The Government is investing £147m in the Manufacturing Made Smarter challenge with the aim of transforming UK manufacturing capabilities through the development and adoption of Industrial Digital Technologies (IDTs).

This investment will raise productivity by 30%, accelerate the drive to net zero emissions and create thousands of highly skilled jobs. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through Innovate UK, the Government’s innovation agency, has already awarded the challenge its first investment package of £20m to 14 projects in round 1.

For further information www.ukri.org

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), a new advanced manufacturing venture by KW Special Projects, has appointed Nigel Robinson as COO to deliver the establishment and growth of this stand-alone additive manufacturing (AM) production facility.

With extensive engineering, operations, quality and management knowledge, as well as a focus on next-generation AM technologies, Robinson is a key hire within the leadership team and will be working directly with DMC CEO, Kieron Salter.

Robinson will be focused on the launch and growth of the DMC from an innovation viewpoint, ensuring the latest technologies are represented, as well as building a team around key staff members and developing the client portfolio. With a background in mechanical engineering and AM, his recent experience includes working as CEO at one of the largest AM production sites in the UK.
For further information

www.digitalmanufacturingcentre.com

CGTech, the developer of Vericut CNC simulation, verification and optimisation software, is offering new financing options to help manufacturers get back up and running during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The WorkSmart finance scheme allows businesses to install Vericut for an affordable monthly cost. Vericut simulates all types of CNC machining and operates independently, but can also be integrated with all leading CAM systems.
The software eliminates manual prove-outs, ensures machining is collision-free, and increases machine capacity.

For further information info.uk@cgtech.com

A Birmingham-based engineering group has been named as a responsible business champion by a Prince of Wales-backed charity.

The recognition places the multi-disciplined ADI Group among a distinguished list of alumni that includes Unilever, Deloitte and Anglian Water. ADI Group was awarded the Education Partnership Award by Business in the Community (BITC), a business-community outreach programme set up by patrons who include Princes Charles.

The award is the latest in a string of honours earned by ADI’s innovative pre-apprentice programme, which was launched in partnership with North Bromsgrove High School in Birmingham four years ago. ADI mentors 14-16-year-olds, giving them hands-on engineering skills, as well as valuable experience of a real working environment.

For further information www.adiltd.co.uk

A manufacturing collaboration born in the West Midlands is helping satisfy increasing demand for industrial inventory management solutions in the midst of COVID-19.

PP Control & Automation and Solihull-based Inventor-e (a specialist in inventory management at point of use) have signed a deal that makes the most of multi-million-pound global opportunities to supply customers around the world with the cloud-based SmartStores Secure solution. The relationship has seen collaboration to develop a secure industrial vending machine cabinet, specifically designed for unmanned/remote stores.

For further information www.ppcanda.com