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.
2023 Clark Prize winners announced
The ERA Foundation has announced that this year’s Primary School David Clark Prize has gone to Jenn McEwan from Doonfoot Primary School with the Secondary School Prize being awarded to Isabel Culmer from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College.
The prize recognises teachers who have gone beyond the teaching syllabus and demonstrated a strong track record of showcasing real-world engineering to students while inspiring them to consider engineering as a career. Read more via The Manufacturer
Nissan launch new academy to close the skills gap
A skills partnership between Nissan and Sunderland College that bridges the gap between education and the world of work has been launched. The Nissan Academy, which will be based at the College’s City Campus will see students study for a specialised engineering qualification alongside their GCSEs.
Supported by the college and a team of experts from Nissan, pupils will be able to hone the technical skills needed for a career in advanced manufacturing and engineering. Upon successful completion of the programme, they will be guaranteed an apprenticeship assessment with Nissan.
Academy students will split their time between the College’s technical City Campus and the Nissan plant where they will benefit from access to industry experts, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, as well as unique projects and experiences. Read more via Nissan
Anglo American and Jiangxi Copper collaborate on responsible copper
Anglo American and Jiangxi Copper Company, one of China’s largest copper producers, have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to provide greater assurance on the way copper is mined, processed, and brought to market.
The agreement was signed during a visit to Jiangxi Copper’s headquarters in Nanchang, China, and is part of Anglo American’s work with customers to create sustainable value chains beyond its own mining operations, recognising consumers’ increasing expectations for sustainably sourced and supplied raw materials.
Peter Whitcutt, CEO of Anglo American’s Marketing business, said: “We are developing a series of partnerships to shape a more sustainable and customer-centric value chain – one that meets consumer-driven demand for copper with demonstrably strong provenance credentials. That value chain begins with our portfolio of high-quality and long-life assets, now also including our world-class Quellaveco mine in Peru which began production in 2022.” Read more via Anglo-American
Smartcom Solutions invests over £500,000 in state-of-the-art machinery
A Warwickshire manufacturer has invested over £500,000 in a state-of-the-art machine and added four employees to its workforce. Smartcom Solutions, which was set-up in 2001, has been based in Bourne End, Southam, for around 20 years and specialises in CNC sheet metal work for the telecoms, electrical enclosure and automotive industry. The business has been steadily growing but relied on a seven-year-old laser cutting machine to carry out the majority of its work.
Owner Matthew Commander contacted Jim Clark, Account Manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, to find out if there were any grants available towards a £567,000 AMADA fibre laser cutting machine. Read more via The Manufacturer
Advanced tech for next generation flying combat air demonstrator
Engineers from the UK’s leading combat air industry partners have released more details about work taking place to deliver the UK’s first flying combat air demonstrator for a generation.
Experts from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK, MBDA and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are collaborating with a range of British small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop the technologies needed to deliver the UK’s next generation supersonic stealth combat aircraft, Tempest.
The Flying Technology Demonstrator, first announced by the UK Government in July 2022, is set to fly within the next four years and is being designed using a range of innovative digital techniques and transformative processes, combined with the expertise of the UK’s world-class defence industry. Read more via Rolls-Royce
Paul Clarke named as new DS Smith MD for UK and Ireland’s Packaging Division
DS Smith, the FTSE100 company and global leader in sustainable packaging, has announced the appointment of Paul Clarke as Managing Director within the UK and Ireland’s Packaging Division.
DS Smith has a pioneering approach to new product innovation across materials and design; with a commitment to working within the circular economy and the opportunity for packaging to play a powerful role in a changing world.
Clarke who was formerly Operations Director for the Packaging Division will improve collaborative structures across DS Smith, unlocking value across our end-to-end supply chain. New product development and innovation, design and research teams are all on the agenda; working closely with customers to develop lasting and market changing solutions with bespoke packaging and product development. Read more via The Manufacturer
Industry award for British Steel’s Special Profiles business
Colleagues from British Steel’s Special Profiles business were overjoyed to receive a Special Recognition Award for Ongoing Engineering at the Plantworx Innovation Awards earlier this week. This coveted industry award recognised their revolutionary work in laser detection of surface defects.
David Waine, Commercial Director for Special Profiles, said: “This recognition for engineering excellence is so well deserved. The work the team has done to create our bespoke solution is nothing short of ground-breaking – it’s taken a lot of dedication, creativity and determination to give both the business and our customers absolute confidence in our product quality.
“Huge congratulations to all involved, this industry recognition is a true testament to your outstanding expertise, very well done.” Read more via British Steel
