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 eases in November
The UK manufacturing industry downturn eased in November, with industry potentially turning a corner as the end of the year approaches, according to the latest S&P Global / CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI®.
In November, the seasonally adjusted UK Manufacturing PMI rose to 47.2, up from October’s reading of 44.8 and higher than the earlier flash estimate of 46.7. A reading below 50 suggests contraction in the sector and we have now been in this territory for 16 months. More via The Manufacturer
Babcock introduces international apprentice exchange programme
Babcock International has teamed up with PGZ-SW shipyard in Gdynia, Poland to launch a new international apprentice exchange programme.
Building on Babcock’s Skills Academy, launched earlier this year to provide learning opportunities and equip our workforce to meet the evolving challenges our customers will face in the future, the Polish programme is set to grow international collaboration and shared learning. More via Babcock International
Family-run Teesside manufacturer sets itself a £50m target
A family-run Teesside company has set itself at £50m target as it plans to double in size – again.
In just over three years, steel door manufacturer Metador has doubled in size to become one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of products for the construction industry. More via Yahoo! News
UK businesses to build over 350km of new critical drainage system in Iraq
The UK government has secured financing for the construction of a drainage network over 350km long which will bring clean water to tens of thousands of residents in the Al-Hillah district of Iraq, to the south of Baghdad.
The transaction is expected to support over £100m in UK export contracts, which make up almost half of the total project value. Turning to the country which gave the world its first modern sewage system, the project will procure equipment and related installation services from the UK. More via The Manufacturer
Volta Trucks saved but bulk of 600 UK workers are currently out of a job
Volta, the electric truck start-up, has been bought out of administration by one of its biggest creditors but the bulk of its 600 UK workers are out of a job – for the moment at least.
The value of the deal was not divulged but it is typical in such circumstances for the business to have been snapped up for a token sum. More via Sky News
Rolls-Royce unveils Space Micro-Reactor model for Moon exploration
Rolls-Royce unveiled a nuclear Space Micro-Reactor Concept Model at the UK Space Conference in Belfast last week. It is part of the UK Space Agency backed research programme to deliver an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor.
The UK Space Conference was the ideal place to reveal the Micro-Reactor model, which generated cross-industry interest – including a visit from European Space Agency Astronaut, Major Tim Peake. The Rolls-Royce Novel Nuclear team were delighted to talk Tim through the model and the applications of our technology in Space. More via Rolls-Royce
EV manufacturer Nio opens 30th European battery swap station
Nio, which is planning to bring its cars and electric vehicle battery swap technology to the UK, has reached the milestone of opening 30 Power Swap Stations across five European markets.
The EV manufacturer’s USP is that the stations enable drivers to exchange their depleted battery for a fully-charged one in less than five minutes.
While in August it confirmed it would not launch in the UK until it has developed the infrastructure to offer battery swaps here, it has just opened two PSSs in Malmo and Arlandastad, Sweden. More via Fleet News
Airbus starts Galileo Second Generation satellite production
Full production has begun on the six Galileo Second Generation (G2) satellites at Airbus’ site in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with the arrival of the first satellite Flight Model structure from Beyond Gravity in Zurich. After initial preparation the panels will be dispatched to other Airbus sites before final integration and testing at Friedrichshafen. The Galileo G2 satellites are scheduled for launch in the coming years to support the initial deployment and validation of the G2 System. More via Airbus
