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 aircraft deliveries highest since 2019
Aircraft deliveries are the highest since 2019 with a total of 76 deliveries and a 3% overall increase compared to February 2023, according to the latest figures from ADS Group.
The month has continued to reinforce the anticipated growth in wide-body deliveries with a 7% increase compared to 2023, this is due to the return of international long-haul travel. More via The Manufacturer
Chinese EV battery maker in talks to invest £1bn in new UK gigafactory
A Chinese manufacturer of electric vehicle batteries is in talks to invest more than £1bn to build a giant new factory on the outskirts of Coventry.
EVE Energy, which says it employs 28,000 staff worldwide, is understood to be in talks to construct a 5.7m sq ft gigafactory, which will form one of the main parts of the planned UK Centre for Electrification, an investment zone in the West Midlands. More via The Guardian
Bahrain state fund takes full ownership of supercar-maker McLaren
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund has completed a deal to take full ownership of McLaren Group, one of the most revered names in British manufacturing, after years of negotiations to put the company on a stable long-term footing. More via Sky News
Locit’s innovation helps schools navigate mobile phone headache
A locker manufacturer is helping schools navigate the mobile phone headache by launching an innovative storage solution.
Launched this month, Phone Safe by Locit is a wall-mounted steel locker with clear plastic doors and locks. The unique design features individual compartments accessible through a central door, making it easy for teachers or safeguarding staff to monitor and manage mobile phone storage. More via The Manufacturer
Renault and Volvo get green light for electric vans joint venture
Renault Group and Volvo Group have obtained the required regulatory approvals to officially launch the new company Flexis SAS for the next generation of fully electric vans based on a software defined vehicle (SDV) platform and its dedicated services.
The new company will address the growing needs of decarbonised and efficient urban logistics and will be based in France. More via AM Onine
Historic UK aircraft maker Britten-Norman rescued by investor group acquisition
The future of UK aircraft manufacturer, Britten-Norman, has been secured thanks to the sale of the business and assets, after its future was hanging in the balance just one month ago. More via On The Wight
INEOS ethanol plant in UK facing threat of closure
INEOS is looking to close its ethanol plant at the Grangemouth petrochemicals complex in the UK, it has been reported.
The proposed closure is in response to a reduction in demand for ethanol in Europe along with increasing pressure from imports of ethanol from other regions, which has led the business at Grangemouth to run at a loss for several years. More via Biofuels International
Portugal’s Navigator to buy UK loo roll maker Accrol in £127.5m deal
AIM-listed toilet paper maker Accrol said on Friday that it has agreed to be bought by Portuguese paper firm Navigator in a £127.5m deal.
Under the terms of the offer, Accrol shareholders will receive 38p per share in cash. This is a premium of around 11.8% to the closing share price on Thursday. More via Share Cast
