The team at Quickgrind has expanded with the appointment of Mark Aspinall, who joins the cutting-tool manufacturer as its new technical support manager for the northwest.

Aspinall has more than 30 years of manufacturing experience, moving from an apprentice toolmaker and CNC machinist, through manufacturing engineering and leadership roles with prominent aerospace manufacturers like BAE Systems and Safran Nacelles. For the past three years Aspinall has put this experience into training apprentices at Training 2000 Ltd.
For further information www.quickgrind.com

A total of 11 jobs are being created at one of the Black Country’s fastest growing foundries after it announced a number of contract wins.

Midland Pressure Diecasting (MPD) is looking to recruit four casters, four manufacturing operatives and three linishers as part of expansion plans that will help it target sales of £5m by the end of the year. The extra staff will take the total workforce up to 60 and give MPD the required capacity to deliver the volumes generated by the new business wins, which include a £100,000 contract for lighting sector components.
Due to the increasing workload, the company has just completed the first phase of its new factory layout, which will boost productivity. This work has included the movement of plant and machinery to create a better flow and the installation of energy-efficient lighting. MPD also recently purchased a Doosan CNC vertical machining centre and new spark eroder to help with growing demand from clients looking to re-shore due to quality issues from overseas suppliers.
For further information http://midlandpressurediecasting.co.uk/

The advanced manufacturing research centre (AMRC) under construction in Broughton will be officially known as AMRC Cymru, the Minister for Economy and North Wales Ken Skates has announced. Construction is progressing well on the centre, which will provide a new level of support to business and facilitate collaboration between industry, academic partners and entrepreneurs.

The Welsh Government has invested £20m in the centre, which has confirmed Airbus as the first major tenant. AMRC Cymru is scheduled to be completed in the autumn and it is predicted that the Welsh economy could see seen an increase in GVA of up to £4bn.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Mabey Holdings Ltd has concluded the sale of Mabey Bridge Ltd’s modular bridging business to Acrow Bridge, an international bridge engineering and supply company.

The sale’s structure includes all employees in the modular bridge team and the manufacturing site in Lydney, Gloucestershire. Both companies will continue to operate under their own brands. Mabey Bridge and Acrow Bridge have shared a similar mission, to accelerate construction through pre-engineered modular bridging solutions that help develop, improve and repair essential infrastructure in urban and rural areas. Financial terms are not being disclosed.
For further information www.mabey.com

KraussMaffei Berstorff is planning for the future and will build a new plant for extrusion technology.

At the beginning of June 2019, the company signed a rental contract with VGP, a project developer for commercial real estate, thus firing the starting shot for the approximately 55,000 sq m production hall and office complex. Work for the plant in the Laatzen/Rethen Ost business park should be completed by the end of 2022. The new location will have a technical centre, production and office facilities, and provide space for up to 750 employees.
For further information www.kraussmaffeiberstorff.com