Sheffield Forgemasters is now working with the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP). The company has secured expert consultancy support via the OWGP WEST programme, providing market assessments, feedback, recommendations of next steps and action plans for further support to help accelerate growth within the offshore wind sector supply chain.

Sheffield Forgemasters has also successfully bid for £40,000 of funding via the OWGP Cross-Sector Support Competition, which aims to increase the breadth of the UK offshore wind supply chain by attracting cross-sector engagement and enabling UK companies to join the industry.

For further information
www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

Despite being one of the UK’s most prominent sectors, the metalworking industry is struggling to attract new talent and apprentices. Research recently commissioned by power tools and accessories manufacturer, FEIN, has uncovered that 80% believe there is insufficient incentive to encourage young people into the industry. The report also reveals that 76% think there are fewer younger people entering the metalworking sector year-on-year, while 42% believe the skills shortage will have the biggest impact on the future of the industry.

Download the report at
https://is.gd/unavav

Vargus Tooling UK, a manufacturer and supplier of threading, grooving, turning and hand deburring tools, has expanded its team with the appointment of two new employees. For the first time, Vargus UK will be offering extensive service and support for manufacturers in Ireland with the appointment of Barry Pender. Pender brings a wealth of experience to a position that will see him become the new technical sales engineer for Scotland and Ireland.

At the Telford head office, Vargus has created a new position with the appointment of Rhianna Harris as its new customer relationship specialist.

For further information
www.vargusuk.co.uk

LISI Aerospace (BAI UK) and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) have jointly secured £975,000 in funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) to unlock productivity gains, new markets and reduce waste in the fastener industry through the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies. The pilot production line for high-precision aerospace fasteners, at BAI UK’s Rugby facility, will help define the ‘smart factory’ by pioneering the use of machine learning, data analytics, indirect fault detection and other cutting-edge digital technologies.

For further information
www.amrc.co.uk

Reeco is doubling the size of its premises in Newtown, Wales, from 5500 sq ft to more than 11,000 sq ft. The enlarged space will enable the company to have dedicated factory areas for assembly and metalwork, cutting and welding, as well as a dedicated training centre. Reeco is a supplier of turnkey solutions based on collaborative robots (cobots) for many different sectors, including automotive, food and beverage, and logistics. Customers include Ford, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell and Unilever. Omron recently selected Reeco as its first ‘Omron Solutions Partner’.

For further information
www.reeco.co.uk