The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry says it is gearing up for highest ever intake of female apprentice engineers since launching the organisation’s apprenticeship programme. Increased awareness of the range of career opportunities for women in engineering has reaped dividends for the MTC’s Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Programme. Of 42 apprentice places on offer this year, females applicants are expected to take up seven spaces.
For further information
www.mtc-myfuture.co.uk

Hardide Coatings Ltd has gained Nadcap accreditation for coatings. Nadcap is the world’s leading independent certification programme for special processes within the aerospace and defence industry. The accreditation, in addition to the company’s current certifications to AS9100, ISO9001 and ISO14001, means that Hardide can expand its business in the aerospace sector and provide its tungsten carbide-based coatings to any of the aerospace prime contractors or their supply chains worldwide.
Philip Kirkham, CEO of Hardide Coatings, says: “Aerospace is a key growth market for Hardide and this is a significant achievement and milestone toward realising the clear potential for our coating technology in this sector. An increasing number of aerospace companies require their suppliers to be Nadcap accredited, so to be fully approved opens up the market to us.”
For further information www.hardide.com

Apprentices from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) were invited to the Houses of Commons at the end of last month to celebrate work bridging the gap between innovation in industry and academia.
The event, organised by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult), showcased the University of Sheffield’s growth and performance when working with industry. Open to all MPs, the reception also highlighted how Catapult organisations like the AMRC and Nuclear AMRC are helping to shape the UK manufacturing innovation landscape that will deliver the UK’s Industrial Strategy. This year’s AMRC Training Centre ‘Apprentice of the Year’ winner, Leigh Worsdale, McLaren apprentice Ian Hutchinson and Nuclear AMRC apprentice Jordan Wagstaff attended the event.
For further information www.amrc.co.uk

Pentaxia is set to expand, with more than 20 new jobs in the pipeline, and a move to 70,000 sqft of new manufacturing and office space later this year. The company says that plans for the new facility include investment in new machine tools. Enjoying growth of more than 60% during the past 12 months, Pentaxia has seen a rapid increase in demand for lightweight, high-performance components from its blue-chip customers. The company has had an offer accepted on a new site to the north of Derby, which will triple current production space. More importantly, the site covers six acres, which gives Pentaxia room to expand.
For further information www.pentaxia.com

XYZ Machine Tools is hosting an open house event at its Sheffield Showroom (WNT Technical Centre) on the 12 July (08:00-15:00), and in line with policy at these events, all of the display machines are available to buy and all will be subject to enticing deals on the day. Stock is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, and, as there is no need to reserve a place, arriving early is recommended. While the showroom machines are limited in numbers, this will still be an opportunity to see XYZ’s ProtoTrak control system in operation on a ProtoTrak mill and ProTurn lathe, as well as demonstrations on an XYZ 710 VMC and Compact Turn 52 turning centre.
For further information
www.xyzmachinetools.com