Alloy Wire International (AWI), which supplies more than 60 different nickel alloys, secured over £1.2m of sales in January.

In total, the company shipped 339 individual orders to customers in 27 different countries. This performance equated to AWI’s best ever month in 73 years of trading. Boosted by a new quoting system, the company has seen demand for its wire emanate from clients in the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and nuclear sectors, with many citing AWI’s three-week lead times as being crucial to their manufacturing operations. A significant proportion of new work has come from the EU.
For further information www.alloywire.com

A Shropshire company is embarking on ambitious growth plans to boost its £11.4m annual sales by 15%, with the potential of creating 30 new jobs in 2019.

Corbetts the galvanizers, one of the UK’s longest established hot-dip galvanizers, is looking to build on significant investment in new equipment and a number of senior appointments to target opportunities in the agricultural, transport infrastructure, street furniture and utilities markets. Despite a challenging year due to rising zinc costs, the Halesfield-based firm has managed to secure a number of new contracts that are making the most of the larger galvanizing kettle it installed in late 2017.
For further information www.wcorbett.co.uk

A UK manufacturer of electro-mechanical motion control systems, LG Motion, has updated its in-house machining capability with the arrival of three machines from XYZ Machine Tools.

The investment includes two SMX 3500 ProtoTrak bed mills, which have been brought in to replace two older machines. The nature of the work is generally small batches and bespoke systems, so quick changeover is very important. Moreover, with their increased spindle-speed capability and ISO 40 taper connection, the bed mills are improving cycle times and component quality. A third machine, a ProTurn SLX 425 lathe will also target productivity improvements.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Lotus and Williams Advanced Engineering have commenced a strategic technical partnership in which the companies will share R&D into advanced propulsion technologies.

Phil Popham, CEO at Lotus Cars, says: “Our new technology partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering is part of a strategy to expand our knowledge and capability in the rapidly changing automotive landscape. Applying advanced propulsion powertrains can provide numerous exciting solutions across multiple vehicle sectors.”
For further information www.williamsf1.com

To accelerate the adoption of laser powder bed fusion technology for series production, Renishaw has expanded its network of AM (additive manufacturing) Solutions Centres.

Newly created facilities in Barcelona and Turin are now operational to allow companies in Spain and Italy to access Renishaw’s equipment and expertise at a fixed and predictable cost. Launched in 2016, Renishaw’s AM Solutions Centres provide businesses with a secure development environment to build their knowledge and confidence using 3D printing technology. The facilities are equipped with the latest AM systems, including Renishaw’s multi-laser machines.
For further information www.renishaw.com