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.
Orbex expands facilities in preparation for UK mainland’s first vertical rocket launch
UK-based spaceflight company, Orbex, has extended its footprint by over thirty per cent across its Scottish and Danish design and production facilities, in preparation for the launch of its Prime rocket.
The company is adding an extra 1,500 square metres of factory and office space to its existing 4,750 square metre estate in Forres, Scotland and Copenhagen, Denmark. The additional space will increase the company’s launch vehicle production and propulsion system manufacturing capacity and add an extra software laboratory and an avionics clean room space with ISO 8 and ISO 9 sections. Read more via The Manufacturer
Buses fit for a King as Reading Buses relaunches Windsor Express network with Alexander Dennis Enviro400 fleet
Alexander Dennis has announced that it has supplied seven new Enviro400 to Reading Buses and its sister company Thames Valley Buses.
The new double deck buses introduce new identities for the companies’ Windsor Express routes, formerly known as Green Line. The 702 between Legoland and the capital becomes the London Line, while sister route 703 from Bracknell to Heathrow Airport is now the Flight Line. Both run directly past the royal residence at Windsor Castle. Read more via Alexander Dennis
Large UK house builder reopens timber frame factory
One of the largest house builders in the UK has reopened the timber frame manufacturing facility it acquired as part of a merger last year.
Vistry has reopened what it described as a “mega facility” in the East Midlands, which it took ownership of as part of its combination with Countryside Partnerships. Read more via Inside Housing
FANUC helps Recycleye revolutionise waste handling with AI robotic picking technology
Support from automation specialist FANUC UK has helped a growing recycling tech company revolutionise the waste management sector with its AI-powered approach to sorting recyclable materials.
London-based Recycleye uses proprietary AI vision technology in conjunction with FANUC 6-axis LR Mate robots to automate the detection and sorting of dry mixed recyclables, traditionally a largely manual process. Read more via The Manufacturer
JCB launches full electric wheeled loader at Somerset event
The first full electric loader from JCB has been launched in Somerset. The wheeled loader has the capacity for all day work on a single charge with low noise and zero-emission operation for customers. The machine boasts the largest standard battery pack in its class, with a 20kWh capacity, with productivity matching the popular 403 diesel model. Read more via South West Farmer
Double recognition for MTC Training apprentice in Enginuity Skills Awards
An MTC Training apprentice has been named as SME Apprentice of the Year and winner of the top accolade, Best of British, in the 2023 Enginuity Skills Awards.
The two honours, presented to Anisha Roberts at the Park Plaza in London, recognise the 31 year-old apprentice’s inspirational journey into the engineering world, as well as her dedication to the profession. Read more via The Manufacturer
Burger King supplier Dovecote Park plans green belt factory expansion
Meat processor Dovecote Park is hoping to gain permission to expand two of its Yorkshire-based chilling facilities onto green belt land.
The meat supplier first made the application to expand onto green belt land to North Yorkshire Council in January 2023, requesting permission to start work on “extensions to the despatch chiller and dry aged chiller.” Read more via Food Manufacture
