SECTOR FOCUS: MANUFACTURING


Anti-competition warning issued


A Birmingham solicitor has warned local manufacturers to be on their guard against strict European Union anti- competition rules in the wake of a case which resulted in a number of eye-watering fines. The fines came after a six-firm


cartel of manufacturers specialising in the humble ball bearing were fined a massive £770 million after being found guilty of price fixing. Now Birmingham lawyer Gemma


Sutton, of SGH Martineau, says others must beware of similar infringements. She said: “Although this is an


example of deliberate price fixing, SGH Martineau continues to review a number of contracts for businesses in which we are able to identify provisions breaching competition law which the businesses are unaware are illegal. If your business is operating practices which have the object or effect of preventing or distorting competition, you could be at risk of a raid at your premises by the competition authorities and fines of up to ten per cent of your global turnover.”


HydraForce to expand as business increases


I


nternational hydraulic manufacturing company HydraForce has announced its intention to expand into brand new


factory premises next year. This follows a huge increase in demand for its engineering products and expertise. HydraForce employs 280 at its European headquarters at Aston, Birmingham and in 2013 it had a turnover of £49 million. Last year the firm celebrated 25 years in Birmingham, and is now looking for a new, larger site to move into.


‘Over the last year we have seen a substantial increase in demand, which bodes well for the UK exporting economy as a whole’


HydraForce has manufacturing facilities in North America and Asia alongside its Birmingham factory, which designs, manufactures and assembles hydraulic equipment for the fast-growing agricultural and construction industries across Europe and Asia.


UK managing director Peter Macdonald said:


“HydraForce exports over 80 per cent of its manufactured goods and over the last year we have seen a substantial increase in demand, which bodes well for the UK exporting economy as a whole. “To meet future demand, we will have to expand our Birmingham-based manufacturing operations which means a move to a larger site.” However, HydraForce hopes not to move far from


its current premises at St Stephen’s Street, Aston. Mr MacDonald said: “Many of our staff have been with us for years, and we value their expertise very highly, so we don’t want to move out of the area.” The company’s expansion will mean an increase in job opportunities. Mr Macdonald added: “Attracting the right people with the right skills at the right time is an on-going challenge, but we have a well-established apprenticeship programme and will be announcing a link with a major regional higher educational establishment in 2014.” HydraForce was first established in Chicago, USA in 1985 and the company’s UK operation was set up just three years later.


BMet recognition for BSA


BSA Machine Tools, based in Kitts Green, Birmingham has been awarded an ‘employer star’ from Birmingham Metropolitan College. Steve Brittan, managing director,


accepted the award in recognition of the company’s ‘passion for apprenticeships and lifelong learning’.


Mr Brittan said he believes


strongly in building for the future of the engineering industry and in the education of young people and added: “Equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills through an apprenticeship pathway is key to the recovery of the future of the UK economy.” The company employs four


apprentices, ranging from 18 years of age to 25 years of age. The apprentices are on a rolling programme for two to four years. They initially study for a EAL level 2 NVQ diploma in Performing Engineering Operations (QCF) diploma, after which there are progression opportunities for an advanced apprenticeship level 3 in engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering or a level 3 BTEC diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering.


Depending on the stage of their course apprentices


attend college between one and one and a half days per week at Birmingham Metropolitan College, which provides education and training for some 9,000 16-19 year old and 45,000 higher education, adult and international learners.


42 CHAMBERLINK MAY 2014


Brian Timmington: beware of cheap imitations


UK quality lifts order books


A Black Country firm says manufacturing is returning to UK shores. Arbil Ltd, which is celebrating 50


Best of both worlds: Steve Brittan with apprentices (left to right) Tim Perrin, Andrew Manning and Daniel Wood


One of the BSA apprentices, Daniel Wood, said: “An


apprenticeship is the best of both worlds, we gain practical hands on experience and the knowledge passed by experienced men at work in BSA and the theory and a recognised engineering qualification via BMet. At the end of our apprenticeship we feel we will have better job security for the future.” In 1921, the BSA Company set up its own machine


tool manufacturing business, known as BSA Tools Ltd. Since the turn of the century BSA has continued to develop overseas markets in Asia and the American continent.


years in engineering and fabrication, claims an increase in sales is down to buyers wanting to buy British, rather than foreign imitations.


Engineering manager Brian


Timmington said: “It is the industry leading quality of our products that is encouraging bulk and repeat orders.”


Arbil makes specialist lifting, handling and hydraulic equipment for industrial and rail sectors. Brian added: “The manufacturing


industry is of vital economic importance to the UK and we are proud to be making a significant contribution.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52