DS-JUN26-PG06+07_Layout 1 17/06/2026 11:29 Page 7
industry news
frederick cooper reaps benefits of its learning academy, with plans to launch graduate scheme and sandwich year placements
Frederick Cooper, which provides wet paint spraying and powder coatings to prestigious car manufacturers and clients in advanced engineering, medical and hospitality, has invested more than £400,000 into developing a Learning Academy and is now reaping the benefits of improved efficiency and greater access to skills. Since the launch of its in-house facility, it
has taken on 20 individuals to undertake their Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices, upskilled 150 staff members and is about to launch a new Graduate Programme. Jai Purewal, operations director at Frederick
Cooper, said: “This has been a win-win on all fronts. We’ve grown turnover 12% in the last year alone by filling some of the competency gaps we were experiencing, brought the average age of the
rutronik to distribute 3peak’s products
Following a new agreement, Rutronik customers throughout the EMEA region now have access to 3PEAK’s products, including comprehensive design-in support. 3PEAK is a leading global fabless
semiconductor company and specialises in the research, development, and production of high- performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs), including signal chain products, power management solutions, and logic devices. The offering is further complemented by power management solutions such as battery management ICs and power devices, as well as isolated gate drivers and isolation amplifiers. With this new partnership, Rutronik
expands its product range by more than 2,800 components. This enables the company to offer solutions for key future-oriented markets such as IoT, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, automotive, medical technology, and consumer electronics. “This partnership is a strategically important
step for us. With 3PEAK, we are gaining a manufacturer known for innovative products of the highest quality,” commented Reza Maghdounieh, vice president product marketing semiconductor at Rutronik.
www.rutronik.com
workforce down considerably and, importantly, given career chances to 20 young people. “Businesses have an important role to play in
rebuilding the first rung of the career ladder. And it’s not training for training’s sake, that doesn’t work. We’ve put in place structured internal and external training, built a solid partnership with In-Comm Training and introduced work buddies and mentors, who guide our new recruits.” Purewal added: “Our next step is to launch
our Graduate Scheme in the next few months, working with a leading regional university to place four immediate graduates in jobs that can eventually lead all the way to the boardroom. “We also want to start offering one industrial
placement every year for students in their ‘sandwich year’, with the view that they come and
drive design joins apex dynamics approved reseller (adar) programme
Drive Design has chosen to extend its relationship with Apex Dynamics by joining the Apex Dynamics Approved Reseller (ADAR) programme. Through its ADAR programme, Apex Dynamics has created
a network of certified resellers that actively promote its product range. It is now expanding the scheme to include more partners. Members of the scheme are able to access a range of
exclusive benefits, as well as offering their customers Apex Dynamics’ ATEX-rated gearboxes, 2-3 week lead times and a five-year warranty at no extra cost. Additional benefits include lead generation, joint customer visits, client introductions, special pricing for project-based engagements, rebates to incentivise growth and regular updates.
Mike Gulliford, Apex Dynamics UK managing director, explained:
“We have been creating close and enduring partnerships based on mutual trust and support through our ADAR programme. It has been a great success and we are now expanding it to include more partners that can provide high levels of local customer service and expertise. I encourage interested companies to get in touch.” Drive Design works with machine builders across the UK and Europe. It supplies bearings,
belts, electric motors and gearboxes and has used high performance products from Apex Dynamics for more than 20 years, and is pleased with the reliability and precision they provide. Paul Devenney, managing director of Drive Design said: “At Drive Design, we aim to provide our
customers with quality premium products, quick response times and technical expertise, which is critical in food processing and textile manufacturing... We have found Apex Dynamics gearboxes are very, very accurate and keep rejections to an absolute minimum. Through precision engineering, the products are superb, providing high torque and efficiency as well as multiple mounting options.”
www.apexdynauk.com
new guidance on how cobots can work safely alongside humans to be created thanks to new partnership
Automate UK has partnered with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to create new guidance on how collaborative robots can safely work alongside humans. Along with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the organisations
are working together with government and industry to support the safe and responsible adoption of robotics in the workplace. At present, the UK ranks 24th globally for industrial robot density – half the EU average – despite ranking first for academic robotics research. A key barrier to adoption is uncertainty around compliance, particularly that surrounding collaborative robots (cobots), with industry estimating that between 15-20% of customer
www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk
enquiries on automation stall due to safety uncertainly alone. Andrew Curran CBE, director of science and chief scientific adviser at the
Health and Safety Executive, said: “We understand that despite there being no barrier to adoption in health and safety law there is a fear of non- compliance, which is limiting adoption. Therefore, we are committed to working with the Regulatory Innovation Office and industry partners to deliver the first joint HSE and industry guidance on the use of cobots to address this barrier and improve business confidence.”
www.automate-uk.com/ june 2026 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 7
work for us when they’ve finished their degree.”
www.frederickcooper.co.uk
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