UK NEWS

Ford Bridgend begins new engine build

Production has now begun of an all-new, fuel-efficient petrol engine at Ford’s Bridgend engine plant in Wales.The three-cylinder, 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, which debuts in the Fiesta ST and all-new Focus, is built on a new, flexible manufacturing facility following of an investment of £100m, including support from the Welsh Government.Quality confirmation of the new engine is assured through multi-stage testing and process monitoring. Machining lines for the cylinder head and cylinder block feature the latest CNC technology and environmentally efficient cutting systems.
For further information www.ford.com

SPI buys site

UK-based fibre laser designer and manufacturer, SPI Lasers, has purchased its 8.1 acre Rugby-based manufacturing site from landlord, Kedaho Investments Ltd, in a deal worth £10.3m.The purchase will see SPI Lasers expand its manufacturing footprint in Rugby by approximately 100%, bringing its total usable space up to approximately 80,000 sq ft. Over the coming months the site will be the subject of a multi-million pound refurbishment with the express intention of utilising the additional space to accelerate SPI’s vertical integration programmes and further optimise manufacturing and production processes.
For further information www.spilasers.com

Official chain supplier to GB Cycling Team

When the Great Britain Cycling Team identified problems with the chain it had been using, Renold was contacted to see if a solution could be devised for track cycling. Renold’s history and a mutual relationship with the University of Bristol was the catalyst for the partnership forming.The chain developed is based on the same technology platform as Renold’s Synergy brand industrial transmission chain.

Detlef Ragnitz, engineering director at Renold, says: “Elite athletes make extreme demands on the chain. We looked at our technology portfolio to see what might be a good fit. Our synergy technology platform is very strong and durable, it has inherently low friction and gives us long life in industrial applications. In Industrial applications, greater efficiency means reduced carbon footprint. In cycling, it means more speed.”
For further information https://velo.renold.com/

Rebrand for machine shop

Norfolk-based CNC machining specialist Stokes & Rowe celebrated its 10th year in business this year, and as part of the company’s long-term investment and growth plans, has rebranded to become Accuturn, a CNC turning and milling specialist. So far in 2018, directors Nicola and Robert Stokes have invest in new CNC milling capability, gain ISO9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards, hire the company’s first mechanical engineering apprentice and now rebrand.As part of the growth strategy, Accuturn is expanding its capabilities with the addition of a Haas Super Mini Mill.
For further information https://accuturn.co.uk/

XYZ makes strategic management changes

XYZ Machine Tools has announced two strategic changes to its management team as the company looks to build on ongoing sales and further develop its product portfolio. In a further move the company has announced that long-serving commercial director Keith Wilson will retire in September 2019, and the search for his replacement has already begun to ensure a smooth transition.

With immediate effect Martin Burton’s role as XYZ Machine Tools’ UK sales manager will be expanded to take in all of the company’s customer-facing groups. As a result, Burton becomes XYZ’ssales and service director with responsibility for sales, service and applications support. The second change sees Mark Chappell, the company’smechanical engineering manager, take on extra responsibility in the newly created role of operations manager, where he will oversee and manage production and product improvements.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com