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: industry downturn continues amid weak demand and ongoing Red Sea crisis
The UK manufacturing industry’s downturn continued in February, with production and new orders both falling, as the knock-on effects of the ongoing Red Sea crisis caused disruption to supply chains, according to the latest S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI®. More via The Manufacturer
Government announces £360m to boost British manufacturing and R&D
Ahead of the Spring Budget this week, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today (Monday 4 March) announced a significant investment package in the UK’s life sciences and manufacturing sectors, as part of the government’s plan to grow the economy, boost health resilience and support jobs across the UK.
The funding will go towards several companies and projects who are making cutting edge technology in sectors key to economic growth and part of wider government support to ensure the UK is the best place to start, grow and invest in manufacturing. More via HM Treasury
Newport Wafer Fab: Semiconductor plant takeover gets go-ahead
The takeover of the former Newport Wafer Fab factory has been cleared after years of uncertainty.
MPs and ministers expressed deep national security concerns when the silicon chip plant was bought in July 2021 by Nexperia.
The Dutch-based technology company is a subsidiary of Shanghai-listed Wingtech. More via BBC News
Car industry urges ‘fair tax for a fair transition’ to put EVs back in the fast lane
The automotive industry is calling for the Chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to put the UK’s shift to electric vehicles back in the fast lane, with fair taxes for a fairer transition.
New research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) from Savanta has revealed that rising numbers of would-be EV drivers are now likely to delay their switch to a battery electric car – but a three-point plan of tax reform would recharge the market and accelerate the UK’s progress towards net zero. More via The Manufacturer
UK’s Britten-Norman files notice to appoint administrators
UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman, creator of the Islander plane, has filed a notice to appoint an administrator, sparking concern that the almost 70-year-old company could go under.
The move comes just months after the manufacturer began construction of its flagship aircraft back in its original home on the Isle of Wight for the first time since 1968, with the company stating that the filing would help it to explore options to secure investment needed to support the move and its future plans. More via Airport Technology
Chinese motor-maker Moons sets up UK operation
The Chinese motor manufacturer Moons Industries has set up a UK subsidiary based in Reading, Berkshire.
Moons, founded in 1994, claims to be one of the world’s three largest manufacturers of stepper motors. More via Drives & Controls
UK’s £400m electric bus scheme accused of ‘subsidising China’
A £400m scheme set up to encourage the rollout of electric buses is effectively subsidising Chinese companies to the detriment of British ones, a group of transport businesses have claimed.
Under the so-called Zebra initiative, local authorities and bus operators can apply for grant funding to support the purchase of zero-emission buses. More via The Telegraph
In-Comm Training invests £200,000 into Robotics and Automation training cell
Companies in Telford, Shropshire and Herefordshire are set for an ‘advanced manufacturing’ boost, with In-Comm Training due to launch a new robotic automation cell.
The leading independent training provider, which opened its Telford Technical Academy just over 12 months ago, is investing more than £200,000 through the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and the Marches Education Partnership into creating a dedicated 7-axis robotic training capability that will help firms looking to upskill or reskill workers. More via The Manufacturer
