UK NEWS

Bystronic UK looks to the future

Daniel Thombs, 45, has been appointed managing director of Bystronic UK, a subsidiary of Swiss group Bystronic Laser AG, which specialises in manufacturing sheet metalworking machinery, notably flat-bed laser cutting machines, tube laser cutting machines, material storage automation and press brakes.

He is joining Bystronic at a time when the UK business is strong and increasing its market share year-on-year, with turnover currently at an all-time high. On 1 October 2018 Thombs will take over from the current MD David Larcombe, who has been with the company for 40 years.
For further information www.bystronic.com

MTI celebrates 15 years of innovation

In 2003 MTI launched a print magazine abound with game-changing innovations for the pre-owned machine tool market.

In a sector previously restricted to black and white classified listings, MTI magazine brought glossy photographs and easy-to-use colour categories to the market. In the subsequent 15 years, the innovations did not stop, with the launch of a global exhibition strategy designed to help customers in the UK, Europe and USA promote their machines and services in emerging markets. This initiative continues today, with some 19 exhibitions planned for 2019.
MTI has also launched two highly successful websites, MTImagazine.com and Machinespotter.com, one bringing the latest industry news and technological innovations
to the global engineering community, and the other hosting around 12,000 new and used machines on a 24-7 basis.
Bob Sadat, the company’s founder, CEO and publisher, says: “At MTI we have invested heavily over the past 15 years to provide the industry’s best and most comprehensive vehicle for buying and selling machine tools, manufacturing technologies and related services. Moving forward, we will continue investing in our products to ensure quality for our customers.”
Ton Matena, president of the EAMTM, adds: “MTI has been a member of the EAMTM since its inception in 2003, a fact that reflects a determination to offer quality as all our members have to abide by a strict code of ethics. Here at the EAMTM we would like to congratulate MTI on reaching this milestone during a trading period widely regarded as being one of the most challenging on record.”
For further information www.mtimagazine.com

Work smarter to avoid welding fume exposure

Amid ever-stringent guidelines on managing exposure to hazardous substances at work, global testing, inspection and certification expert Bureau Veritas is encouraging manufacturers to ‘work smarter’ on limiting the risks that welding fumes pose to employee health.

Over-exposure to welding fumes and gases can damage the lungs, the respiratory tract, the central nervous system and lead to a number of serious diseases including asthma, pneumonia and lung cancer.
In the UK alone, it is estimated that welding causes in excess of 150 deaths due to cancer every year, while around 40 to 50 welders are hospitalised annually with pneumonia due to inhaling metal fumes. What’s more, given the recent introduction of EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits guidance by the HSE2 (setting out new and revised workplace exposure limits (WELs) for 31 chemical substances), Bureau Veritas says it has never been more important for manufacturers to ensure they have the right occupational hygiene programme in place.
For further information www.bureauveritas.co.uk

Brose celebrates 30 years in Coventry

Brose, a tier one automotive supplier, has celebrated 30 years of production in the UK by producing its two millionth seat structure in a year.

The company, which employs 900 people across its two plants in Coventry, announced the manufacturing milestone during the official presentation of its Queen’s Award for Enterprise by Timothy Cox, Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire. Staff, local dignitaries and Maximilian Stoschek, the great grandson of company founder Max Brose, were on hand to see current managing director Juergen Zahl accept the accolade that reflects a major spike in export sales.
For further information www.brose.com

Mazak chosen for government 5G factory initiative

Yamazaki Mazak has been chosen as one of a select few UK companies to act as a ‘testbed’ for the deployment of next-generation 5G technology, with a view to improving commercial digital infrastructures and ultimately boosting productivity across the UK industrial sector.

5G is set to become the industry standard for connectivity in the future. With potential speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, it could allow for industrial automation systems to operate at as-yet unseen speeds, as well as increase the speed of real-time analysis, meaning quicker reactions to any red flags and reduced downtime.
The consortium has been granted £4.8m in government funding to conduct the 5G testbed trial. This funding will be used to gauge how faster internet speeds can improve industrial productivity and advanced cyber security, via increased investment in next-generation technology. The work will include experimenting with preventative and assisted maintenance techniques using robotics, big data analytics and augmented reality, at the company’s European Headquarters, in Worcester.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk