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.
Turbocharge UK competitiveness to win Race to Zero prize, auto industry urges
Britain’s ability to compete as an electric vehicle (EV) production leader is at risk unless government responds urgently to increasingly fierce international competition, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warns in a new blueprint published today.
The call comes as other countries significantly power up political and economic backing for their own automotive sectors, positioning themselves at the front of the queue for investment. Read more via The Manufacturer
Rolls-Royce submits plans for 200,000 sq ft of office and manufacturing space
Rolls-Royce has lodged plans with Derby City Council to create major new office space at its submarines business in the city.
The company has submitted an outline planning application to replace the South Wing building at its Raynesway site, which has been deemed as no longer fit for purpose.
Rolls-Royce is proposing to replace it with a new four-storey building, which will provide more than 200,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space. Read more via The Business Desk
STEM roadshow demonstrates wonders of space to school pupils
The UK’s longest-running science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roadshow for schools has launched its 18th annual season with space as its central theme for 2023.
Delivered jointly by BAE Systems, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the schools roadshow, which began in 2005, visits more than 420 schools across the UK each year to inspire excitement in STEM subjects. Read more via The Manufacturer
Jaguar set to slash number of UK dealers to ‘under 20’ in just TWO YEARS
British car manufacturer Jaguar is set to drastically cut its dealer network from more than 80 today to less than 20 in just two years.
The car manufacturer has told its dealer partners that it doesn’t need a large number of the sites anymore as it transitions to an all-electric future.
At an investor meeting for its car dealers recently, the car maker told its partners it would be drastically reducing its numbers across the country. Read more via Car Dealer Magazine
Leonardo Helicopters: Yeovil MP urges Rishi Sunak to award £1.2bn MOD contract to local firm
The MP for Yeovil has urged Rishi Sunak to buy British and award a £1.2bn battlefield helicopter contract to Leonardo Helicopters. Marcus Fysh says he has been backing the Yeovil company’s bid for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) deal across all levels of Government, including in discussions with the prime minister.
Leonardo is one of four firms downlisted for the contract to build up to 44 new aircraft for the British armed forces as it prepares to retire its current Puma fleet. The local firm is battling for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme with international competitors Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Airbus. Read more via Somerset Live
New report identifies cost-effective modular automotive manufacturing solution
A newly released insight report by the Technology Trends team at the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) takes an in-depth look into the future opportunities around the use of batteries and fuel cells for large premium SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicle) and vans, establishing which technology could be competitive based on installed cost and mileage potential by 2030. It remains open as to whether fuel cells or batteries would be best for more demanding journeys, however, this report offers some clarity over future costs, technology progression and sensitivities. Read more via The Manufacturer
Babcock’s LGE business crowned ‘Business of the Year’ at Maritime UK Awards 2023
Babcock’s LGE business is celebrating winning ‘Business of the Year’ at the Maritime UK Awards, in recognition of its success of developing and delivering multiple new products resulting in significant growth over the past five years.
The business is going from strength to strength having scored more than 50 contract wins this financial year for the design and supply of cargo handling system for marine transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Ethane and Fuel Gas Supply Systems (FGSS) all using in-house developed and patented technology. Read more via Babcock International
Toyota uses hydrogen technology to accelerate factory decarbonisation
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is working with industry partners to use hydrogen and renewable energy to decarbonise factories. It has recently developed new electrolysing equipment that produces hydrogen from water, using the fuel cell stack and other technologies from the Mirai fuel cell electric saloon.
This equipment will be put into operation during March in a DENSO plant in Japan and will serve as a working demonstration designed to help promote its wider uptake in the future. Read more via Toyota
