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.
Schneider Electric announces expansion in Leeds
Schneider Electric is set to expand operations at its site in Leeds. It will invest £7.2m in a facility upgrade, as well as creating 110 new jobs over the next five years. This significant investment underscores Schneider Electric’s growth trajectory due to rising demand from the energy transition and the Electric Vehicle (EV) market.
It reinforces Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to supporting the UK’s move to decarbonisation and represents a boost to the local green economy. Schneider Electric employs 550 people at its Leeds smart factory and Innovation Hub – more than a tenth of its UK workforce.
The site specialises in designing and manufacturing medium- and low-voltage switchgear solutions, which protect and distribute electricity in public, commercial and industrial installations. The new investment will aim to radically enhance the Leeds facility’s efficiency to support growing demand for these solutions. Find out more at The Manufacturer
In-Comm Training enjoys record engineering apprentice recruitment drive
Interest in engineering apprentices is booming in the West Midlands after In-Comm Training announced a 35% increase in the number of starts this September.
One of the UK’s leading training providers has recruited 199 individuals across its Aldridge and Telford technical academies, with learners starting their careers in machining, robotics, welding, electrical, mechatronics and toolmaking.
Companies, including Ansaldo Nuclear, Altrad Babcock, HS Marston Aerospace, Magna Cosma Castings, Makita, RBSL and Veolia, are taking the long-term approach to beating the current labour and skills shortage by opting to grow their own. Find out more at The Manufacturer
Toyota to provide sustainable mobility for all at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
Toyota, as the worldwide mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC),has unveiled its mobility concept for Paris 2024.
It will provide sustainable mobility solutions to the athletes, officials, volunteers, accredited media and spectators with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability and mobility for all – values shared by Toyota, the IOC, the IPC and the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Toyota’s Ever Better Mobility for All philosophy believes that freedom of movement is fundamental for a diverse society. Toyota is on its way to becoming a mobility company, working to reduce obstacles to movement for all, regardless of their physical abilities. With many thousands of athletes, staff and volunteers, Paris 2024 will be a demonstration of what is possible when we work for a better and more inclusive society.
Yoshihiro Nakata, President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe (TBC) commented:“When everyone is free to move, we are one step closer to the inclusive and sustainable society that Toyota is committed to building. That is what ‘Mobility for All’ means to us at Toyota. We share this vision with the IOC and the IPC. We want to support the athletes who devote their lives to sports and remove barriers to exercise their freedom to move.” Find out more at Toyota
Investor visit to Anglo American’s Crop Nutrients business
Anglo American is this week hosting a number of analysts and investors on a visit to its Crop Nutrients business, centred around the Woodsmith project in North Yorkshire, UK. The visit will highlight Woodsmith’s design as a modern underground mine that will produce a natural mineral fertiliser product, POLY4, which has a very low carbon footprint, is certified for organic use and enables farmers to increase crop yield, enhance crop quality and improve soil structure.
Duncan Wanblad, Chief Executive of Anglo American, said: “Our primary business objective is to secure, develop and operate a portfolio of high quality and long-life mineral assets, from which we will deliver leading shareholder returns, and do so responsibly. In that context, Woodsmith is a great example of a world-class asset, in a low risk jurisdiction, offering long term value-adding growth.
“Woodsmith has major structural advantages given the sheer size and high quality of the orebody and its proximity to logistics. Its scale, low operating costs, low SIB capex, and the clear potential for a premium product price are expected to generate significant cash flow for many decades. Our diversified portfolio caters to three critical demand trends, with Woodsmith expected to become a cornerstone asset that contributes to our programme of margin-enhancing growth.” Find out more at Anglo American
AI technology leader to take over as President of the IET
Artificial Intelligence expert Dr. Gopichand Katragadda has been appointed as the 142nd President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He will be the first Indian in the history of the IET to assume this role, including the first Indian to assume the presidency of a global engineering body.
A seasoned technologist and executive leader, Dr. Gopichand is the Founder of Myelin Foundry – an AI company with a vision to transform human experiences and industry outcomes. He is also an Independent Director of Bosch India Limited and ICICI Securities and a member of the NASSCOM governing council for the Centre of Excellence for Data Science and AI. Find out more at The Manufacturer
Steve Bagshaw appointed chair of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult
The High Value Manufacturing Catapult is pleased to announce the appointment of its new chair Steve Bagshaw CBE. Steve is an experienced senior business leader with 35 years’ experience across the biotechnologies and fine chemical manufacturing sectors.
Most recently, Steve was deputy chair at CPI, one of seven HVM Catapult industrial innovation centres across the UK. An expert industry advisor to the UK Government’s Vaccine Task Force during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve was General Manager and CEO of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies for the previous 13 years.
He was awarded a CBE for services to the manufacturing and biotechnology sector in 2020, is a member of UKRI’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and chairs the BioYorkshire Industrial Advisory Group. Find out more at The Manufacturer
Omar Hoek appointed CEO of The Vita Group
The Vita Group has announced the appointment of Omar Hoek as its new CEO. With a stellar career spanning over three decades across diverse industries, Omar brings a unique blend of cultural leadership, industry expertise, and a deep understanding of market dynamics to the helm of one of Europe’s premier providers of flexible PU foam.
Omar’s career has Included a nearly 20-year tenure at Avery Dennison (the world’s largest packaging and lamination US multinational), and a two-year stint as Director at Newell in Geneva, focusing on the microfiber business. Find out more at The Manufacturer
