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, Italy and Japan sign next-gen fighter programme agreement
The national defence industry leaders on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – Leonardo (Italy), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) and BAE Systems (UK) – have warmly welcomed the signing of the Convention on the Establishment of the “Global Combat Air Programme – GCAP International Government Organisation (the GIGO)” by their respective governments.
Ministers from Italy, Japan and UK signed the treaty, which marks an important agreement in the shared design and development of a next generation fighter aircraft by 2035. The agreement, signed just 12 months since the formation of the GCAP programme, reinforces its momentum and the strong trilateral cooperation amongst the partners. More via The Manufacturer
Rolls-Royce reaches agreement-in-principle with Deutz AG to take over the lower-power-range engines business
Rolls-Royce and Deutz AG are in positive discussions for the sale of the off-highway engines business in the lower power range up to 480 kW to Deutz AG for a price in the high double-digit million Euros. This relates to diesel engines and engine systems using Daimler technology which are developed and manufactured by Daimler Truck AG for Rolls-Royce Power Systems to its specifications and used mainly in agricultural vehicles and construction machinery, not in rolling stock or in military vehicles. More via Rolls-Royce
Cummins partners with University of Manchester to develop future power solutions
Global power leader, Cummins, has entered a five-year strategic partnership with The University of Manchester.
The collaboration will support the development of future engineering talent, as well as drive the development of innovative and sustainable power solutions. More via The Manufacturer
Holiday home manufacturer Willerby set to axe 200 jobs in Hull
About 200 jobs are under threat at holiday homes manufacturer Willerby after the company decided to cut production due to a decline in sales.
The Hull-based business, which employs about 1,100 people, said a consultation with workers is under way that could ‘potentially result in a reduction of around 200 jobs’. More via The Yorkshire Post
Maritime tech firm targets industrial market after receiving King’s Award for Enterprise
An innovative Coventry company which uses ultrasound to help ships become more energy efficient is set to branch out into the industrial market following a presentation of one of the most prestigious awards in the business world.
Sonihull, whose products prevent marine life binding to ships’ hulls without the use of harmful chemicals, was the only Coventry recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise, which it received in the International Trade Category. More via The Manufacturer
Phase II demolition underway for UK’s largest open-die forging line at Sheffield Forgemasters
Phase two of a demolition project has started at Sheffield Forgemasters to make way for the UK’s largest open-die forging line.
Unused buildings on the Sheffield Forgemasters site, north of Brightside Lane, are being removed as the second phase of work gets underway to create space for a new 13,000-tonne Heavy Forge and its 12,700 sq m housing.
Victorian-era Forge and Foundry buildings will make way for the new facility, creating one of the most efficient open-die forging operations in Europe and the largest in the UK. More via Sheffield Forgemasters
Trickiest Christmas items to recycle – and expert advice on what you can do instead
DS Smith’s seasonal sustainability lead, Samantha Upham, shares her top tips for recycling the most common festive items to help us all be a little more sustainable this Christmas. More via DS Smith
Airbus Helicopters and German Armed Forces sign largest H145M contract
The German Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters have signed a contract for the purchase of up to 82 multi-role H145M helicopters (62 firm orders plus 20 options). This is the largest order ever placed for the H145M and consequently the largest for the HForce weapon management system. The contract also includes seven years of support and services, ensuring optimal entry into service. The German Army will receive fifty-seven helicopters, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will receive five. More via Airbus
