The UK machine tool business of 600 Group Plc, Colchester Machine Tools Solutions, has secured a £1.2m new-term loan with a three-year bullet repayment under the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS).

This loan will help provide headroom in funding the business through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Dupee, executive chairman, states: “These are unprecedented times. We have taken decisive action to ensure our workforce and technical competencies remain intact through this period of uncertainty so that the group can react quickly as markets improve.”
For further information www.600group.com

The Royal Academy of Engineering has awarded 19 individuals and teams of engineers with the ‘President’s Special Awards for Pandemic Service’, for exceptional engineering achievements in tackling COVID-19 throughout the UK.

Specially commissioned silver medals will be presented to all 19 winners. Professor Sir Jim McDonald, president of the RAE, says: “I’m incredibly proud of engineers everywhere who have worked round the clock to maintain essential services, critical supply chains and infrastructure in unprecedented circumstances.”
For further information www.raeng.org.uk

Derbyshire-based Nuclear Energy Components (NEC) is starting work with the Nuclear AMRC to develop environmentally-friendly machining techniques which will reduce the cost, lead time and risk associated with high-value nuclear components.

The project is funded by the UK government’s Nuclear Innovation Programme, and is part of the £40m investment in advanced nuclear technologies announced in July. The new year-long project, called ‘Process Improvement Through CO2 Cooling’ (PITCO2C), will develop the technology to take it closer to production for 316L stainless steel components.
For further information www.nuclearamrc.co.uk

A new manufacturing cluster has been established to target more than £10m of electrification opportunities over the next 12 months.

Brandauer, C-MAC SMT and PP Control & Automation – all members of the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN) – have come together to offer a single-source supply-chain solution for electric motors, drivetrain components, battery cells, casings and housings, transfer laminations, PCB assemblies, and wider infrastructure services.
The trio has also enlisted the expertise of industrial automation specialist Balluff to drive the opportunity. This joined-up approach is already reaping dividends by helping the new cluster secure in excess of £3m of off-highway automotive contracts and an order for an upwind turbine system from FuturEnergy.
For further information www.man-group.co.uk

The restart of manufacturing at Toyota’s UK car plant in Burnaston has seen the factory reach the milestone of 4.5 million vehicles.

Burnaston’s landmark model, a 1.8-litre hybrid Corolla hatchback that is on its way to a customer in Poland, reaffirms that it is very much “back-to-business” at the site. Production resumed on 26 May following temporary closure due to COVID-19. Facilities and processes have been revised to ensure the health and safety of all staff members and site visitors. Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) completes a car every 89 seconds at Burnaston, which equates to 3000 vehicles a week.
For further information www.toyotauk.com