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

Posted on 27 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.

Industry chief calls for 15% GDP target for manufacturing

The head of Britain’s manufacturing body will today call for all political parties to commit to an industrial strategy with an explicit target for industry to account for 15% of UK GDP, with the potential to add an extra £150bn to economic output.

Addressing the Make UK National Manufacturing Conference at the QE2 Centre in Westminster, CEO Stephen Phipson will also set out five key priorities for the next Government, as well as call for a fundamental review of defence policy and, procurement policies which favour the UK’s defence manufacturing sector. More via The Manufacturer

Stellantis to supply up to 500,000 vehicles to Ayvens

Ayvens, a leading global sustainable mobility player, and Stellantis, one of the world’s leading automakers, have come to a multi-billion euro frame agreement that encourages Ayvens’ affiliates to buy up to 500,000 vehicles for its long-term leasing fleet across Europe over the next three years.

First significant delivery volumes are expected to begin in the first half of 2024 and continue throughout the year. More via Stellantis

Schneider Electric announces extension to apprenticeship programme

Schneider Electric UK has opened applications for its newly expanded 2024 apprenticeship programme.

The company, a global leader in energy management and automation will see its cohort double in size for its 2024 apprenticeship programme, with opportunities spanning Levels 3 to 6 across a broad range of specialisms. More via The Manufacturer

Wrightbus secures new European order for 28 hydrogen buses

Ballymena zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has secured another major European order for its hydrogen single deck bus.

German transport company Saarbahn GmbH has ordered 28 Kite Hydroliners with the first due to be delivered this year. More via Belfast News Letter

Dragonfly Insulation seals £935,000 investment to scale up

Northumberland manufacturer Dragonfly Insulation has raised £935,000 to scale up its innovative aerogel technology.

Prudhoe-based Dragonfly, which span out of Newcastle University four years ago, is an advanced materials maker known for its aerogels – a product used in a range of sectors including energy, process industries, construction, marine and air applications, EVs and future fuels. More via Business Live

Centre for innovation celebrates its 40th birthday

A leading Midlands science park celebrated its 40th anniversary by bringing together innovative companies both old and new to mark the occasion.

The University of Warwick Science Park was officially opened in February 1984 by the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, when it just had one building to its name. Forty years on, firms who had made the science park their home came along to a celebratory event at the Venture Centre – the first building the science park ever had – along with current tenants, science park staff and VIPs. More via The Manufacturer

Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV secures efficiency crown

Alexander Dennis has announced that its next-generation Enviro400EV electric double decker has completed the Zemo Partnership’s zero-emission bus testing and certification programme.

The work, which was undertaken at UTAC’s approved test facility at Millbrook Proving Ground, confirms an average energy consumption of just 0.67kWh/km across the UK Bus Cycle. This makes the next-generation Enviro400EV the most efficient battery-electric double decker tested to Zemo Partnership standards to date, delivering a 10% efficiency advantage over competitors’ vehicles of comparable battery size. More via Alexander Dennis

£26.5m-turnover window and door manufacturer enters administration

Euramax Solutions Limited, a South Yorkshire manufacturer of windows and doors, has fallen into administration. The Barnsley-based company had suffered cashflow issues following the collapse of a major customer, combined with decreasing demand from the UK’s holiday homes market.

Chris Ratten and Gareth Harris of RSM Restructuring Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators of the company, but emphasised that no redundancies have been made so far at business, which employs around 200 staff. More via Business Sale Report