Houghton International, an innovator in the field of electromechanical asset repair, maintenance and life extension, competed against companies from across the UK to secure two accolades at the Make UK National Awards. The company won SME Manufacturer of the Year and came runner-up in the Developing Future Talent category. Michael Mitten, CEO of Houghton International, says: “Taking home not one, but two national accolades is testament to our positive, innovation-led culture, excellent people, and the way we go about our business with integrity at the heart of all we do.”

For further information www.houghton-international.com

KMF Group’s annual awards celebrated the best of its young engineers, with eight awards handed out. This year, the event was held at KMF’s head office with apprentices and staff invited in person, while parents and guardians were able to watch on a live stream from home. This year’s winner of the big prize, Josh Clewlow (20), Level 3 apprentice and KMF ‘Apprentice of the Year’, says: “I didn’t think I’d win but it’s great to have been chosen. It’s an amazing apprenticeship that challenges you and helps you to learn and grow. I hope to stay on at KMF after my apprenticeship and want to progress to management eventually.”

For further information
https://is.gd/onozev

A Preston-based business is teeing-up to revolutionise the golf-club industry, working with the University of Sheffield’s AMRC North West to explore design options and prototyping for its innovative high-end golf clubs. The AMRC produced CAD options for FGX Sports and manufactured a 3D-printed prototype. Golf manufacturing is usually a long and expensive process that does not lend itself to the creation of prototypes, so this was a faster and more efficient way to test the design. The project was all about accelerating the design cycle and providing support to shorten time-to-market.

For further information
www.amrc.co.uk

A digital manufacturer is setting its sights on significant opportunities after it secured a prestigious supplier accreditation for the aerospace, security, space and defence industries.

Having supported the sector for several years, Protolabs now enjoys official recognition as a fully compliant and credible supplier to major businesses within the associated industries.

JOSCAR (Joint Supply Chain Accreditation Register) is valued by many of the largest purchasers in the aforementioned sectors, including BAE Systems, NATS, Rolls Royce, Airbus and the Ministry of Defence.

For further information www.protolabs.co.uk

New opportunities in transport, medical and warehousing/logistics are helping one of the West Midlands’ fastest growing manufacturers record its best-ever year. PP Control & Automation, which employs 230 people at its factory in Cheslyn Hay, is on course to post £28m sales for the past 12 months, with a future order pipeline suggesting further growth is on the horizon. The strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialist has seen demand for its services rise by 25% on the previous year, with bosses at the firm believing this is due to a combination of reshoring back to the UK and a desire for greater security of supply.

For further information www.ppcanda.com