News Industry In brief…
Steam system and flow control specialists Valveforce has intro- duced a free, quick and easy-to- use question and answer email service on all things valves. Following extensive market research, Valveforce found that the vast majority of end users would often prefer to have some of their technical questions answered by email, especially if that advice was fast, impartial, useful and free. Now, through
valvegeek.co.uk, by simply typing in a question, the technical team at Valveforce will provide answers from the most basic to the most complex of enquiries.
www.valvegeek.co.uk
One of the world’s largest dedicat- ed facilities management event will return to Birmingham’s NEC in May 2013. Facilities Show 2013 will run from 14-16 May in associa- tion with the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM). The annual flagship event hosts a plethora of free educational con- tent that includes the CPD Seminar Theatre, Facilities Show Seminar Theatre and the Energy Solutions Theatre.
www.facilitiesshow.com
Matchtech, the engineering indus- try’s recruitment agency, is set to launch its first Engineering Showcase which aims to celebrate engineering professionals and organisations, and the work they do on a daily basis. The
Engineering Showcase is an online gallery used to celebrate creativity and excellence, annually updating the best achievements throughout all regions of the country. Engineers throughout the UK can enter for themselves or colleagues through the Matchtech website
http://community.matchtech.com
ABB’s robotics business has signed Mike Wilson as its new gen- eral industry sales manager for the UK and Ireland. Wilson is tasked with growing and managing sales of ABBs robots and robot systems for non-automotive applications, such as mechanical engineering, electrical & electronics, aerospace, pharmaceutical and medical. Well- known in the world of automation, he brings over 30 years of experi- ence in industrial automation, encompassing robots and other types of automated machinery.
www.abb.com/robotics
6 Manufacturers invest in skills as shortage becomes key
Britain’s manufacturers are sub- stantially increasing investment in skills in response to greater demand for more highly skilled employees but even without a strong recovery, many firms are reporting skills shortages, according to a major survey released by EEF, the manufactur- ers’ organisation and JAM Recruitment.
The survey shows that even whilst applicants are increasingly lacking technical skills, work experience and relevant qualifi- cations, companies are respond-
ing by increasing investment in training, apprenticeships and in developing better links with schools and FE colleges. However, only a minority of manufacturers are reporting that government efforts to create a sim- pler demand-led skills system have made it easier for them to invest in the skills that they need. Manufacturers’ growing need for skilled R&D, design and tech- nical, project management and craft and technician employees also show that we need raise our level of ambition for apprentice-
Bloodhound car is a hit with pupils
The ‘Bloodhound’ supersonic car proved to be a highlight of this year's Scarborough Engineering Week, the event aimed at encour- aging youngsters to consider careers in engineering. Now in its third year, the organisers are delighted with the success of the event, which has grown substan- tially year on year – with some 1,600 pupils attending this time. “This year’s event has been the best so far, it’s really brought engi- neering to life for youngsters,” says Peter Wilkinson from the lead organiser Unison – the Scarborough-based manufacturer of tube bending machines. “The kids were able to interact with lots of exhibits – from subsea vehicle simulators, to robotic arms, and a Formula 1 car. The buzz was incredible, and we had some fantastic feedback - with East Yorkshire kids realising that there
ships and work harder to ensure more young people are leaving education with good grades in key subjects like English and Maths. Commenting, EEF head of employment & skills policy, Tim Thomas, said: “The time is ripe to put employers in the driving seat by giving them the power to set the standards for their indus- try, the scope to decide how to train their apprenticeships and by routing public funding for training through the firms that invest in it.”
www.eef.org.uk Camera price drop
FLIR Systems has dropped the price of its its FLIR T335 and FLIR B335 thermal imaging cameras until the end of the year.
are some amazing engineering companies on their doorstep.” Engineering products and technologies on display were from Atlas Ward Structures, Firmac, Forum Energy Technologies, Bluebird, Fanuc, Festo, Plaxton, Castle Group, Yorkshire Coast College, HMK, Moog, Joy Global, York Potash, Unison, Dale, Denford, Bloodhound SSC, NYBEP, Derwent Training, Scarborough Sixth Form College, and Wilfred Scruton.
www.unisonltd.com Apprentice wins ship welding award
Lewis Clelland of Babcock, Rosyth has been chosen as the top welder in the 2012 ESAB Shipweld competition for ship- yard apprentices with the grand final held at BAE Systems in Portsmouth. Jack Thompson of Babcock, Appledore was named as the runner-up and the ship- yard welding team award went to Babcock, Rosyth. Ten finalists battled it out in Portsmouth, undertaking three welding tasks to test their all- round skills in a format that pro- vided a chance for apprentices to engage in competitive welding. Clelland said: “It was a great com- petition and I was surprised to win. The standard of all the con-
testants’ test pieces looked really high. Participating in this kind of competition can open doors in our future careers and I’ll be encouraging other apprentices at Rosyth to enter Shipweld 2013.” Sean Donaldson, director and general manager, Warship Programmes at Babcock said: “This has been another challeng- ing competition for all the apprentices involved in the Shipweld competition. I am extremely proud of the Babcock representatives who have taken part and been successful in applying the skills and experi- ence they have to secure awards as individuals and as a team.”
www.esab.co.uk
The FLIR T335 as a suitable solution for those who do not require the sophistication of a top flight model but still require advanced functionality and good thermal resolution.
Demand for this product and its building science counterpart, the FLIR B335, has been exceptional and the current high production of these 320 x 240 pixels models has allowed Flir Systems to pass on manufacturing economies to its customers. Both models can be acquired for less than £6,000 until the end of the year. They originally carried a price tag of £9,995
www.flir.com
New name in noise
Cirrus Research, experts in the creation and production of noise measure- ment instru-
ments, has appointed Kevin Worth as business development manager. Worth started his career with the Environmental Health (Environ - mental Protection) team at Blackpool Borough Council with varied duties involving investigat- ing noise nuisance complaints. He wanted to learn more about the science behind noise, so decided to return to education and study the Institute of Acoustics: Diploma of Acoustics and Noise Control at Leeds Metropolitan University. He had various roles before taking up a consultant role for Environment Noise Solutions.
www.cirrusresearch.co.uk
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012 Factory Equipment
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