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.
Disused railway tunnel to become world-leading test facility for self-driving vehicles
A disused railway tunnel in Northamptonshire is set to become a world-leading test facility for the self-driving vehicles of tomorrow.
The 2.7km Catesby Tunnel has officially joined CAM Testbed UK, a global centre for the innovation and development of connected and self-driving vehicle technologies. More via The Manufacturer
Airbus to hire 400 British engineers in race against crisis-hit Boeing
Airbus is to hire 400 engineers at its wing manufacturing plant in Wales as the company races to extend its lead over crisis-hit Boeing in the market for single-aisle jets.
Additional staff will be required at the plant in Broughton, near Chester, as Airbus transforms a building that made wings for the A380 superjumbo into a production line for the best-selling A320neo model. More via The Telegraph
Northamptonshire firm becomes UK’s sole manufacturer of wooden cutlery
ASK Packaginghas announced the launch of its groundbreaking project to become the only manufacturer of wooden cutlery in the UK. Based in the heart of Northamptonshire, the company is dedicated to producing eco-friendly birchwood wooden cutlery alongside a diverse range of environmentally conscious products. More via Northampton Chronicle
British tech company wins government backing for coloured flax fibre
British technology company Hypetex has been awarded a significant grant from Innovate UK to develop the world’s first technical coloured flax fibre, which will have applications in the sustainable manufacturing of cars, boats and other products that are usually made with carbon fibre. More via The Manufacturer
Raspberry Pi sets IPO jam for June
The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Raspberry Pi is now set for June 2024, and $40m is expected to be raised.
The confirmation was published by the London Stock Exchange, itself likely delighted to be listing the company considering the fall of its share of funds raised in IPOs in Europe. More via The Register
UK shops run out of Lucozade after Gloucestershire factory shut
The UK could face a shortage of Lucozade this summer following a fatal accident at a Gloucestershire factory that has halted its production line for up to five months. Retailers have warned that their stocks will begin to deplete from next month, with full production not anticipated to resume until September.
The main factory located in Coleford – responsible for producing a billion bottles of the sports drink annually – was shut down in April after a 50 year old worker lost his life. Production across 31 lines, including the popular new Blucozade drink, was suspended. More via Gloucestershire Live
Danone invests €70m in medical nutrition
Danone has announced a €70m investment into its first production line in France focused on medical nutrition.
The majority of the investment – €60m – will be used to produce nearly 30 recipes of Danone’s oral nutritional supplement for patients, under its specialised nutrition range of Nutricia. More via The Manufacturer
