Bowers Group has joined the Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC), a not-for-profit organisation that is headquartered at the Silverstone racing circuit in Northamptonshire.

The cluster has been backed by the UK government and highlights a market of untapped potential. As part of its membership, Bowers Group has also been invited to join the Silverstone Metrology Special Interest Group (SIG).The aim of the group is to help accelerate technological development through metrology, leading to a rise in awareness, collaboration and the sharing of best practice.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

Reading-based machining subcontractor Rodmatic has invested in a new production control system from PSL Datatrack to provide more effective management of its business, particularly with regard to production processes and customer service.

“We wanted a solution from a supplier that could understand the needs of a subcontract engineering business,” says Martin Wilson, general manager at Rodmatic. “As a BTMA Technical Member, we knew that PSL Datatrack had expertise and a good track record in our sector.”
For further information www.psldatatrack.com

Helix Tool, an independent cutting tools specialist, has entered into a partnership with MRO+ Solutions and Cairngorm Capital Partners, to help it become a national player in the UK cutting tools market.

Headquartered in Leeds, the company currently employs 17 staff. The partnership offers Helix the strategic opportunity to increase market share, diversify the industries that it serves, and grow and extend its relationships with suppliers. As a result, the company will be able to scale its business and broaden customer experience. Charles and Louise Robinson will continue to lead Helix going forward.
For further information www.helixtools.co.uk

Despite a high degree of volatility from month to month and process to process, the overall value of the UK contract manufacturing market held steady in the third quarter of 2018.

Qimtek’s Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) for the quarter was 223, just 1.3% down on the previous quarter and 3.7% up on the equivalent period in 2017. The baseline figure of 100 represents the value of the subcontract market in 2014 when the CMI was launched.
Behind the headline figure there were major movements in the make-up of the market. Fabrication, which had been in the ascendancy and represented 56% of the market in the previous quarter, had dropped by 27% and now represents 43% of the market. Machining on the other hand, which had dropped to 35% of the total, rose by 23.4% and currently represents 44% of the market. This appears to signal a reversal of the trend in the previous quarter of companies bringing more machining back in-house.
For further information www.qimtek.co.uk