UK NEWS

ETG brings Axile brand to UK and Ireland

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) is expanding its portfolio with the addition of the Axile brand of machine tools, for which the company is now the exclusive UK and Ireland technology partner. From a machine perspective, the company will be introducing the Axile G Series of gantry-type vertical machining centres and the DC series of double-column five-axis vertical machining centres that demonstrate high rigidity for the heavy-duty cutting of lengthy workpieces. There is also a complete range of options available for mill-turning with the MT versions of the machines.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

UKBIC to build £36m FIL

The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC), the UK’s national battery manufacturing scale-up facility, has secured £36m in funding for the facility’s new flexible industrialisation line (FIL.)The new line will bridge the gap between UKBIC’s volume industrialisation line (VIL) and existing kilogram-scale demonstrator lines available elsewhere.Construction of the new line is set to get underway in September, with the equipment coming online during 2025.The line will provide battery developers with a cost-effective route to market, without having to take cell development outside of the UK.
For further information www.ukbic.co.uk

Master Abrasives becomes Supfina distributor

Midlands-based Master Abrasives is now an authorised distributor in the UK and Ireland for Supfina, a Germany-headquartered specialist in superfinishing and grinding machines.Ian Meredith, Master Abrasives’ applications engineering manager, explains: “Whether it is low-volume attachments or complete machining solutions with automation, we will work together with customers to review the existing production structure and meet any improvement requirements. This now includes solutions from Supfina for superfinishing, precision grinding, attachments and automation.”
For further information www.master-abrasives.co.uk

Citizen Machinery appoints new sales engineer

Based in Tyne and Wear and with 25 years’ experience in the machine tool sector, Eric Tollett is now a Citizen Machinery UK area sales engineer for territories in northeast England, where he will be responsible for sales Cincom sliding-head and Miyano fixed-head lathes, and related automation solutions. “I regard this as a great opportunity to work for a premier Japanese lathe manufacturer with a strong reputation for producing high-end machines and fully integrated production solutions,” says Tollett. Citizen Machinery UK has also increased the number of sales territories around the UK from five to six.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

MGP funding comes to a close

One of the UK’s most successful industrial business support programmes comes to an end this month after helping the manufacturing sector to create or safeguard 12,435 jobs since 2016.The Manufacturing Growth Programme (MGP), designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, will see funding from the European Regional Development Fund end and is now urging the Government and local authorities to ensure the quick placement of tailored advice for manufacturing SMEs.

MGP’s final report revealed that over 95% of companies surveyed expected their business to grow in the next five years after receiving support from the programme, with 63% identifying the development of new products as a key area. In addition, 63% said they had already seen an increase in turnover, while 52% cited improved productivity as the main outcome of support received.
For further information www.oxfordinnovationadvice.co.uk