NEWS COMMENT
Welcome to the Spring issue of UK Manufacturing. From detecting tool wear to enabling automatic tool changes, sensors play a vital role in the implementation
of smart tooling methodologies for CNC machines. But how can manufacturers ensure that these sensors are up to scratch? Find out in an article from the experts at Swindon Silicon Systems on page 30.
Victoria White, Editor FANUC COMMITS TO THE NORTH AND SCOTLAND A
utomation experts FANUC UK have doubled down on their commitment to support innovation in manufacturing with the announcement of a dedicated business development manager for the North of England and Scotland. Tony Bentham will be instrumental in helping businesses and academic institutions across the region to embrace cutting edge robotics to enhance their productivity, sustainability and profitability. With more than 36 years’ experience at FANUC UK specialising in robotics and customer service, Bentham brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. His insights from over three decades at the forefront of industrial automation will be invaluable in helping businesses across the region to maximise their potential and futureproof their operations in the face of challenges such as rising energy bills, labour shortages and increasing competition from overseas. He will support manufacturers, engineering firms, academic institutions, and industry leaders to leverage smart automation
KELMORE SHORTLISTED FOR MANUFACTURING START-UP OF THE YEAR AT INSIDER MADE IN THE NORTH WEST AWARDS 2025
K
elmore, a fast-growing manufacturer of high-
performance products for the tiling and flooring industries, has been shortlisted for the Manufacturing Start-Up of the Year Award at the prestigious Insider
Made in the North West Awards 2025.
Kelmore entered the market and began trading in February 2024 and has since very quickly gained momentum in a very competitive industry alongside a number of existing long-standing manufacturers.
This recognition highlights the company’s remarkable start-up journey of rapid growth with production output growing by 420 per cent since their first month and over 1,450,000 units sold in the first 12 months of trading. Kelmore has rapidly become known for its quality, innovative products and market leading service levels. In addition to this, the company’s approach to providing solutions with a lower carbon footprint through unique formulations and pouch packaging which uses 80 per cent less plastic, has been well received. Operating out of a brand-new 50,000 ft² state-of-the-art facility in Chorley, Lancashire, the team is now 47 members strong with further appointments planned for 2025 to allow further expansion.
Founder and managing director of Kelmore, Mark Kelly, commented: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Manufacturing Start-Up of the Year Award! “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team who, with over 500 years of manufacturing experience, have been instrumental to our success.”
www.kelmore.co.uk 4
solutions to drive innovation, R&D and competitive growth across the North of England and throughout Scotland. Bentham stated: “The need for automation is more crucial than ever, yet some businesses across the North and Scotland still lack a clear understanding of the key benefits and potential returns of robotics. Equally, there are other organisations that have already begun to embrace automation in their facilities, but require expert guidance to take the next step to enable them to realise its full benefits. Having a trusted local specialist on hand will serve to bridge this gap, helping firms to not only maximise their existing automation potential but also understand how new technologies can enhance their capabilities even further.” If you are a manufacturer or academic institution based in the North of England or Scotland and are keen to find out how automation can futureproof your operation, contact
tony.bentham@
fanuc.eu to arrange a visit.
www.fanuc.eu
FOURJAW TARGETS GLOBAL GROWTH FROM SHEFFIELD HQ
F ourJaw
Manufacturing Analytics has embarked on the next phase of its growth journey by moving to a new headquarters at Pennine Five in Sheffield City Centre. The technology company, which has grown rapidly since it was formed in 2020 as a spinout from the
University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), joins a growing number of technology businesses in an area of the city identified as being the heart of Sheffield’s Innovation Spine. FourJaw, which now employs 27 people, provides plug-and-play machine monitoring technology used by over 140 manufacturers globally to assess and improve productivity, energy efficiency, and profitability. It has relocated from OXO House on Sheffield Riverside to a recently renovated 3,500-square-foot office at Pennine Five, which provides room for up to 50 people and an option to take further space as required. Chris Iveson, CEO at FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, commented: “We are very excited about moving to Pennine Five, which is a big step forward in our journey and provides the space we need to double our team. We are on a mission to transform productivity for manufacturers and the communities they support worldwide, and we’ve made our technology so easy to install and benefit from that we now serve multinationals and small manufacturers globally from here in Sheffield.”
“We are very grateful for the support we’ve received on our journey so far from organisations including the University of Sheffield, AMRC, Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority.”
fourjaw.com Spring 2025 UKManufacturing
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