RURAL MANUFACTURING FIRMS WIN MAJOR AWARDS
One is a world-leading business using the latest in patented cutting- edge technology, the other has revived the age-old art of oak frame making but they have two things in common: both are based in the countryside and were winners in the first Rural Business Awards supported by two Government Ministers and the CLA held 1 October. Cambridgeshire technology
company Zettlex won the Outstanding Rural Manufacturing Business category. The company
makes compact, accurate sensors measuring position or speed in harsh environments used in defence, medical, motor sport, aerospace and energy production industries. Zettlex started with two engineers
working in a garden shed using technology invented, patented and developed by the founders. Traditionally sensors of this kind are based on electrical transformers but Zettlex has cost and efficiency advantages by using its own printing technique and 3D computer
engineering to design, build and test its products. Their sensors must withstand harsh conditions including extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, electromagnetic noise, high speeds, liquid immersion, aggressive chemicals or potentially explosive situations. Zettlex now has a global reputation, a workload stretching into 2017 and has won major contracts to use its sensors in jet engines, space rockets and safety critical equipment. Runner-up Border Oak has
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ADVANCED MANUFACTURING UTM PLANS APPROVED
Plans for the conversion of a historic Leeds industrial complex into a £9.5m university technical college (UTC) focused on advanced manufacturing have been approved. Located at the Braime Pressings Factory on Hunslet Road building work is expected to start this year for completion in September 2016. Specialising in engineering and
manufacturing, UTC Leeds will provide a vocational education for up to 600 young people aged 14-19 from across the city region with the
curriculum focused on the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths. Three storeys of teaching accommodation are envisaged within the existing building volume and set out to make the most of the existing structure. . On the basis of the sale of 25% of
Braime's manufacturing site agreed early in 2015 the company is re- investing about £1.1m which is the majority of the expected proceeds in the modernisation of its UK facility. The company has already vacated the area needed for the UTC and most of the modernisation work will be completed in October. UTC Leeds was conceived in 2014
by industry members and is employer-led with strong backing from the city being supported by the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, Leeds City Region Local Enterprise
T
his issue highlights once again the ongoing innovation
in UK engineering. Yet Semta CEO Ann Watson believes we don’t shout about it as much as we should and need 800,000 additional science, engineering and technology technicians to avert a skills crisis. She said that young people needed to know what “wonders await in a career in engineering” and mourned the loss of STEM graduates choosing careers outside the sector. In a recent address to the SoE
she said hundreds of engineering firms were signing up to Semta’s STEM Exchange to help ensure educators are educated about opportunities within the sector.
Susan Deane Editor
Partnership, EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and resources from Leeds City Council.
The UTC Trust has developed a network of education and business sponsors within the region including AGFA Graphics, Siemens, Kodak, Unilever and the University of Leeds. Plans to create the UTC took a
major step forward earlier this year following the approval of a funding agreement worth £9.5m by the Department of Education. Thomas Fletcher Braime began
fabricating oil cans and producing small pressings from a property in Leek Street in Hunslet in 1888. After his brother James Henry
joined the business the factory on Hunslet Road was opened in 1911 to capitalise on increased demand for metal pressings from the rapidly expanding motor industry.
MINISTER PRAISES WORK OF SEMTA
Skills minister Nick Boles MP has paid tribute to Semta – the not- for-profit, employer-led organisation tasked with skilling engineering and advanced manufacturing. Speaking at the Skills Breakfast at The Conservative Party Conference in Manchester he told the audience of employers and educators that skilling Britain by creating 3M apprenticeships remained at the top of the Government’s agenda. He recognised the work that Semta is undertaking to promote apprenticeships and vocational routes. CEO Ann Watson told the minister and the meeting that Semta and the 145,000 companies it represents
4 OCTOBER 2015 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
embraced the Government’s emphasis on the skills agenda and would work closely with them to achieve its targets. “I am pleased that productivity is
now at the heart of the Government’s plan to move the UK to a high skill, high wage economy but we won’t improve productivity unless we improve skills.” Watson said that 26% of the
workforce in engineering and advanced manufacturing had completed an apprenticeship compared to 10% of the entirety of those in work. “Turnover and GVA per employee in our sector are far higher than the average.”
www.semta.org.uk
revitalised the lost medieval craft of oak framing. Based in Herefordshire, over nearly 40 years the business has continued to innovate and adapt in order to win its reputation for a first-class, sustainable product that combines functionality with beauty. Usings old techniques the
company has invested in CAD as part of the process, specifically for construction techniques and structural engineering to meet and exceed building regulations.
www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk
STORAX AND TROAX WIN TOP HONOURS
Storax and Troax scooped top honours at the SEMA Distributor Group (SDG) Supplier of the Year awards 2015. Storax retained the premier accolade; Troax was runner-up. Congratulating the winners, SDG chairman Jonathan Bennett said: “I’d like to thank Storax, Troax and all of our suppliers for their tremendous support. We really depend on them delivering excellence of both product and service. 2015 has seen our SDG group develop its presence in the market place and the group has played an active part of SEMA’s Three Steps to Safety campaign. “Following 2014’s rigorous
audit of each of our distributor members by independent QA assessors QCS International we’ve noticed a growing confidence in end users in choosing SEMA Distributor Companies and there’s been an increase in our membership. “Only SDG members can show
customers a current Audit Certificate as proof that the correct health and safety standards are in place, they use only trained labour, storage is correctly designed and the firm carries appropriate insurance.” The awards were made at
SEMA’s inaugural Combined General Meeting. Chaired by president Matt Grierson all member groups learned and shared best practice. HSE inspector Tony Mitchell talked about the CDM Regulations 2015; there were updates from SEMA’s technical committee by chairman Steve Cowen, committee member Alan Worrell and SEMA approved inspector Mike Pace.
sema.org.uk
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