The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has joined forces with Prospect, the trade union representing professionals in the UK, to launch a new joint working group with the aim of helping companies to recruit and retain more women engineers and scientists.
Global supplier of fast-moving consumer goods, Unilever, has won the Production Efficiency award at the Manufacturing Forum and Awards hosted by Brammer, the UK distributor of industrial maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services, and Buck & Hickman, the UK distributor of tools, maintenance and health & safety products.
Rochdale-based Holroyd Precision Ltd. has been named as a winner of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s highest accolade for business success.
The Automation Group of Parker Hannifin has launched an exhibition vehicle tour with the objective of taking its latest products directly to customer convenient locations. Encompassing over 200 products and solutions offered from the five divisions within the Parker Automation Group, the roadshow represents significant opportunities for existing and new Parker customers to experience an extensive portfolio of automation products.
Atlas Copco Compressors in Ireland is to hold a full programme of staff and customer events to celebrate its 50th year of operation throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The anniversary year will be celebrated with a range of product campaigns, customer promotions and staff events, conducted by a 30-strong team of technical sales, service and support staff who are closely engaged with meeting customers’ application needs.
Balluff Ltd. has joined forces with the National Fluid Power Centre (NFPC) to improve industry skills and knowledge across the electronics and hydraulics sector.
Hydraulic Equipment Supermarkets (HES) has been appointed as an official distributor for the British designed and manufactured hydraulic control valve brand, Hy-Pro. During the past 50 years Hy-Pro has developed a reputation for reliability and high quality manufacturing within the hydraulic component industry, and this brand complements the extensive range of valves offered by HES.
Manufacturers have a vital role to play in driving diversity, but should not expect a silver bullet. This was the view expressed by Terry Scuoler, CEO of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, at a recent event in London.
UK hydraulics manufacturer, Savery Hydraulics now offers Hydraforce products online through an ecommerce website.
At its premises in Keighley, West Yorkshire, C&C Hydraulics has built a new 6 metres high vertical test rig in order to load test telescopic cylinders. The new rig can reportedly handle cylinders up to 5 metres in stroke. Ian Couch, managing director at C&C Hydraulics, commented that since the company moved to its new 36,000 sq ft production facility in 2012, it has continued to develop and improve its armoury of production and test equipment.
The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) and the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA), which incorporates the British Fluid Power Distributors Association (BFPDA), have agreed to build on their individual brand strengths and form the UK Motion Control Alliance (UKMCA).
Coventry-based Air Kraft Ltd. has been awarded the accolade of Atlas Copco Compressors’ Distributor of the Year for 2014.
National Fluid Power Centre’s free-to attend Industry Open Day, held on 18 February, was a major success, with over 250 visitors in attendance. The yearly event has established itself as an important fixture for manufacturers/OEMs, distributors and end users of fluid power and control and automation equipment.
MP Filtri is to host a free training seminar on 7 October at the National Fluid Power Centre (NFPC), Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
Brammer, the UK supplier of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) products and services, and Buck & Hickman, the UK distributor of tools, maintenance and health & safety products, are supporting local schools in the West Midlands by linking up with a highly innovative education scheme. Solutions for the Planet is a business, education and community engagement programme themed towards sustainability, energy and engineering. Balfour Beatty, Brammer, Buck & Hickman and Lafarge Tarmac are supporting the project as it aims to inspire young people, aged between 11 and 14, to be the scientists, engineers and responsible citizens of the future. The programme sees mentors from across the four businesses selected to work on an array of projects in six schools throughout the West Midlands. North East Wolverhampton Academy, Heath Park College and Colton Hills Community School in Wolverhampton, Lyndon School in Solihull, and Ninestiles School and Hodge Hill College in Birmingham are the schools involved. Mentors are helping the schoolchildren with their ‘Big Ideas’ tackling issues such as sustainability and work alongside them to develop simple, effective and economical solutions that could positively impact society, the economy and environment. Four Big Ideas days have been held already, with more planned for January. Brammer and Buck & Hickman have also hosted a successful Mentor Training Day at Brammer’s Centre of Excellence in Wolverhampton. Last year’s winners earned a visit to the Palace of Westminster to receive trophies and certificates from the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, so there is real incentive for this year’s participants. Dave Whittingham, Head of Human Resources at Brammer and Buck & Hickman, said: “Solutions for the Planet is becoming a highly successful way of promoting innovation and smart thinking from school children. We are proud to be a partner in the programme and to show our support for the development of young people’s skills and learning.” Once the project has completed its first phase in July 2015, the programme will be increased to 10 schools in the West Midlands, allowing more opportunities for Balfour Beatty, Brammer, Buck & Hickman and Lafarge Tarmac to support the development of young people in the future.
