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 poised to put pedal to the metal as opportunities abound for UK in turnaround of EV sales trends
The UK could place itself at the forefront of a global turnaround in EV sales trends by embracing five key upcoming developments, according to the latest Demand Report by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC).
The report outlines five major developments that could see the UK accelerate itself into pole position as a global automotive leader in the journey to zero-emission vehicles. More via The Manufacturer
Tata steelworkers vote to strike as company plans to axe blast furnaces in south Wales
Steelworkers have voted to strike over planned job cuts.
Unite said around 1,500 of its members based in Port Talbot and Llanwern in South Wales backed industrial action “decisively”. The union is fighting owner Tata’s plans to shut blast furnaces and replace them with “greener” electric arc furnaces. More via The Mirror
Volkswagen electric car sales plunge as Europe returns to petrol
Sales of Volkswagen electric cars have plunged by almost a quarter in Europe as demand for battery-powered vehicles stalls and buyers return to petrol.
Electric vehicle (EV) sales fell by 24% in the first three months of the year as high inflation and rising energy prices dampened demand. More via The Press
£1.6m power device packaging facility for the UK
A £1.6m packaging facility for power devices has officially opened at the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult in Newport, South Wales.
The power packaging facility is the first of its kind in an open access setting in the UK and will be used improve the performance of silicon and compound semiconductor technologies. More via eeNews Power
Williams launches new company to solve clients’ engineering challenges
Williams has announced the launch of a new company that will apply the cutting-edge innovation and technologies of F1 to tackling clients’ engineering challenges in other sectors.
Drawing on lessons learned over almost 50 years at the pinnacle of motorsport, Williams Grand Prix Technologies will bring a laser focus to solving clients’ problems using world-leading engineering capabilities. More via The Manufacturer
Manufacturer snaps up distributor in first acquisition
A manufacturer specialising in castors and wheels, backed by PHD Industrial Holdings, has acquired a distributor in the same industry.
The purchase of Varley Castors, who have a base in Shropshire, marks the first acquisition by BIL Group, headquartered in Wiltshire, facilitated by a £4.5m finance package from Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending. More via The Business Desk
Irish packaging company Zeus acquires UK manufacturer in latest deal
Irish packaging firm Zeus has acquired UK company Weedon Group for an undisclosed sum.
Weedon Group, based in Manchester and Staffordshire, is a manufacturer of corrugated packaging. It employs over 250 people, with annual revenues of around £30m. More via Irish Independent
Unimed Procurement Services secures £1.3m trade finance package to send lifelines around the world
Leicester-based Unimed Procurement Services has secured a £1.3m trade finance package with the help of UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Barclays.
The financing has allowed Unimed to fulfil a major delivery of over 350 ultrasound machines to Latin America and expand its international reach. More via The Manufacturer
