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.
Britain’s fastest passenger train gets a makeover
The first of 29 refurbished high-speed trains on Southeastern’s flagship route between London St Pancras and Kent has re-entered service – heralding a £27m upgrade for Britain’s fastest passenger trains as part of the train operator’s commitment to deliver a better, more reliable, and more sustainable service.
Unit 395012, well-known to many as the ‘Trainbow’, entered the train operator’s Ashford train maintenance depot on 12 June to have interior refresh work carried out, and emerged from the workshops today to be followed by another 28 trains over the coming months. Find out more at The Manufacturer
Diageo to invest £26m in NI facility expansion
Diageo has received planning permission from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for a £26m extension of its Baileys global supply facility in Mallusk, Northern Ireland, UK.
The facility is one of two global production sites of the Baileys brand, producing over 60 million bottles of Baileys each year, which are distributed to 150 countries across the world. It is one of three Diageo sites in Northern Ireland, which includes a beer canning and packaging facility in East Belfast and its headquarters located in Belfast city centre.
Approval of the expansion will enable Diageo to improve its logistics and warehousing facilities, according to the company. Work on the multi-year project is expected to begin in early 2024. Find out more at FoodBev Media
Irish engineering company chooses Chesterfield for UK HQ
One of Ireland’s leading industrial automation and electrical engineering companies has opened its UK headquarters in the centre of Chesterfield.
NeoDyne’s newly recruited team, based at the company’s state-of-the-art Spire Walk office, was joined at the launch by Toby Perkins MP, Shadow Minister for Skills and Further Education; local councillors Jenny Flood and Keith Miles, Deputy Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council Amanda Serjeant; and Dom Stevens from Destination Chesterfield. Find out more at East Midlands Business Link
Yeovil based Pittards looks for buyer amid union calls for government help
Trade unions representing workers at leather goods firm Pittards have urged the Government to do more to support UK manufacturers, as the troubled Somerset firm looks to find a buyer.
Yeovil-based Pittards announced its intention to appoint administrators last week (August 8) after failing to raise £1m it said was needed to continue trading.
Bosses at the historic firm, which employs around 150 people in the UK and 900 in Ethiopia, said the company has been struggling with the wider economic downturn in recent months, amid fluctuating exchange rates from the end of last year, rising energy prices, and a post-pandemic fall in demand for its products. Find out more at Business Live
Jobs created as Chinese firm chooses Fife for first UK factory
Up to 20 jobs could be created after a Chinese-based manufacturing company chose Fife as its UK base.
Sunhope Packaging Machinery (UK) Ltd is the new division established by Sunhope Packaging Machinery (Zhenjiang) Co. Ltd.
The business, based in Zhenjiang City in the Jiangsu province, has chosen to set up its UK operations in a unit at Southfield Industrial Estate in Glenrothes. Find out more at The Courier
Midlands manufacturer launches new shift to attract part-time workers
A Midlands manufacturing business is taking an innovative approach to labour shortages by introducing a new shift aimed at attracting part-time workers.
It’s the first time in two decades that Fabweld Steel Products (FSP), which manufactures access covers for the water, energy and security sectors, has restructured its shift system.
The company is hoping to increase its headcount with part-time staff working a 6pm-10pm shift for the first time in a move which it hopes will be attractive to those looking for flexibility or second jobs. Find out more at The Manufacturer
Coventry fire protection manufacturer looking to grow UK presence in post-Grenfell market
Coventry-based aluminium systems manufacturer, specialising in fire protection for the construction industry, is looking to grow its presence in the UK in a post-Grenfell market and help the country achieve its net-zero goals.
Aluflam, which was founded in Denmark in 1946, was recently licenced to trade in the UK market, and its products are already being used in high-rises and commercial premises all over the country. Find out more at Bdaily News
100 jobs at risk as Graham & Brown ends Blackburn manufacturing
Wallpaper group Graham & Brown has announced plans to close its traditional manufacturing site at India Mill in Blackburn, which could lead to the loss of around 100 jobs.
The closure is part of a new manufacturing strategy unveiled today, which includes increased investment in digital capabilities at a new state-of-the-art, low carbon production site in Padiham. Find out more at Lancashire Business View
