Daily Manufacturing News Digest – the industry stories you should be aware of today

Posted on 20 Feb 2024 by The Manufacturer

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.

Collaboration powers growth for Welsh manufacturers

AMRC Cymru is partnering with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to lead Welsh businesses towards a smart, sustainable, and resilient future.

The collaboration combines the world-class teams of AMRC Cymru and UWTSD to support manufacturers across Wales with digital tools and technology advancements to help sharpen their competitive edge. More via The Manufacturer

Aston Martin to create 400 new manufacturing jobs at Gaydon and St Athan facilities

Aston Martin is to increase employment across its UK manufacturing facilities, with the recruitment of more than 400 technicians to support production of its next generation of sports cars and the DBX707 luxury SUV.

The launch of the new Vantage and DB12, coupled with the introduction of further new models in 2024 and continued demand for the critically acclaimed DBX707 has enabled Aston Martin to increase its advanced manufacturing workforce at both its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire and the DBX707 manufacturing facility in St Athan, South Wales. More via Aston Martin

New tool launched to navigate the UK’s world-leading AI landscape

Navigating the UK’s artificial intelligence research and innovation ecosystem becomes easier with new interactive digital map by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

WAIFinder, a new interactive digital map, has been developed and led by UKRI with support from Nesta, the innovation agency for social good. More via UK Research and Innovation

West Midlands Global Growth Programme opens for applications

The West Midlands’ official investment promotion agency has launched its 2024 Global Growth Programme – a unique, nine-month package of free market entry support, providing international companies with a springboard to success in the region.

Developed by the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC), the programme aims to boost investment in the West Midlands from overseas tech businesses through access to the ultimate suite of support, designed to accelerate their UK growth journey. More via The Manufacturer

JLR explores EV manufacturing in India for the world

Amid intense ongoing negotiation of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, JLR (formerly Jaguar Land Rover), the marquee brand owned by Tata Motors, is exploring the potential of manufacturing electric vehicles in India.

The discussion, which is at an advanced stage of conclusion, if given the green light, will create the biggest manufacturing facility for JLR outside of the UK. The investment is likely to be made in Sanand, Gujarat, however, the company is exploring other alternatives, including Pune – its original home base. More via Autocar Professional

British AI champion explores foreign sale

The British microchip champion Graphcore is exploring a sale to foreign owners after struggling to cash in on the artificial intelligence boom.

Industry sources said Graphcore has been discussing a potential deal with major tech companies as it seeks to raise new funding to cover heavy losses. More via The Telegraph

Leonardo kicks off space cloud project for Italian MOD

Leonardo has announced that it has been asked by the Italian Government to develop a space architecture that can deliver high-performance compute and storage capacity in space.

Supercomputers, artificial intelligence, and cloud are aboard a constellation of cybersecure satellites orbiting the Earth as part of the “Military Space Cloud Architecture” (MILSCA) study project assigned to Leonardo by the Italian Ministry of Defense (through the contractual agency Teledife), part of the National Military Research Plan (PNRM). More via The Manufacturer

Babcock unveiled as headline sponsor for code-breaking challenge

Babcock is delighted to be named as headline sponsor for the Army Benevolent Fund’s (ABF) flagship fundraising event, Operation Bletchley.

Each year people from across the world take part in the physical and mental challenge this event offers, raising vital funds to support soldiers, veterans and their immediate families. More via Babcock

GF Machining Solutions appoints new sales manager for Ireland region

GF Machining Solutions, the milling, EDM, laser and additive manufacturing (AM) machine tool specialist and advanced automation and tooling systems’ supplier, has appointed Gary Purcell as its new country sales manager for Northern and Southern Ireland.

Previously employed as an applications engineering manager at Waterford-based Schivo Medical, an innovative contract manufacturing organisation specialising in the medical device and life sciences sectors, and with considerable sales experience from working in and across Ireland’s and Europe’s medical device and mass spectrometry manufacturing supply chains, Mr Purcell, a seasoned sales professional, joined GF Machining Solutions in February 2024. More via Production Engineering Solutions