A West Midlands industrialist has launched Blanford Fox Business Improvement to help firms navigate their way through COVID-19 and target new growth opportunities.

David Fox plans to use his 50 years’ experience in manufacturing to help bosses come to terms with the global challenges brought on by the pandemic. He is urging companies to avoid a number of common mistakes that usually occur during downturns, such as cutting sales and marketing budgets. Fox is planning to offer one-to-one coaching to CEOs, MDs and senior executives, and can bring in a team of hand-picked associates to support on specific projects.
For further information www.blanfordfox.co.uk

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is partnering with robotics manufacturer Tharsus to support the roll-out of wearable technology that will help social distancing in the workplace.

Known as ‘Bump’, the system uses wearable and static devices operating on radio frequencies to alert wearers when they are getting too close to another person. Bump aims at improving personal distance behaviour by recording the interactions between devices. The system can also be used by employers to monitor interactions.
For further information www.tharsus.co.uk/about/bump

Two precision engineering specialists were recognised for their commitment to quality and delivery performance last month as the Farnborough International Airshow went ‘virtual’.

Arrowsmith Engineering and TGM, both part of the £43m Aero Services Global Group (AS.G), were given the SC21 Silver and SC21 Bronze awards respectively for their ongoing ability to manufacture complex components for customers supplying some of the world’s largest airplane manufacturers and primes. The awards are a critical performance indicator for the sector and have helped the two manufacturers secure over £3.5m of new contracts during the past 12 months.
AS.G has made a commitment that all of its companies will work towards some form of SC21 involvement. This decision will immediately see the recently acquired AMF Precision Engineering start the journey, and German-based Ludolph target the SC21 Operational Excellence Award.
For further information
www.arrowsmitheng.co.uk www.tgmeng.co.uk

Transvalor, a software developer in manufacturing process modelling, has joined the University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), as a tier-one partner.

The first partner to join the AFRC in support of its soon to be opened FutureForge facility, Transvalor provides process simulation expertise and deep insight into material behaviour resulting from manufacturing processes. This new relationship will provide France-based Transvalor with new opportunities for applied research activities and access to a range of industrial partners.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk

Although the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown saw the market for subcontracting fall by an unprecedented 56% in the second quarter of 2020, the latest Qimtek Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) indicates that June showed signs of recovery.

The CMI for Q2 2020 stood at 49, compared with 112 in Q1 2020. The baseline figure of 100 represents the average value of the subcontract manufacturing market between 2014 and 2018.
Commenting on the figures, Qimtek owner Karl Wigart says: “While business was obviously down during the months of April and May, when both machining and fabrication were hit hard, things started to pick up in June. We anticipate a continuing improvement in the third quarter as buyers have told us they are looking at new projects, carrying out complete reviews of their preferred suppliers, and reshoring manufacturing. All in all, the outlook appears to be positive for those UK subcontractors that are in a position to take advantage.”
For further information www.qimtek.co.uk