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.
AI-powered tool to simplify navigating electromechanical repair and maintenance standards
The Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) is working with the British Standards Institute (BSI) and UKRI’s Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, to develop an AI-powered tool to help electromechanical repair specialists ensure they repair hazardous area motors to the correct standard.
The tool, which is being developed with some funding and support from Innovate UK, will enable engineers repairing rotating electrical equipment to clarify technical requirements through an easy-to-operate chatbot-style interface. More via The Manufacturer
Ford Puma and Transit Custom lift car and van 2023 sales crowns
The Ford Puma car and Ford Transit Custom van are top of the 2023 sales leader board announced today.
More than 49,500 new Ford Pumas were delivered last year. Meanwhile, the Transit Custom was the UK’s top-selling commercial vehicle in 2023. Plug-in hybrid and all-electric variants of the Transit Custom are available now, while an all-electric Puma is due to be revealed in 2024. More via Ford
Leonardo engineer receives International Aviation Award
Leonardo’s Simon Tutcher has been awarded the Sir Ralph Robins Medal Award at this year’s Royal Aeronautical Society’s Honours, Medals and Awards ceremony in London.
Simon received the award for his key technical leadership role within the company, being responsible for the type design of new variants and the continuing airworthiness of the 170-strong fleet of in-service aircraft. More via The Manufacturer
BAE Systems secures US Army howitzer contract
BAE Systems has signed an agreement with the U.S Army for M777 lightweight howitzer major structures, under an Undefinitized Contract Action (UCA), which is currently limited to $50m. This allows BAE Systems to start delivering on the programme, while finalizing the details of the contract and its total value with the customer. More via BAE Systems
JCB X Series chosen for €65m Limerick rail project
A leading Irish groundworks and civil engineering specialist has bought a brand new JCB 245XR tracked excavator to work on a major €65 million rail project in Limerick.
County Clare-based Mushroom Civil Ltd has purchased the new reduced tailswing model which initially worked on the Dunkettle Interchange roadbuilding scheme near Cork. More via JCB
German manufacturer to move UK and Ireland HQ to Houlton
A German-based electrical components manufacturer is moving its UK and Ireland headquarters this year.
WAGO, which has ambitious expansion plans, will move to an all-purpose 4.5 acre site in Houlton, Warwickshire. WAGO has been at its current base at Triton Park in Rugby since 1980. More via Warwickshire World
First private Moon spacecraft to carry instrument built by UK scientists
An instrument built by UK scientists will be carried by a private spacecraft that will be the first to land on the Moon.
US space company Astrobiotic has built the Peregrine Mission One (PM1), which is set to become the first private probe to land on the lunar surface. More via The National
