Building on strong figures for the first quarter of 2017, the subcontract manufacturing market edged ahead another 6.7% in the second quarter, with strong demand for machining in June offsetting a dip in May. According to the latest Qimtek Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) figures, the index for the second quarter stood at 174, compared with 163 for the first quarter, although it was 8% down on the corresponding quarter of 2016 when demand was particularly strong and the index stood at 188. The baseline figure of 100 represents the average value of the subcontracting market during 2014.
For further information www.qimtek.co.uk

Chester Machine Tools has announced that its new catalogue app for Android smartphones is now live. The new app has been specifically designed to provide customers and agents with quick and easy access to Chester’s extensive machine tool range, whenever required.
Included within the app is Chester’s latest catalogue, along with direct links to individual machines and specifications. Direct contact links are also included. To download the new app, simply visit the App Store at Google Play
and search for Chester Machine Tools.
For further information
www.chestermachinetools.com

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