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.
Brompton secures funding from Innovate UK to optimise bicycle production
Brompton, the UK’s largest bike company has secured funding from Innovate UK to optimise bicycle production at Brompton’s Greenford site through the development and demonstration of industrial-grade robotic and automation solutions.
The project, called BROM-BOT, involves creating a ‘Robot Sandpit/Playground’ at the Brompton factory in Greenford and leveraging EKC’s robotic learning factory in Canterbury to test integration across several operations in areas such as body shop, paint and assembly. More via The Manufacturer
Vauxhall Vivaro production to start in Luton from 2025
Vauxhall has announced that limited production of its medium electric van – Vivaro Electric – will begin at its Luton manufacturing facility from the first half of 2025.
Limited production of Vivaro Electric, and its equivalent models from other Stellantis brands, will get underway during Spring next year, making Luton the second Stellantis plant in the UK to manufacture electric vehicles (EV) and contributing to meet the growing demand for medium-sized electric vans in the future. More via Stellantis
Barracuda manufacturing moves closer to UK customers
Saab’s Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) is now being partially manufactured in the United Kingdom following a deal with local engineering business Abbey Group.
MCS units for use on the British Army’s Ajax armoured fighting vehicles are being assembled near Liverpool in northwest England. More via Saab
STEM skills event heading to South Yorkshire
Almost 6,000 pupils and educators from the Yorkshire region are set to take part in this year’s ‘Get up to Speed with STEM’ event, to be held at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham on Wednesday 20 March.
This highly interactive event showcases the breadth and diversity of careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and manufacturing), bringing employers together to promote and celebrate the very best of what the region has to offer young people. More via The Manufacturer
Automate UK boss appointed chair of Make UK affiliate partner board
CEO of trade association Automate UK, Peter Williamson, has been appointed as the new chair of the Make UK affiliate partner board.
He will also represent the affiliate partner programme on Make UK’s national membership board. More via Production Engineering Solutions
Trident missile test fails for second time in a row
The test firing of a Trident missile from a Royal Navy submarine has failed, for the second time in a row.
The latest test of the UK’s nuclear deterrent was from HMS Vanguard and was seen by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
The missile’s booster rockets failed and it landed in the sea close to the launch site, according to the Sun, which first reported the malfunction. More via BBC News
ESTC pledges support for sustainable infill drive
The EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) has pledged its support for sustainable alternatives to granular rubber infill as the synthetic turf industry embraces the EU restrictions set to be imposed on the product category.
With a number of manufacturers having developed a variety of alternatives to the commonly-used end-of-life tyre granulate (ELT) infill, the synthetic turf industry is prepared to continue its phased introduction of more sustainable alternatives. More via The Manufacturer
Genesis car brand brought under Hyundai UK’s wing, dealerships opening
Dealers appointed to represent the premium car brand Genesis UK have begun trading this month as the business changes tack from a direct-to-consumer model and becomes a standalone business unit beneath the wing of Hyundai UK.
The changes are hoped to help manage the cost base for Genesis UK and, over time, to provide broadly national coverage that will help more consumers find out about its cars. More via AM Online
