A manufacturing network representing more than 600 companies in the Midlands and Yorkshire has developed an online virtual exhibition to combat the effects of the pandemic on in-person events.

The Made in Group, which includes Made in the Midlands and Made in Yorkshire, has invested more than £150,000 in developing ‘Backing Britain Live 2020’. This online event aims to draw 5000 attendees and is already supported by 200 exhibitors.
BBLive2020, is up and running at www.backingbritain.com where it will continue until 28 August. The event showcases manufacturers and businesses alike in an all-new digital format. Delegates and exhibitors also have the chance to attend over 25 seminars, including virtual round tables on topics such as smart factories, green manufacturing and supply chain localisation.
Tickets are available at https://lnkd.in/gwNdA4b

The GTMA has appointed an academic advisor to support activities in additive manufacturing.

Dr Jennifer Johns will bring a range of expertise to the association, including research on technological change and innovation in global supply chain networks. A reader in international business at The University of Bristol, Johns recently published an extensive report examining the impact of additive manufacturing on supply chains in the UK, Germany and US.
For further information www.gtma.co.uk

Workington-based TSP Engineering has been awarded a £30m contract to manufacture nuclear waste containers for Sellafield Ltd.

The 50-tonne, lead-lined containers will transfer nuclear waste from the legacy Magnox Swarf Storage Silo to newly built storage facilities on the site. This new work is expected to create or sustain approximately 200 jobs at TSP Engineering. Alongside other orders placed with the business, the work will bring the TSP Engineering workforce to more than 250 people.
Martin Chown, CEO of Sellafield Ltd, says: “TSP’s success in winning this contract proves our nuclear supply chain can compete with the best in the world.”
For further information www.tsp-engineering.co.uk

Carfulan Group has expanded its workforce by almost 20% as it continues to strengthen its offering to UK manufacturers.

Part of a revamped five-year business plan, a targeted recruitment drive has seen eight new faces join the group across its four companies: OGP UK, SYS Systems, Zoller UK and ViciVision UK. In total, Carfulan now employs more than 50 people.
Managing director Chris Fulton says: “Our new five-year business plan takes us up to 2025 and people are critical to its success. We’ve made a significant investment up front to get the right people through the door and fully up to speed, so that by the end of this period we’re confident we’ll have a field-leading team right across the group. The recruitment drive isn’t stopping here – if we continue to be successful we’re keen to grow further, across all of our companies.”
For further information www.carfulan.com

Telford-based Fabweld Steel Products has returned to full operational capacity and recalled all of its staff from furlough after securing a record £500,000 of sales in just seven days.

The spike in sales – around 10 times more than what would be expected at this time of year – signals a return of confidence to the market, believes managing director Richard Hilton. “I think this is a very positive signal that confidence is beginning to return to industry, and long may it continue,” he states. The recent surge in orders has come from a mix of UK and export projects, including €275,000 from Germany for the supply of recessed access covers.
For further information www.fsp.co.uk