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.
Six months of growth for UK car production – SMMT
UK car production surged in July, rising 31.6% to mark the sixth consecutive month of growth, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Find out more at The Manufacturer
Britten-Norman secures $25m deal with Torres Strait
Australian Air Charter Operator Torres Strait Air has signed an LOI with Britten-Norman to order 10-new Islander aircraft as part of a 5-year fleet renewal programme valued at $25m.
Torres Strait Air’s fleet of 7 existing Britten-Norman Islanders form the backbone of the local community and its economy, operating vital sub-regional air transport services across Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula. Find out more at Britten-Norman
UK video games studio numbers rise and employment surges, as new research identifies regional hubs
TIGA’s Making Games in the UK 2023 report also reveals increases in tax revenues and investment, and showcases the games industry’s contribution to the Levelling Up agenda
Employment in the UK’s games development sector has surged by 11.4 per cent, while studio numbers have increased by almost 18 per cent, according to new figures released today by TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry. Find out more at The Manufacturer
Airbus opens new A321XLR equipment installation hangar in Germany
Airbus is advancing its industrial system and expanding ramp-up capacity with a new automated A321XLR equipping hangar, officially opened today by Hamburg’s First Mayor Peter Tschentscher and German Aerospace Coordinator Anna Christmann. With this, Airbus continues its modernisation and digitalisation of its industrial system and expands its capacity for the rate ramp-up in the A320 programme to 75 in 2026. Find out more at Airbus
Labour shortages are stifling economic growth for the UK’s food and drink producers
Food and drink manufacturers are calling on greater collaboration between government and food manufacturers to tackle long-standing chronic labour shortages which continue cripple the sector.
Analysis published by the Food & Drink Federation (FDF), has found that in the last year from July 2022, labour shortages have cost the industry an estimated £1.4 bn, due to loss of output. In the last quarter alone, the cost has been £192m. Find out more at FDF
Business confidence surges to 18-month high
Business confidence rose by 10 points to 41% in August to reach the highest level since February 2022 (44%), just prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
The 10-point increase is the largest month on month rise since March 2023. Business sentiment was largely driven by a more upbeat view of the wider economy, after the latest rise in base rates of 25 basis points was lower than the 50 basis points increase some firms had been expecting. This led to an overall 15-point rise in economic optimism to 36%. Find out more at Lloyds Banking Group
UK-based Laser Additive Solutions enters space sector following purchase of TRUMPF TruPrint 3000 3D printer
Doncaster-based Laser Additive Solutions (LAS), a subcontract provider of laser processing and 3D printing services, is targeting customers in the UK space sector following its investment in a TruPrint 3000 3D printer from TRUMPF. The company says that if things go to plan, this system could be the first of many metal 3D printers at the business. Find out more at tct magazine
