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 auto sector puts apprentices in the driving seat amid huge investment in workforce for the future
Britain’s automotive industry is helping young people gain the life-changing advantages of car mobility thanks to a new pilot scheme that helps fund driving lessons for new apprentices in the sector.
Drive to Thrive, launched today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Charitable Trust Fund in partnership with automotive charity Ben, is further evidence of industry’s commitment to its workforce – with more than 14,000 new jobs related to the net zero transition being created or expected in the UK thanks to huge investment from auto employers. More via The Manufacturer
UK and South Korea to launch talks on new trade deal as Korean businesses back Britain with £21bn of investment
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch will today launch talks on a modernised trade deal with South Korea to boost trade and strengthen our relationship with a key ally.
It comes as Korean businesses commit £21bn of investment into the UK, backing renewable energy and infrastructure projects across the country and supporting more than 1500 highly skilled jobs. More via GOV UK
Kraft Heinz introduces first 100% recyclable ketchup cap with help from Berry Global
Kraft Heinz, in partnership with Berry Global, has launched its first 100% recyclable ketchup cap.
Historically, Heinz sauce bottles used a flexible silicone valve to deliver a consistent portion of sauce per squeeze, but this was often challenging to recycle. Together with Berry Global Heinz has now switched to a mono-material cap, manufactured in PP. This means it meets requirements for recyclability.
The project has been eight years, 45 prototypes and more than 185,000 hours in development, to ensure the optimum balance between functionality and sustainability. More via The Manufacturer
France signals support for UK call to delay tariffs on electric vehicles
France has signalled that it wants to delay the introduction of tariffs on electric vehicle sales between the UK and EU, removing a big obstacle to a new deal over the levy due to come into effect in January.
Olivier Becht, French trade minister, told the Financial Times in an interview that his country wanted to resolve the issue. France had been the only big voice of opposition within the bloc to the UK’s request to postpone the 10 per cent duty on EV sales. More via Financial Times
Leaders unite to break ground on South Yorkshire’s innovation facility
Industry, academia and government leaders gathered in Sheffield recently to break ground for a University of Sheffield AMRC innovation facility and research project led by global aerospace company Boeing, which will put South Yorkshire at the forefront of UK aerospace manufacturing.
The Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) research facility will house the Boeing-led Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) project dedicated to developing and testing new technologies needed to meet future demand for lighter commercial aircraft and help the aviation industry’s commitment reach net zero by 2050. More via Aerospace Manufacturing
MasterMover wins Product Innovation & Design Category at The Manufacturer MX Awards 2023
MasterMover, the market-leader in electric tug solutions and innovative handling solutions, has won the MX Award for Product Innovation & Design. Organised by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), The Manufacturer MX Awards are widely considered the gold standard in manufacturing awards and are the only peer-reviewed and judged programme of their kind for UK manufacturing.
Headquartered in Derbyshire, UK, MasterMover is a world-leading manufacturer of electric tug and tow tug solutions, designed to improve safety and operational efficiency when moving heavy-wheeled loads. MasterMover focuses on innovation, research and development to provide the widest range of electric tug products on the market. More via MasterMover
Willerby crowned UK’s most sustainable manufacturer
Holiday homes manufacturer Willerby has been recognised as the UK’s most sustainable manufacturer at a highly prestigious awards ceremony.
Hull-based Willerby won the Sustainable Manufacturing Award in The Manufacturer MX Awards 2023 – widely recognised as the “Oscars” of manufacturing.
The awards are run by The Manufacturer, a leading publication focused on manufacturing, in partnership with the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
They are the only peer-reviewed and judged awards of their kind for UK manufacturing. More via The Hull Story
Made Smarter national roll-out to turbo charge digital transformation for SME manufacturers
Made Smarter, a programme helping SME manufacturers access technology and digital skills, is to be rolled out nationally.
The Government has committed to expanding the Made Smarter Adoption Programme to all nine English regions in 2025-26 before working with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2026-27.
The announcement by HM Treasury, on Friday November 17, means hundreds of thousands more SME manufacturers will get access to technology advice, leadership, and skills training, as well as grant funding for digital internships and technology projects. More via The Manufacturer
