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.
Up to 35,000 South West manufacturing jobs at risk if UK does not speed up net zero transition – TUC
The TUC has today warned that up to 35,000 manufacturing jobs in the South West could be lost if the UK does not speed up its transition to net zero.
New analysis published by the union body highlights how tens of thousands of livelihoods could be at risk unless urgent steps are taken to help traditional industries transition to new forms of production.
The warning comes as TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak visits the nuclear plant construction site at Hinkley Point C in Bridgwater. More via The Manufacturer
Flagship Pioneering establishes base in London, in Europe-first win for UK life sciences
Leading life sciences bioplatform company Flagship Pioneering has today (Tuesday 28 November) announced the UK as the home for its first base outside the US, paving the way for new scientific start-ups, discoveries and investments here in the UK.
Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as its first European base is another vote of confidence for the UK’s £94 billion life sciences sector and is further evidence that the UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for investment, where 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups in Europe over the last decade have been founded in the UK. More via GOV UK
Britain hopes to attract investment from Chinese carmakers
Britain’s investment minister on Monday said he was working to attract Chinese car manufacturers to build a factory in the country and that investment from China was crucial to meeting environmental targets.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s appointment of former British leader David Cameron as foreign minister earlier this month caused concern among some lawmakers in his Conservative Party about what it would mean for the government’s approach to China. More via Reuters
Airbus flies fully automated helicopter with a tablet
Airbus has successfully tested a new simplified human machine interface (HMI) along with advanced autonomous features through a project code-named Vertex.
These technologies, developed by Airbus UpNext, are controlled by a touchscreen tablet and aim to simplify mission preparation and management, reduce helicopter pilot workload, and further increase safety. More via The Manufacturer
Chancellor announces more funding for HVM Catapult’s industrial transformation
The High Value Manufacturing Catapult has received millions of pounds in the Government’s Autumn Statement to drive green growth in the UK.
Following the Chancellor’s speech on Wednesday 22 November, Innovate UK, working with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), is investing an additional £145m into the UK’s innovation ecosystem.
This includes £50m to boost Catapult activity and capability in high growth sectors. More via High Value Manufacturing Catapult
Siemens Mobility restates UK commitment despite industry woes
Siemens Mobility, the Germany-based engineering and manufacturing firm, confirmed its intention to “assemble” at least 80 trains at its UK plant, which is currently in final construction and recruitment phases.
Despite a turbulent year for the UK railway sector, Siemens Mobility’s joint CEO for UK and Ireland, and managing director of rolling stock, Sambit Banerjee told sector media the firm’s plans were still solid. More via Railway Technology
Succession planning proves crucial as Alloy Wire International heads for record year
One of the UK’s leading manufacturers of round, flat and profile wire is on course to celebrate a record year – less than twelve months on from a MBO designed to protect the ‘unique values’ of the business.
Alloy Wire International, which was formed in the Black Country more than 77 years ago, has seen sales rocket by £3m since the deal was completed in January, taking turnover to £18m with the prospect of it breaking £20m in 2024.
Demand from customers in more than 63 countries has been behind the initial boost, but the now Chairman Mark Venables is adamant that the firm’s commitment to extending the employee-ownership of the company – and the culture this brings with it – will drive the ongoing success. More via The Manufacturer
Forth Green Freeport to deliver £7bn as it targets offshore wind manufacturing
Bosses behind the Forth Green Freeport say the region will deliver £7bn of private and public funding over the next decade.
The consortium has submitted its “Outline Business Case” (OBC) to the Scottish and UK Governments, a key step in reaching freeport status.
Spanning Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth, Burntisland and Edinburgh Airport, the freeport has a “focus” on offshore wind manufacturing and production of alternative fuels.
The OBC sets out that the site will be a catalyst for creating up to 38,350 jobs, almost 19,000 of which will be directly linked to the targeted sectors. More via Energy Voice
