HK Technologies has named a new managing director to help the company capitalise on its recent acquisition by ETG.

Gareth Jones, who spent 11 years with In-Comm Training, has been recruited to help the additive manufacturing, EDM and laser-marking specialist increase sales by 20%. Jones will also be responsible for long-term strategic planning across the group, as well as using his ability to forge strategic partnerships throughout industry that might open up new markets. “The acquisition gives us a fantastic opportunity to cross-sell and add value to ETG clients and vice-versa, potentially opening up a whole new market for both companies,” he says.
For further information www.hkhtechnologies.com

Production control software specialist Tricorn is launching a second UK office at this year’s Northern Manufacturing exhibition in Manchester on 2-3 October.

Tricorn, which provides production control software for manufacturing SMEs, will be exhibiting at the show for the first time. The new office will be based at Daresbury Innovation Park, in Cheshire, and include a team equipped to service new clients, including sales, marketing and support staff. Tricorn will be promoting the launch on Stand D32.
For further information https://www.tricorn.tech/

Scottish Government funding of £3.4m has been awarded to help build the world’s most powerful floating tidal turbine.

Scottish engineering company Orbital Marine Power has been awarded the money as the first recipient of the Scottish Government’s £10m Saltire Tidal Energy Challenge Fund. The funding will be used to deliver the next-generation O2 2 MW floating tidal energy turbine, which will be capable of powering more than 1700 homes a year. Of particular note, the O2 project will demonstrate how this emerging industrial sector has the ability to deliver new jobs, while pioneering solutions for a zero carbon future.
For further information https://orbitalmarine.com/

Flexiform, a UK designer and manufacturer of office furniture is increasing its production capacity by 40% and will improve productivity by a quarter with the help of experts from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

As a result, the company, which has been manufacturing office furniture in the UK for more than 40 years, will be able to satisfy its fast-growing order book without the need for a significant and costly expansion to its manufacturing facility.
An SME team from the MTC’s Manufacturing Support Services operations, based in Coventry and Liverpool, worked with managers and operators from Flexiform, helping them develop a plan which increases capacity by 40%, with an additional surge capacity of 20%, without increasing site footprint. Furthermore, the multi-million pound investment, together with changes in working practices, will help increase productivity by 25%, with a significant reduction in operational lead time.
For further information www.the-mtc.org

A 159-year-old Telford-based manufacturer has invested £105,000 into making sure its customers receive products when they need them most.

Boosted by a recent £300,000 contract haul, Corbetts the Galvanizers has purchased two MAN TGX articulated lorries to take its fleet of vehicles to 10 artics, three rigids and 25 trailers – all complete with the firm’s new corporate identity. This means the company, which specialises in hot-dip galvanised parts, now collects and delivers 95% of material through its own trucks.
For further information https://wcorbett.co.uk/