Marcus Burton has been awarded an MBE for services to export and inward investment in the New Year Honours list.

Burton, who serves as non-executive director for Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd, which has its European headquarters and manufacturing plant in Worcester, was previously European group managing director for seven years from 2010 to 2017. He is also president of the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and chairman of the Economic Committee at CECIMO, the European association representing the common interests of the machine-tool industry.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

Kent-based AD Engineering has invested in an ‘eco’ building that has the ability to power its state-of-the-art machinery after securing a five-figure funding injection from NatWest and Lombard Asset Finance.

The firm, which specialises in precision multi-axis CNC machining for the subsea, aerospace, space and transport sectors, has used the £445,750 funding package to purchase the A+ rated ‘green’ unit at Eurolinks Business Park in Sittingbourne.
Investment from NatWest will support activities for a key client account in the aerospace industry, which will deliver a 20% increase in output for the firm and support the creation of two new apprenticeships. The funding has also enabled the purchase of new Muratec MT100i-T2 twin-spindle turning machines.
For further information www.business.natwest.com

Airborne UK has become a member of the National Composites Centre (NCC), presenting further opportunities for the two companies to work together on automation and collaborative digital projects with the goal of reducing the cost of manufacturing composite structures.

In addition to the development of automation and digitalisation, Airborne continues to provide engineering, design for manufacture, prototyping and part manufacturing solutions. As a tier-two member, the company will be able to access the NCC’s facilities and capabilities, as well as the expertise needed to support its ventures.
For further information www.nccuk.com

Angloco Ltd, the UK’s oldest manufacturer of fire engines, has secured a major deal to replace and service most of the existing fire fleet operated by the Ministry of Defence.

The £30m order comes as part of the Defence Fire and Rescue Project, a significant outsourcing contract recently awarded to Capita Plc. Under the contract, Angloco will not only supply more than 80 new fire vehicles, but will support them in the UK and around the world for the next 12 years. The announcement comes after recent news of Angloco’s second factory opening.
For further information www.angloco.co.uk

PP Control & Automation is on course for a record year after increasing annual sales to £26 million, just 12 months after attracting investment from Ardenton Capital.

The strategic manufacturing outsourcing specialist has seen demand for its solutions continue to rise against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, with the West Midlands-based firm now working with over 25 of the world’s largest machinery builders.
Now employing more than 220 people at its 5500 sq m facility, PP C&A delivers added-value design, engineering and complex assemblies to clients involved in aerospace, food processing, machine tool, packaging, printing and other advanced technologies. With renewed financial backing from the Canadian-based investor, PP C&A has added £3m of turnover in the past 12 months, and is now exploring the possibility of future acquisitions and a joint venture to establish a manufacturing footprint in North America.
For further information www.ppcanda.com