25 years of service at the company, Mansfield is well known to staff and customers throughout Europe and brings extensive knowledge and management experience to the role. The new position will run concurrently with his existing role as COO of Amada Maquinaria Ibérica in Spain. Mansfield succeeds Steve Basford, who remains with the company as a special advisor, focussing on customer relations. Amada UK continues its 50th anniversary celebrations this year with a two-week exhibition starting on 27 June.

For further information
www.amada.eu

FourJaw, which offers a manufacturing data analytics platform that the company says can unlock five-fold increases in shop-floor productivity, has secured a second round of angel investment and Innovate UK funding. Worth £1m, the funding will further accelerate FourJaw’s growth and support high-value-added manufacturers across the country. FourJaw secured the investment with support from many within the UK investor community, notably NorthInvest and SFC Capital, along with a substantial six-figure grant from Innovate UK, to help develop next-level data analytics tools for SME manufacturers.

For further information
www.fourjaw.com