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

Posted on 30 Jul 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.

Made Smarter launches peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers

Made Smarter North West has launched a new peer-to-peer network to accelerate digital adoption among SME manufacturers.

The Digital Champions Network brings together businesses who have engaged with Made Smarter’s adoption programme, including graduates of its Leading Digital Transformation and Leading Change for Digital Champions programmes. More via The Manufacturer

Eco start-up makes waves to give sailing waste a second life

Waste textiles from sailing boats could be given a new lease of life as a result of a research project upcycling plastic fibres from sails into new chemicals such as vanillin – the compound used in cosmetics and food products for a vanilla flavour and smell. More via The Manufacturer

XLCC training centre will move from Irvine to Hunterston

The XLCC training plant for young apprentices will move from Irvine to Hunterston when the £1.4bn cable manufacturing facility opens, according to local MSP Kenneth Gibson.

UK subsea cable manufacturer XLCC has signed a lease on a unit at Arkwright Way in Irvine, to operate as a dedicated training facility for its apprentices. More via Ayrshire Today

West Midlands robotics ‘cluster’ could drive UK automation boom

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the University of Birmingham have set up a robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) “cluster” in the West Midlands to act as a catalyst to kickstart the region’s robotics and automation activities. The aim is to connect various parties including suppliers, integrators, users, universities and local authorities with the region’s two High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centres, to help boost the take-up of RAS by UK industry. More via Drives & Controls

Specialised Canvas Group acquires manufacturer of motorhome and caravan covers

Chesterfield-based Specialised Canvas Group has acquired Protec Covers, the manufacturer and retailer of motorhome and caravan covers.

This latest acquisition further strengthens Specialised Canvas’ growth within the UK leisure market and aligns with its campervan and motorhome windscreen cover brand Custom Camping. More via East Midlands Business Link

Sheffield Forgemasters seeks planning for new machining facility

Sheffield Forgemasters, has submitted a pre-planning application for a landmark 30,000 m2 machining facility on brownfield land in Sheffield’s Meadowhall district.

Located on a 16-acre plot at Weedon Street, the new facility will form one of the world’s most advanced large machining facilities, to support the Ministry of Defence-owned company’s manufacture for the UK defence programme. More via The Manufacturer