Lontra, a Midlands-based specialist in engineering, manufacturing and digital services, has named Blyth-based Universal Wolf as manufacturing partner for its Blade Compressor enclosures.

With production due to start this month, the deal is expected to scale over time to many millions of pounds per annum for Lontra’s Northumberland-based partner. Lontra’s Blade Compressor is said to be the first clean-sheet compressor design in over 80 years, and can be used across a variety of engineering-based sectors, including aerospace and automotive.

For further information www.lontra.co.uk

The Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS) training centre is celebrating its one-year anniversary as the first learners at the state-of-the-art Culham-based facility begin their on-the-job training.

OAS, based at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon, offers high-quality training for apprentice engineers and technicians at technology businesses in the Thames Valley. The facility has already delivered training to over 90 learners working for more than 20 local businesses, and the team has ambitious plans for the next 12 months.

For further information www.oas.ukaea.uk

According to new research, creating a greener aerospace sector is key to the industry bouncing back from COVID-19.

The second part of Protolabs’ Horizon Shift report, which involved aerospace business leaders from across Europe, reveals that more than three quarters of firms (77%) expect environmental credibility to become a key differentiator moving forward, while 72% indicate that new materials will be the driving force in lowering emissions and making air travel cleaner.

In addition, 65% believe investment in innovation that reduces emissions should continue despite the pandemic, with 42% now transforming their supply chains as part of the drive to cut down CO2 output. The latest survey, which was conducted as a follow-up to an initial report of 325 executives taken in February and March, presents a unique insight into the sector, particularly with regard to what has changed as a result of the pandemic.

For further information www.protolabs.co.uk

Leading companies representing some of the biggest brand names in UK and European manufacturing will come together for a major conference next month which aims to celebrate and reflect upon the contribution of the sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The inaugural Festival of Manufacturing Excellence (FOME 2020) will take place virtually over two-days on 7-8 October and is open to attendees from across the world. It is being curated and delivered by The Manufacturing Institute (TMI), a UK-based support body that delivers specialist training, leadership development and on-site consultancy.

For further information www.festivalofmanufacturingexcellence.co.uk

The Government is investing £147m in the Manufacturing Made Smarter challenge with the aim of transforming UK manufacturing capabilities through the development and adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs).

This investment will raise productivity by 30%, accelerate the drive to net zero emissions and create thousands of highly skilled jobs. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through Innovate UK, the Government’s innovation agency, has already awarded the challenge its first investment package of £20m to 14 projects in round 1.

For further information www.ukri.org