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

A young female engineering apprentice is celebrating after being named as one of the top 50 women engineers in the UK.

Abbie Beaver, 17, became the first female trade apprentice taken on by West Midlands multi-disciplinary engineering firm, the ADI Group, when she joined last September. The teenager had already completed ADI’s two-year pre-apprentice scheme aimed at inspiring local GCSE students to consider a career in engineering. Now she has been recognised by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) after exceeding expectations in her current role.
For further information www.adiltd.co.uk

Manufacturers from across the West Midlands are joining forces to help inspire the engineers of the future at a special event.

The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which comprises eight subcontract manufacturers and an engineering design agency, is putting on its second ‘Design and Make’ day, a unique opportunity for year 11 and year 12 students to spend a day getting first-hand experience of engineering, problem-solving and working as part of a team. The day will be held on 10 July at the Warwick Manufacturing Group.
Teams of four pupils will be invited to tackle the demanding brief that will involve designing and making a mechanical device (details revealed on the day) using just basic tools and materials. The teams are offered support from MAN member apprentices and encouraged to develop their ideas through trial and analysis. Each device is then tested by a qualified panel of engineers, with prizes awarded to the schools in three different categories: efficiency, innovation and manufacturing. The winning schools will be presented with a 3D printer from CREATE Education.
For further information www.man-group.co.uk