INDUSTRY NEWS
630-ton press installation
Knowledge Hubs initiative at MACH 2024
The Manufacturing Technologies Association ( MTA ) will launch its new Knowledge Hubs initiative at MACH 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham ( UK ) from 15-19 April 2024 . These will showcase how to adopt new technology to improve productivity and efficiency in manufacturing .
“ The programme showcases new technology that is readily available to UK manufacturers , helping them to understand the potential that adopting such technology can bring to their operation , as well as when to adopt it and how to implement it to best effect ,” explained the MTA .
The Knowledge Hubs initiative will have dedicated stands across the event , each focusing on a particular type of technology including Automation and Robotics ; Sustainable Solutions ; Additive Manufacturing ; Consumable Tooling and Data and Artificial Intelligence .
In recognition of the importance being placed on these hubs , each is being managed by one of the specialist centres from the High Value Manufacturing Catapult , such as the Manufacturing Technology Centre ( MTC ) and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre ( AMRC ). The Catapult network collaborates with thousands of innovative businesses across a wide range of sectors .
The Knowledge Hub initiative was handed a major shot-in-the-arm with the recent announcement by UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt of £ 4.5 billion of funding to support advanced manufacturing . The funding will directly benefit several of the exhibition ’ s key themes , especially Sustainable Solutions , where £ 960 million has been earmarked for clean energy manufacturing through a Green Industries Growth Accelerator .
Over 26,000 visitors and 500 exhibitors are expected to attend the event , sponsored by Lloyds Bank , at the NEC exhibition centre in Birmingham , UK . It will showcase live , digital production systems and a range of machinery , software and systems for modern manufacturing . The Engineering Supply Chain Show ( ESC ), sponsored by Lloyds Bank and the Engineering Industries Association ( EIA ), is co-located with MACH 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham . n
www
. machexhibition . com
AIDA-America , a metal stamping press manufacturer in Dayton , OH ( USA ), recently installed a 630-metric-ton AIDA straightside mechanical press at Profile Metal Forming Inc . in McKenzie , Tennessee ( USA ). Profile has been supplying engineered components for the automotive industry for over 30 years .
The press options that it selected for its 630-ton AIDA press include a 3,650 x 1,500mm bed size ; die area lights ; front and rear light curtains with metal guards ; fourchannel forward / reverse tonnage monitor ; automatic counterbalance control and automatic die-height adjustment control . n
www . aida-global . com
Wardtec acquisition reaps rewards for Lawton Tubes
A UK manufacturer and supplier of copper tube and pipes has recorded a jump in sales following the acquisition of Redditchbased Wardtec . Lawton Tubes , which has been producing material for the healthcare , air conditioning , plumbing and general engineering sectors for over 105 years , purchased the water management product specialist in May 2023 . The seamless integration of the business has already led to a reported £ 5m increase in sales .
The deal gives the Coventry company the opportunity to diversify into a new product range , as well as establishing
an important foothold in the rapidly emerging renewables and thermal energy storage markets . Wardtec customers , said the company , have also benefited from being part of a larger group with the additional resources and security of supply which that brings .
Regular investment in new warehousing , equipment and company-wide training has seen Lawton Tubes achieve year-on-year growth for the last decade , with turnover touching £ 230m and a workforce of just over 140 located at its headquarters in Coventry and a second site in Poole .
Founded in 1982 , Wardtec specialises in the design , manufacture and supply of fittings and assemblies for the water management industry . Most of its fittings
Anthony Ward , MD , Wardtec .
Profile Metal Forming has installed a 630-ton AIDA straightside mechanical press .
are designed for seamless connections between pipework and stored water vessels for use by plumbing and heating professionals . Investment in new CNC machining capabilities and continuous staff training has seen it develop a reputation for reverse engineering and high-end CAD / CAM solutions .
Anthony Ward , who took over as MD of Wardtec from his father in 2005 , added his support : “ A lot has changed since we started the business in the family garage over 42 years ago and any deal we did had to build on our current position as the UK ’ s only copper cylinder fittings manufacturer . That is why the Lawton acquisition was so perfect for us . We share similar sectors , the same commitment to quality and the same values that only exist in a family-run company . The synergy was perfect , and we knew having the additional backing and purchasing power could unlock new opportunities in both our established markets and in new ones that could be brought to the table . That is exactly what has happened in the first eight months with the growth in joint sales across both sides of the business . This is just the start !” he commented . n
www . lawtontubes . co . uk
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