SL Engineering chosen for SiG

Sharing in Growth (SiG) has selected rapidly growing Lincolnshire-based engineering firm SL Engineering to join its award-winning aerospace productivity programme.

SL Engineering, based near Grantham, produces rigid tube assemblies, complex fuel manifolds, core engine pipes and flexi-metallic rigid pipes. The company has experienced 87% growth in the past three years, particularly from aerospace, where its customers include Rolls-Royce, Eaton Aerospace, Safran Aerosystems, Kawasaki, and GKN. To continue this rapid growth and help increase its turnover from almost £6m to over £12m by 2023, the company applied for SiG’s support.
For further information www.sig-uk.org

Promotion at In-Comm

In-Comm Training, a West Midlands training provider, has appointed a new director as it looks to capitalise on recent investment and a record year of performance.

The company, which supported more than 2500 people with apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities in 2018, has promoted Chris Reeves to operations director, overseeing the further expansion of its academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury. As a former member of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Reeves joins directors Colin Mills, Geoff Jones and Bekki Phillips on the senior management team.
For further information www.in-comm.co.uk

Schunk adds to sales team

Schunk has welcomed a new area sales manager to its expanding UK team.

As the latest addition to the sales force, Jason Hardwidge will be covering the East Midlands area. Hardwidge is a self-motivated sales professional with a strong engineering background. With 15 years in the industry, he has worked with a number of engineering and cutting-tool manufacturers, and will be a welcome and experienced addition to support the company’s ongoing growth. Hardwidge will now start servicing the variety of requests that Schunk receives from customers in the run up to EMO, MACH 2020 and beyond.
For further information www.schunk.com

ETG acquires HK Holdings

The Engineering Technology Group (ETG) has acquired HK Holdings and all of its subsidiaries from the Pexion Group.

As a result, ETG is now able to offer its client base a single-source solution for CNC machining, wire EDM machines and 3D-printing systems. For instance, the acquisition gives ETG access to brands in additive manufacturing that include 3D Systems and Markforged. On the EDM side, ETG will now sell the latest Mitsubishi and OPS-Ingersoll machines.
“We had two choices: look to take on additional principals and agree new distribution agreements, or purchase a company that is already established in the sector and can boast immediate access to world-class brands and a host of technical expertise with their current staff,” says Martin Doyle, managing director of ETG. “Pexion Group is a key account for ETG, with multiple CNC machines installed across its group of companies. We knew Pexion was reviewing how to develop HK Holdings, so decided we would approach them about the possibility of integrating it into our business.”
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Dugard to exhibit Hanwha cobots

The Dugard range of Hanwha collaborative robots is making another appearance at Robotics and Automation, the only dedicated exhibition of its type in the UK.

This year, the show will take place on 29-30 October at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, where Dugard will be found on stand number 412. Dugard has been the sole UK distributor of Hanwha collaborative robots (cobots) for about a year now and has seen interest rise steadily since last summer. Developed and produced in South Korea, Hanwha HCR cobots can generate savings in operating costs, and are easy to install and run, says Dugard.
For further information www.dugard.com