UK NEWS

Viohalco Hails 25 Years Of Rolling Mill Ownership

One of Bridgnorth’s largest employers has completed its latest capital equipment installation to take total investment in its Stourbridge Road factory to £180m. Bridgnorth Aluminium, which is the UK’s last remaining aluminium rolling mill, revealed the new thin-gauge slitting line at a special party held this weekend to mark 25 years of ownership by Viohalco Group, a Greek industrial powerhouse. More than 500 members of staff, local dignitaries and key stakeholders enjoyed live music, games and a guided tour of a site that is now viewed as critical to the UK’s sovereign manufacturing push.

More information www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

Key Appointment At QA Weld Tech

Express Engineering Group has appointed Neil Pentland as general manager and site director of its Teesside-based specialist welding and fabrication business, QA Weld Tech. Pentland will lead QA Weld Tech’s Middlesbrough site, with responsibility for overseeing complex fabrication projects, strengthening customer relationships and continued business development.

He will work closely with the established team and the wider Express Engineering Group to maintain quality, enhance project delivery and support long-term growth. Pentland will be supported by an experienced senior management team, including: Stewart Geary, operations manager; John Wilson, production manager; Adam Stockport, project delivery manager; Peter Blakey, quality manager; and Peter Harrison, senior welding engineer.More information www.qaweldtech.com

Renishaw Recognised For Apprenticeship Excellence

Renishaw has been awarded the Gold Kitemark accreditation by Next Gen Makers, recognising the company’s commitment to delivering outstanding apprenticeship programmes and developing the next generation of engineering talent. The award reflects the company’s ongoing investment in its apprenticeship programme, and acknowledges the collective efforts of mentors, managers and colleagues. Renishaw recruited its first apprentice in 1979 and has employed apprentices every year since.

“I’m incredibly proud that our apprenticeship programme has been awarded the Gold Accreditation,” says Julia Russell, early careers lead at Renishaw. “Having held Silver for several years, this progression to Gold is a fantastic reflection of the dedication and achievements of our apprentices.”

More information www.renishaw.com/en/early-careers

Soraluce Opens Subsidiary In UK

Soraluce, a Spain-headquartered manufacturer of machine tools for large and complex components, has announced the opening of a new subsidiary, Soraluce UK. Through this new direct presence, Soraluce UK will provide customers with dedicated sales support, technical assistance and aftersales service, ensuring a closer relationship and a more agile response to their manufacturing needs.

The establishment of Soraluce UK represents a strategic step in the company’s international growth plan, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the manufacturing sector across the region. Soraluce’s portfolio includes milling machines, boring machines, vertical lathes, multitasking machines and automation solutions. The new subsidiary will be led by Graeme Thomas, Managing Director.

More information www.soraluce.com

Learner Of The Year

Overcoming language barriers, inspiring the next generation of industry professionals and introducing several major improvement activities has helped a Birmingham apprentice take the main title at the In-Comm Training Awards. Polish-born Aurelia Wojtowicz was crowned as the ‘Outstanding Learner of the Year’ in front of 400 people at The Halls in Wolverhampton recently. Working at precision cutting tool specialist Guhring, the forward-thinking apprentice impressed the judges with her technical understanding, continuous improvement mindset, and commitment to supporting engineering operations.

More information www.in-comm.co.uk