The development of a new powder coating process for parts destined for electric vehicles is set to deliver a £1m boost for a Kent-based manufacturer. HV Wooding, which specialises in providing precision engineered metal components for the automotive and aerospace sectors, is working with materials and engineering researchers from the Nuclear AMRC and the University of Sheffield to improve the quality of its busbars. Supported by Innovate UK through the Faraday Battery Challenge, the project focuses on investigating and developing alternative coating methods that will improve busbar performance and integrity.

For further information
www.hvwooding.co.uk

Many manufacturers have a desire to take advantage of laser marking, however, purchasing the laser marking system is sometimes difficult to justify. The production of prototype parts, high-value/low-volume manufacturing, personalisation, traceability and branding are just a few of the reasons why TLM Laser now offers a subcontract laser marking service from its Bromsgrove base in the West Midlands. As the UK and Ireland distributor for a number of laser marking system manufacturers, including FOBA Laser and Universal Laser Systems, customers can rely on the quality of systems used to mark their products.

For further information
www.tlm-laser.com

The Manufacturing Technology Centre has launched a suite of online courses to help manufacturing SMEs join the digital revolution sweeping through industry. ‘Practical Steps to Digitalising Your Manufacturing Business’ is a three-part certificate that intends to help UK manufacturers embrace the latest digital technologies and improve their businesses.

The CPD-accredited course – designed by the MTC’s digital manufacturing and SME experts – will introduce participants to new strategies, exploiting the wide range of digital manufacturing technologies already available or coming on stream.

For further information www.the-mtc.org

Yamazaki Mazak is supporting a charity arts festival this summer in Worcester, the home of its European manufacturing plant. The machine tool manufacturer is sponsoring one of 66 elephant sculptures that first appeared in the city’s streets and public spaces on 12 July as part of Worcester’s Big Parade. After eight weeks on display, the elephants will be sold to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice, a Worcester-based organisation that cares for adults with serious progressive illnesses. The Big Parade follows in the footsteps of the Worcester Stands Tall giraffe trail in 2018, which raised £210,000 for St Richard’s Hospice.

For further information
www.worcestersbigparade.co.uk

Forterro, a European provider of ERP software solutions to more than 7000 mid-market production companies, has acquired UK-based 123 Insight Ltd, a provider of MRP/ERP SaaS solutions for manufacturers of all sizes. The acquisition of 123 Insight – Forterro’s ninth in Europe since 2011 and first in the UK – marks an important strategic milestone for Forterro, giving the group its initial footprint in one of Europe’s top industrial production markets. Guy Amoroso and Craig Grant, co-founders of 123 Insight, will continue to support the business in the short-term, with the backing of their existing management team.

For further information www.123insight.com