This gallery contains 1 photo.
One of the UK’s leading industrialists helped a Birmingham precision component manufacturer mark its largest ever investment yesterday. Lord Digby Jones visited Brandauer’s Newtown facility as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations and used the occasion to officially commission the … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Manufacturing SMEs in England are bucking sluggish growth forecasts with encouraging reports of increased sales and new jobs. Over half of respondents (54%) to the first ever Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) National Barometer had seen turnover rise in the last … Continue reading
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Expansion into global markets, streamlining of supply chains and a growing desire from customers to source from the UK will all be key factors in helping a Cheslyn Hay manufacturer more than double its turnover in the next three years. … Continue reading
This gallery contains 1 photo.
A world leader in precision pressings and stamping, whose history spans three centuries, is celebrating in style by announcing major contracts worth £3.5m. Brandauer, which employs 50 people at its headquarters in Birmingham, will begin production on a range … Continue reading
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Olympic success is heading to the Black Country after a local foundry secured a deal to cast parts for the iconic London 2012 Olympic torch. Alucast, which employs over 100 people at its Wednesbury base, has been chosen by Coventry-based … Continue reading
Russ Cockburn, Director of DCPR, looks at the impact of social media on one of the UK’s most traditional sectors and explains why industry is stealing a march on the rest. When we talk about trailblazers in social media, … Continue reading
The majority of component suppliers in the West Midlands have enjoyed a major year of growth it was announced last night at the annual Manufacturing Advisory Service–West Midlands (MAS-WM) Auto Director’s meeting.
£1bn of new investment by global car manufacturers and a 31% increase in export orders has sent a wave of optimism throughout the ‘chain’, with early estimates suggesting in excess of 1500 jobs have been created in 2011 alone.
Companies across powertrain, precision components, body and white and interior trim products have reported significant volume increases and are expecting continued growth after BMW, JLR, Nissan, Vauxhall and Toyota strengthened their commitment to bases in the Midlands, the North East and the South.
The tragic disasters seen in Japan and Thailand also raised concerns about security of supply and a number of vehicle manufacturers have made conscious decisions to UK source – worth many millions to local firms.
MAS-WM Auto’s Rachel Eade commented: “What started as a year of uncertainty has turned into one of the most promising 12 month periods in the recent history of the UK automotive sector.
“The major investments have captured a lot of the media attention, but we are starting to see the spin-offs cascade down the chain with new employment opportunities and continued investment in state-of-the-art machinery.”
She continued: “What is even more pleasing is that a lot of the optimism stems from the fact the investment will be in future UK manufactured models like JLR’s Defender and Discovery, Aston Martin’s new city car, Nissan’s Leaf and Qashqai and Toyota’s future ‘c’ segment hatchback that will replace the Auris.
“We’ve seen Malvern-based Morgan Motor Company launch its new 3 wheeler to global acclaim with orders taken for in excess of 700 vehicles. Most of the parts are sourced from within the West Midlands.
“And CPP Global Holdings also announced that the new Jensen Interceptor will be designed, developed and built in the heart of Coventry.”
More than 50 component suppliers attended the networking event in Birmingham to be given an update on latest industry developments and new funding opportunities through the Advanced Engineering Loan Fund and Bank administered Government grants for capital purchases.
They heard about the activity of MAS-Auto over the course of the last twelve months, with strategic support and mentoring given to 150 local firms.
This ranged from help with process improvements and factory expansions to skills and recruitment support. There were also 20 specialist workshops – including focuses on social media, energy efficiency and meet the buyer – held during 2011.
Rachel went on to add: “What we are hearing in the West Midlands is being mirrored across the UK.
“SMMT figures released in November illustrate the growing sense of optimism, with output up 27.8% (returning to pre-recession volumes) and turnover increasing by 20% to £49bn.”
She went on to add: “The UK’s commitment to being ‘green’ has seen energy usage per vehicle produced down 8% and manufacturing CO2 emissions reduced to 10.5% per vehicle.”
Looking into 2012, Eade was quick to encourage component suppliers to continue the forward thinking, innovation and commitment to low carbon technologies that are changing the face of the automotive sector and future engine production.
There is an increasing need to invest in the next generation of workers both through apprentices and more advanced training opportunities across the workforce.
Finally, access to finance for growth – both capital investment and working capital -will continue to be an issue for suppliers and MAS is committed to working with companies to secure the best blended lending they can, including, where appropriate, access to grants.
Rachel concluded: “2011 has been a year when UK manufacturing got back on track after periods of economic uncertainty. Now, with productivity increasing and investment flowing into our domestic plants, the next few years look rich with potential for the West Midlands supply chain.
“But we can’t rest on our laurels. It’s all about keeping pace with industry demands and that will remain the biggest challenge for our companies.”
For further information, please email reade@mas-wm.org, visit www.mas-wm.org or contact 0845 245 0845
A new nationally operated Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) will focus on helping small and medium sized manufacturers to grow, Business Minister Mark Prisk announced in October.
The new service will be delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC) and will help create £1.5bn in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard 50,000 jobs.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service will continue to deliver a national service to all manufacturing businesses in England but the new consortium now means that there will be a specific focus on:
Business Minister Mark Prisk said:
“Manufacturing contributes half ofBritain’s exports and has much higher productivity than the rest of the economy so it is essential to our plans for growth. That is why we are taking steps to ensure our industrial base is thriving as part of a strong and balancedUKeconomy.
“Britain has world class manufacturers and the new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) will help them grow and create more outstanding companies with a particular focus on helping SMEs.
Simon Griffiths, Area Director at MAC, said:
“MAS is designed to support all manufacturers to retain employment, improve productivity and deliver significant growth to theUKeconomy.
“At its core is a passion and drive to help dynamic, innovative businesses to grow – even in a challenging economic environment. These principles are very much at the heart of the MAC consortium’s own business strategy and values.
“Our proven expertise in delivering advice to growing businesses combined with specialist regional, market and technical knowledge allows us to bring scale, commitment and innovation for entrepreneurship to the future of this programme.”
He continued: “As the service moves to a national delivery model the consortium will continue to recognise and cater for regional needs. The service will continue to be delivered from locations acrossEngland.”
Previously delivered through the Regional Development Agencies the new service will deliver four times the current return on investment.
The Manufacturing Advisory Consortium comprises Grant Thornton, Pera, WM Manufacturing Consortium Ltd and MAS SW Ltd.
Three leading industrial consultants have swapped their high-profile engineering positions to build a new bio-diesel plant on the outskirts of Stourport.
Former Cambridge University students Geoff Cunningham, Tom James and Duncan Morrison spotted a gap in the market where they could use cooking oil – combined with their unique proprietary processes – to create biodiesel that can be sold direct to the major fuel providers.
The trio, who have tapped into start-up support from Business Link West Midlands (BLWM), have invested more than £80,000 in launching Organic Drive, developing the company brand and, importantly, building a purpose-built 4,500 sq ft facility.
“There has to be a minimum of 5% biodiesel blended into all main fuels so the market is exponential and, in the UK, there are currently very few producers,” explained Duncan, who previously worked for BMW and Rolls Royce.
“Utilising the expertise of Cambridge University’s Chemical Engineering Department, we have developed a number of process innovations that allow us to reduce yield losses significantly. Basically, this means we can make it cheaper than anyone else.”
He continued: “When we are up to full capacity we should be producing 100 tonnes per week and the long-term strategy is to target the big fuel wholesalers like BP, Shell and the supermarket retailers.”
Organic Drive has used support from business adviser Anabela Ferreira to help it develop a business plan and with financial forecasting. The next stage is to continue to work with her on securing an expansion grant from Wyre Forest District Council.
Duncan concluded: “The potential is there for us to hit £2m sales in our first year and, thanks to the solid platform we have in place, we would anticipate this being the first step in our expansion into a UK leader.”
Budding entrepreneurs in the Wyre Forest are being urged to follow Organic Drive’s example and tap into a host of specialist support to turn their ideas into commercial reality.
Business Link West Midlands is currently offering a full package of assistance from immediate start-up advice and information sheets to networking events and one-to-one mentoring.
The service, which has assisted more than 400 individuals to start-up over the last twelve months, will help aspiring entrepreneurs with business planning, financial forecasting, sales and marketing, bringing new products to market and legal issues
Specialist provider NEW College is delivering the support locally and has advisers in place to assist another 150 start-ups over the next three months.
“Enterprise is going to be an important driver in helping the area continue its recovery from the recession and we’re delighted that we are able to still offer a comprehensive package of support to individuals in the Wyre Forest,” explained Lorraine Holmes, Chief Executive of Business Link West Midlands.
“We have a great team of enterprise providers in place, who can help individuals overcome some of the uncertainties they face when starting a business.”
To find out how you can benefit from start-up support, please contact Business Link West Midlands on 0845 113 1234 or email info@businesslinkwm.co.uk
Investment in the latest technology is giving a UK manufacturer a global edge on its competitors and helping it build on recent factory expansion.
Wrekin Circuits, which is part of the unique Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), has
(l-r) Andy Morris and Dave Brown
spent more than £470,000 on adding a further 6000 sq ft to its manufacturing capabilities in Shropshire, purchasing a state-of-the-art drill machine and bringing in copper fill facility and a Plane Raze device.
The latest acquisitions give the company the ability to provide complex printed circuit boards (PCBs) in just three days, currently the fastest turnaround time in the industry.
It is an approach that has already led to a string of new contracts, including an order for LED technology that will save the rail sector £140m every year.
“Our industry is extremely competitive and customers are continually demanding smaller, lighter, more complicated circuit boards,” explained Andy Morris, Sales Manager at Wrekin Circuits.
“It’s all about offering new solutions to the customer and the recent investment in the MASS Plane Raze device and Schmoll Combi-Machine XRC drill allows us to offer high density interconnect for the latest generation component packages.
“Put simply, the new technology gives our engineers the capability to utilise solder pad positions to drill between layers on the board – thus increasing the complexity of the PCB.
“They then use copper filling and a mechanical process to produce a sealed and completely flat board that is eventually used in aeroplanes, satellite navigation systems, mobile phones and military equipment.”
He continued: “Normally, customers would expect this service to take ten days, but thanks to our expertise we are meeting some contracts in just 72 hours.
“Our R&D facility also helped to perfect processing on specialist insulated metal substrates for use in high power LED applications.”
Wrekin Circuits, which employs 38 people at its Telford base, currently supplies printed circuit boards to customers in seventeen different countries.
Its ability to manufacture in a wide variety of materials (polyimide, PTFE Cyanate Ester and Rogers) and offer heavy copper plating (up to 10 oz Cu), 50 micron tracks and heatsinks has made it a natural partner for clients involved in the semi-conductor marketplace, aerospace and defence and, increasingly, in medical instrumentation.
Whilst the last twelve months have been tough with scarcity of material and fluctuating demand, the firm has been able to post consistent growth and will top £2.2m sales this year.
“One of the key areas of recent investment has been adding an additional third of capacity to our site, giving us a combined 18,000 sq ft,” pointed out Andy.
“There will be some form of production in there, but the majority of that space will be used for stockholding a comprehensive range of laminates. This means we are in complete control of the manufacturing process and not waiting on shipments arriving that can take between 10 to 15 days. Ultimately this means we can turn around some jobs in just 24 hours.”
Another innovation for Wrekin is its involvement in the Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), a ten-strong group of sub-contractors who work together to share best practice and importantly win new business.
All members offer different manufacturing expertise and processes, ranging from aluminium die castings and plastic injection moulding to specialist wiring harnesses and advanced chemical etching.
Andy concluded: “This has been of real benefit for us and being part of the group has certainly reaped dividends on our bottom line and in helping us overcome industry issues by solving problems together.
“We are also able to channel our marketing budgets together to have larger floorspace at a greater number of exhibitions. In fact, Southern Manufacturing last year resulted in an order being placed by a company that has grown to become our largest customer.”
For further information, please visit www.wrekin-circuits .co.uk, contact 01952 670011 or see it at www.facebook.com/wrekincircuits
