Visitors to the recent 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham had the chance to see the latest in high-tech manufacturing thanks to an augmented reality (AR) scheme created by the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the University of Birmingham. Games visitors could access the technology via a QR code that took them into an AR world demonstrating how it is possible to develop factories and industrial spaces digitally before spending a penny on manufacturing equipment. Using a PTC software program called Vuforia, users could experience a 21st century manufacturing environment in a virtual world.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

With effect from the start of August 2022, Graham Cherry is the UK sales manager of WH-Lead, the sole sales and service agent in the British and Irish markets for the Taiwanese-built Leadwell range of vertical machining centres and CNC lathes. An established figure in the machine tool industry, Cherry has spent recent decades progressing through numerous well-known machine tool subsidiaries and agencies, always in sales and marketing roles. He also has experience of the carbide cutting tool industry.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me to bring my long experience of CNC technology, particularly five-axis prismatic machining, to promoting and selling the Leadwell brand,” says Cherry. “Everything is in place to allow that to happen, including six new machines in stock in Towcester, with more on the way, alongside good applications engineering support and excellent service.”
For further information www.wh-lead.co.uk

One of the UK’s leading metals service centres is targeting further growth after it secured one of the automotive sector’s most demanding quality accreditations. William King Ltd, which specialises in high-tensile steel, aluminium, light gauge processing, electrical steels and niche metal coatings, received the Jaguar Land Rover JLRQ Award in front of 150 staff at its Atlas Centre facility in West Bromwich.

Andrew McClure, global supplier technical assistance director at JLR, made the presentation in recognition of the company’s outstanding performance over the past year where it has achieved world-class ‘right first time’ and ‘on-time in-full’ delivery scores. It marks the culmination of a £12m investment drive by the firm over the past five years that has seen William King introduce a new press blanking line, slitting facility and stacker, helping it take on new work and create and safeguard more than 50 jobs.

“We’ve been working towards the JLRQ standard for some time, overcoming the additional challenges of Covid-19 to demonstrate consistent quality, cost and on-time delivery,” explains Rachel Graville, who is the fourth generation managing director of family-owned William King.

She adds: “Quality has always been central to the way we operate, so a lot of the building blocks we needed for the award were already there, we just had to focus a little more on standardising processes, implementing a clearer continuous improvement strategy and bolstering training for all staff. Not only have we delivered world-class performance, we have done so against the positive backdrop of a rising order book with JLR, whom we now supply both in the UK and Slovakia.”
For further information www.williamking.co.uk

Unprecedented business growth at Walter GB has led the cutting tool manufacturer to restructure its external teams to support a surge in post-pandemic sales. The restructure at the Bromsgrove company has seen three new field sales engineers employed to strengthen the existing sales structure and deliver enhanced customer service and support as the company continues its growth trajectory. The three new recruits, John Rutherford, Ian Hill and John Hawkins, will serve to drive more sales and further enhance customer support initiatives.
For further information www.walter-tools.com