A £50m state-of-the-art facility for creating cleaner mobility has opened in Coventry, giving a major boost to the UK automotive industry.

The Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS), a collaboration between Coventry University and global engineering specialist FEV Group, is looking to harness cutting-edge academic and commercial expertise to support the development of next-generation electric, hybrid and combustion engines. The capabilities will be available to OEMs, SMEs in the supply chain, as well as technology partners keen to accelerate the creation of new propulsion systems.
For further information www.coventry.ac.uk/c-alps

In-Comm Training, which has facilities in the Black Country and Shropshire, says it has more than 280 apprenticeship opportunities currently available and is urging companies and young people to engage.

Gareth Jones, joint managing director, made the rallying call last week and believes there are still lots of individuals looking to get involved in engineering and manufacturing who are not taking advantage of the world-class training centres on their doorstep.
“Currently, we have 280 positions vacant at our three academies, and these are for part and full-time trailblazer courses that culminate with a job at a local manufacturer,” he says. “This means you can learn from the best trainers, on the best equipment and get paid for it, with our partners at the University of Wolverhampton also offering a pathway to a degree – all without the associated debt. That’s a £100,000 opportunity. Current vacancies range from apprenticeships in machining and maintenance, to mechatronics and welding.”
For further information www.in-comm.co.uk

On 9 May Schunk will be hosting a customer innovation day in collaboration with cutting-tool specialist Walter at the AMRC’s Knowledge Transfer Centre (KTC) in Sheffield.

The event is an opportunity for manufacturers specialising in the aerospace sector to witness best-practice five-axis work holding and machining via presentations and practical shop-floor demonstrations.
As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), the KTC is a leading establishment for high-value manufacturing events and therefore the ideal setting for two technology brands to present their latest aerospace innovations. The event will open from 09:30. Numbers are limited, so to avoid disappointment contact Schunk to book a place.
For further information www.gb.schunk.com

Consistent year-on-year growth, a record 2018 and a strong order book for 2019 has seen Romi Machines UK take on two new regional sales managers.

The company has appointed John Hawkins for the Midlands, North and Scotland, while Wales, the south of the UK and Ireland will be serviced by David Balfour. Hawkins has been in the industry for over 25 years, starting his career as an apprentice and working his way up to the position of production engineer and service engineer with a number of companies. Balfour is also a time-served apprentice, starting his engineering career almost 40 years ago. His time in machine tool sales has taken in extended periods with vendors of both cost-effective machine tools as well as high-end technology solution providers.
For further information www.romiuk.com

Citizen Machinery has opened a centre of excellence on a 1.1 acre site at Hurst Business Park in Brierley Hill, West Midlands.

A showroom, international conference area, customer training school, applications engineering department and administrative offices are housed within. The company will hold an open house at the facility for customers on 14-16 May.
Additional personnel – boosting the current headcount of 54 – are being recruited to work in the new centre, including staff for software development, applications engineering and machine servicing. These employees will be in addition to four people already working at a pre-existing building nearby, the former home of Miyano UK before the merger, which will remain a satellite facility as forward orders are so high that space will be needed to prepare installations.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk