UK NEWS

McLaren Racing 3D prints 9000 parts a year

Formula One team McLaren Racing is responding to tighter vehicle production time and budget limits from the FIA by 3D printing tens of thousands of parts with large, next-generation Neo800 stereolithography 3D printers from Stratasys. McLaren is winning the ‘race before the race’ by producing up to 9000 parts per year across numerous front and rear wing programmes, as well as large parts of the side bodywork and top body. The race team reports big strides in optimising vehicle aerodynamics during wind tunnel testing thanks to the accuracy of the parts printed on its five Neo800 systems.
For further information www.stratasys.com

Good things come to those that wait

Having had his name drawn at MACH 2022 as the winner of the Ceratizit UK & Ireland draw for a £6000 Hope HB130 mountain bike, Dave Buchan finally got to collect his prize at Hope Technology’s headquarters in Barnoldswick. Buchan had to delay collecting his prize due to work-related pressures at Havant-based subcontrator Monolution, where he works as a programmer, setter and operator. He received his Hope HB130 from Lee Pinhorne, Ceratizit UK & Ireland’s technical sales engineer for the south of England. Hope Technology has a long-standing partnership with Ceratizit UK & Ireland.
For further information www.ceratizit.com

MTC signs up 3M

Global science-based technology manufacturer 3M has become the latest company to join the Manufacturing Technology Centre. 3M operates 97 manufacturing and converting facilities in 35 countries. The company employs 2150 people in the UK across 15 locations, including six manufacturing sites producing abrasives, personal safety equipment and adhesive tapes. 3M has been working alongside the MTC since 2018 on a number of different projects and as part of its membership, is expecting to focus on utilising manufacturing technology and application to abrasive and adhesive systems.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

MAN Group creates 50 new jobs

A unique collective of manufacturers is embarking on a major recruitment drive after a string of reshoring wins and new breakthroughs in electrification technology. The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which comprises eight subcontract manufacturers and a specialist engineering design agency, has more than 50 different vacancies currently up for grabs and is urging people to come forward to make the most of the opportunities.

Roles range from SMT quality technicians and casting experts to technical sales and CNC machine setters, with firms also placing their faith in the future by investing in a host of interns and apprentices. Peter Davies, CEO of James Lister & Sons and co-chair of the MAN Group, says: “Despite all of the economic challenges out of our control, UK manufacturing is really buoyant at the moment and there are lots of opportunities out there for firms who are delivering new innovations and world-class performance.”
For further information www.man-group.co.uk/careers

New leadership team at Ficep UK

Ficep UK has appointed three directors with 38 years’ combined experience of working at the company. Finance director Pam Allen, sales director Chris Berriman and operations director Richard Clark, now take responsibility for the management of Ficep UK – a steel fabrication machinery supplier – along with existing company director and group CEO, Christian Colombo. The move follows the departure of Ficep UK founder and MD Mark Jones, who stepped down in July after 23 years leading the business. Jones takes on a new role as non-executive director, for a short period.
For further information www.ficep.co.uk