Each day The Manufacturer compiles the top manufacturing news stories from around the web. To make your life a little easier, we trawl through all the major trade publications, broadsheets and business magazines to find you the most important manufacturing news each morning. Don't forget to bookmark this page and check back daily.
UK Manufacturing PMI: Production rises for the first time in eight months as supply chain pressures ease
The UK manufacturing industry displayed its hallmark resilience in February, posting its first production rise in eight months, despite continuing labour challenges and lower order intakes, according to the latest S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®. Read more via The Manufacturer
UK ceramics trade body announces its first female vice president
The trade association for the ceramics industry will welcome its first female vice president onto its Board later this year, who brings with her a wealth of industry experience.
Hannah Ault, managing director of Stoke-on-Trent-based Valentine Clays Ltd, has agreed to take up the role on the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) Board of Directors. Read more via The Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover owner demands 500 mln pounds from UK for battery factory
Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors is demanding more than £500m ($600.90m) of government aid for a new battery factory in Britain, in a decision set to be “pivotal” for the future of the UK car industry. Read more via Financial Times
JCB apprentice engineers a bright future with major award win
A JCB apprentice who is working at the cutting edge of engineering has scooped a top industry honour.
Engineering Degree Apprentice, Nihal Dhillon, 21, was crowned Engineering Employer Apprentice of the Year at the Group Training Association England awards ceremony held at The Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry. Read more via The Manufacturer
Brexit costs push British bike manufacturer into the red
British children’s bike manufacturer Frog Bikes has said mounting Brexit costs drove it into the red last year.
The company’s annual accounts(opens in new tab), released on Wednesday, detailed pre-tax losses of £530,476 for the financial year to the end of February 2022.
In the report, Frog Bikes co-founders and directors Jerry and Shelley Lawson wrote that the company had struggled with the “continuing friction” caused by the UK’s departure from the EU, which took effect in January 2020. Read more via Cycling Weekly
Made Smarter / Make UK event shines spotlight on benefits of digital transformation for manufacturers
Manufacturing businesses got to see first-hand how digital technology could transform their productivity during a networking event at a cutting-edge Telford company.
Made Smarter West Midlands and Make UK, with support from Telford & Wrekin Council, organised the event for businesses from across the region at iconsys’ Technology Hub at Stafford Park 16. Read more via The Manufacturer
BAE Systems to provide Maritime Indirect Fires System for UK Royal Navy
BAE Systems, Inc. has received a $219m (£181m) contract to equip the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates with five Mk 45 Maritime Indirect Fire Systems (MIFS). The system combines the 5-inch, 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4A naval gun system with a fully automated Ammunition Handling System (AHS).
The new automated AHS combined with the Mk45 gun will give the Royal Navy a critical advantage at sea. Read more via BAE Systems
Toyota triumphs with two UK Car of the Year titles
On the face of it, the Toyota Aygo X and GR86 are very different machines – one a compact, stylish city car and the other a classic, driver-focused sports coupe. What they have in common today is prize-winning prestige, both being voted category winners in the UK Car of the Year Awards 2023.
Success respectively as Best Small Car and Best Coupe means they now go head-to-head, together with other class winners, for the overall Car of the Year title. The result will be announced on 10 March.
The awards are based on the opinions of a panel of leading British motoring writers and commentators, each of whom has had the opportunity to put the cars through their paces. Read more via Toyota
British Steel passes quality audit with flying colours
External auditors have praised a wide range of British Steel’s business activities – including its significant investment schemes, Low-Carbon Roadmap and employees – after a rigorous assessment against a prestigious quality mark.
And the good news is that after 29 days of external assessment by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), British Steel has been successfully recertified to International Standard ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, which also covers Construction Products Regulations and National Highways Sector Scheme 3B. Read more via British Steel
Just 29% of UK manufacturers consider net zero a priority – National Manufacturing Barometer
The latest National Manufacturing Barometer shows that although 42% of manufacturers see net zero as a positive for their firm, only 29% say it is a current priority. This comes as energy costs to continue to soar, further underlining the argument for more renewables. Nevertheless, 37% of companies say they have already pledged to achieve net zero, with almost three quarters of these businesses planning to reach this milestone by 2040. Read more via SWMAS
