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 factory growth hits seven-month low due to supply chain disruptions
The ongoing supply chain disruption and labour shortage has constrained growth in the UK manufacturing sector, new data has shown. According to IHS Markit’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI), the rate of expansion last month fell to its weakest since February, hitting a seven month low.
The PMI slipped to 57.1 in September, down from 60.3 the previous month, but beating flash estimates of 56.3. Any reading over 50 indicates growth. Manufacturing production increased for the 16th consecutive month in September, however, in addition to the supply chain delays, the slowdown was caused by an easing of new orders and rising costs of materials. More via Yahoo News
Iconic red crates in the Netherlands now made from 97% recycled plastic
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Netherlands has announced that that its iconic red crates will now be made with 97% recycled plastic.
This innovative move is a collaboration between CCEP, local recycler Healix, and crate producer Schoeller Allibert, using 85% old red crates and 15% recycled tulip nets, which are usually difficult to recycle.
The red crates are specifically designed for the company’s returnable glass bottles, which in turn are designed to be reused at least 25 times. The glass bottles are cleaned and refilled in the Coca-Cola factory in Dongen, Brabant, before returning to the Dutch wholesale and hospitality. More via Coca-Cola
Reading Buses orders 53 Alexander Dennis buses including next-generation Enviro400EV electrics
Alexander Dennis has announced that English bus operator Reading Buses has confirmed new orders for 24 zero-emission and 29 low-emission buses.
The 24 next-generation Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV double deckers will be the operator’s first batch of electric buses. They are the result of a successful bid with Reading Borough Council for funding from the second round of the UK government’s Zero-Emission Regional Bus Areas scheme (ZEBRA 2). More via Alexander Dennis
Changes to UK sugar beet seed model announced
NFU Sugar and British Sugar have announced reforms to the UK sugar beet seed model which will give growers more choice and flexibility, support innovation and address recurring issues with growers’ access to seed, while preserving the most effective parts of the existing model.
Changes will be made to growers’ contracts from 2025, following feedback from growers about availability of seed, as well as changes to how British Sugar (via the UK Seed Account) markets seed. More via British Sugar
AkzoNobel announces €3m investment in site near Gateshead
AkzoNobel has announced a significant €3m investment in its Felling site, near Gateshead, which will further enhance the business’s powder coatings manufacturing capabilities.
Rolling out over the next three years, the ambitious step will allow for continued growth of the powder coatings business. As part of the move, AkzoNobel will streamline operations by creating a single, dedicated Powder Coatings customer service centre in Felling. This move will foster closer collaboration between the customer operations team and the manufacturing site, thereby increasing market speed whilst providing a seamless customer experience. More via The Manufacturer
Gloucestershire company celebrates 40 years of manufacturing excellence
A company that began life in Ross-on-Wye in 1984 is celebrating 40 years of manufacturing at an anniversary event and agri-conference. Starting in a Ross-on-Wye farm building in 1984, where the Scudamore family initially designed Rollerscreens for their dairy operations, Galebreaker has grown into a significant enterprise.
Now headquartered in a 40,000 sq. ft facility at New Mills industrial estate in Ledbury, the company continues to innovate with products that enhance both human and animal environments, such as the Variable Ventilation System and Industrial Wind Shields.
Speaking at the event, owner and Managing Director, Jeremy Scudamore said: “Over the past 40 years, we’ve navigated challenges and seized opportunities that have propelled us forward as industry leaders.” More via The Forester
Pharmaceutical glass production facility in UK confirmed
The creation of a pharmaceutical glass manufacturing facility in St Helens, UK has been confirmed. Speaking at the Furnace Solutions conference last week, the St Helens Council Leader Anthony Burns confirmed that the application to build the plant had been approved.
He told delegates at the glass-focused conference at the Totally Wicked rugby league stadium about plans for a £500m Life Sciences Investment Zone in the Liverpool city area. This would include the redevelopment of land formerly used by the glass industry to expand the area’s manufacturing and innovation capabilities. More via Glass International
Aiming to ‘unlock more opportunities’ for additive manufacturing
Stratasys has announced a number of updates to its polymer additive manufacturing (AM) products and business units in a bid to ‘unlock more opportunities and functionality for additive manufacturing.’
The 3D printing company state that updates to its Industrial and Healthcare Business Unit products and Stratasys Direct include a new open platform for the F900 3D printer, more on-demand 3D printing capabilities and new high-performance materials.
“In making these upgrades and enhancements, we are taking and applying feedback from our customers to help them better meet their additive manufacturing needs,” said Rich Garrity, Chief Industrial Business Officer, Stratasys. “Additive manufacturing is on the cusp of a new era, where it works side-by-side with traditional means of manufacturing. Bringing new products and updates, increases our ability to become part of the manufacturing ecosystem.” More via Impossible Objects
Rockwell Automation showcases smart battery manufacturing
Rockwell Automation has announced its participation in The Battery Show Europe, 18-20 June, in Stuttgart, Germany. At this highly anticipated trade fair, the company will be showcasing its latest solutions driving the next generation of smart battery manufacturing.
Visitors to the show will be able to explore innovative solutions that are transforming factory operations in this segment, from connecting equipment and integrating facilities with enterprise systems, to enabling the digital battery passport across the supply chain. More via Rockwell Automation
