SME manufacturers have underlined their hopes for a free trade arrangement with the EU following Brexit, according to the latest National Manufacturing Barometer. The quarterly survey, which questioned 331 industry leaders, asked SMEs to share their concerns about leaving the EU. Maintaining a free trade arrangement was cited as a key priority by around 50% of respondents, as well as the need for the government to move more quickly through the negotiation process.

Conducted by SWMAS (part of the Exelin Group) in partnership with Economic Growth Solutions (EGS), the survey also asked about the impact of the Brexit process on business to date. Worryingly, 41% of manufacturers said it had already had a negative impact, while 47% anticipate that business conditions will get even tougher once the UK leaves the EU.
For further information www.swmas.co.uk

Chester Machine Tools is now offering customers a lease-to-buy option, a new initiative designed to give prospective customers the choice of substantially lowering initial outlay and cost by paying for the machine on a monthly basis. Buyers will have the opportunity to either lease or purchase their machine outright. Benefits include: fixed rates for the duration of agreement; 100% tax deductible payments; the equipment can be earning the next payment from day one; no need to have bank loans, overdrafts or pay cash; the cost of the purchase is spread; existing lines of credit are protected; and cash flow is preserved.

For further information www.chestermachinetools.com

Citizen Machinery UK’s annual open house event, which is being staged on 3-5 October, will feature a pre-launch preview of the company’s latest generation Cincom D25 sliding headstock, a 10-axis CNC turn-mill centre. Complementing the 12 Citizen and Miyano machines to be installed at the showcase event will be the company’s Low-Frequency Vibration (LFV) technology, which is being launched in the UK. LFV is now available on the smaller capacity Cincom L12-VIIILFV. This additional model is the next phase of Citizen’s programme to extend this production advantage across the company’s product range following its UK launch of the L20 machine type last year.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

The assets of a steel fabrication business that went into liquidation fetched a six-figure sum when they were sold through an online auction. BPI Auctions handled the sale of metalworking equipment and vehicles from Midland Metal Fabrications, which ceased trading in May. Lots included industrial equipment ranging from CNC machine tools and welding extraction units to a gas-fired spray booth, welding robot and powder coating line. Marcus Smith from BPI Auctions says that conducting online auctions of a liquidated company’s assets simplifies the sales process for both vendor and purchaser.

For further information www.bpiauctions.com

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) has welcomed three major new members from the manufacturing sector. Agreements have been signed with Kuka Robotics, Open Mind Technologies and Metalube, all joining as tier two members.

The companies will share knowledge with the AFRC, working with the £60m research centre on collaborative projects, partnerships and problem-solving exercises in particular manufacturing processes. “We’re pleased to add another three highly innovative businesses to our list of partners and are looking forward to the collaborative projects which evolve as a result,” says Dr Lynne O’Hare, chief business development officer.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk