ISMR July/August 2021 | Page 13

INDUSTRY NEWS

EIA joins the MTA family

The Manufacturing Technologies Association ( MTA ) in the UK has confirmed that The Engineering Industries Association ( EIA ) is now part of the MTA family and will sit as an independent identity under the MTA umbrella brand .
Commenting on the developments , CEO of the MTA James Selka , said ; “ This is an exciting opportunity for both associations and I am very pleased to be able to welcome the EIA into the MTA family . Now in its 80th year , the EIA has a proud history of working hard to represent and support its members . Onboarding into the MTA family will help ensure the EIA ’ s longer-term sustainability and by bringing key elements of the engineering and manufacturing community closer together , also ensure member businesses receive enhanced support and enjoy a
Above : James Selka , CEO , MTA . stronger , more influential voice into Government .”
As part of the independent identity , Karen Finegold has been appointed as EIA ’ s Head of the Association . She commented ; “ I ’ m delighted that we have been able to join with the MTA as part of their family and I believe EIA members will experience a huge benefit with this development . The services offered by the EIA will be enhanced by joining an allied association and the close links with the MTA have made this a natural progression .”
Sir Ronald Halstead CBE , MA , Hon . DSc , FRSC , who led the EIA for over 25 years , sadly passed away on Friday 18 June 2021 . He was 94 years old .
The Engineering Industries Association is an organisation with over 80 years ’ experience in promoting trade and representing the interests and aspirations of the UK engineering manufacturing sector , particularly SMEs .
For details of the MTA ’ s MACH 2022 exhibition ( 4-8 April 2022 , Birmingham , UK ) see www . machexhibition . com n
www . mta . org . uk
www . eia . co . uk

New investments for Bradbury

Roll forming and coil processing specialist , is adding to its labour force and accepting The Bradbury Co ., Inc . ( Moundridge , KS , USA ) applications for numerous careers at its global is expanding its test and assembly facility by headquarters in Moundridge . approximately 40 % to increase manufacturing “ Bradbury manufactures equipment for a capacity and provide additional space for variety of industries . We are expanding not testing the custom-built production lines only our assembly and testing facility but before shipping to customers ’ facilities . The also our workforce . Our equipment utilises addition , which will extend 10 ’ higher than the the latest automation technology , and we are Bradbury Group Headquarters ’ existing facility , always looking to add highly engaged people will be engineered to house 30-ton cranes . to our team . With the addition of robotics and
Initial steps are taking place in the multiphase expansion process that should be have lengthened and the additional floor space
advanced automation , our lines of equipment
complete by February 2022 . In addition to will accommodate our need to assemble , increasing manufacturing space , Bradbury test and deliver these large systems to our customers . We are excited to complete this expansion project and add capacity to our company as we continue to grow and serve our customers ,” stated Ryan Durst , Bradbury President .
Bradbury ’ s fabrication shop , where the major components required for the assembly of Bradbury equipment are machined , houses 60 various CNC machines . The custom equipment is built and tested in Bradbury ’ s assembly and test facility . Careers are available in various positions throughout the company . n

FABTECH returns to Chicago

After in-person events came to a halt due to the pandemic , FABTECH will be the first largescale manufacturing trade show to return to McCormick Place in Chicago , USA , from 13-16 September 2021 . This announcement comes as the state of Illinois moves into its final reopening phase . The event brings together all aspects of the metal fabricating , forming , welding and finishing industries to showcase technologies , innovations and solutions .
“ FABTECH is one of the largest events held at McCormick Place , bringing US $ 73 million delegation spending to Chicago ,” said Ed Youdell , President and CEO , Fabricators and Manufacturers Association , International .
Attendees will be able to explore three halls filled with the latest technology , new product debuts and first-hand product demonstrations from over 1,000 exhibitors . FABTECH has coordinated within state and local public health guidelines to develop a plan for return and anticipates more than 30,000 visitors this Autumn . It is one of over 120 conventions planning to return to McCormick Place ’ s halls as a result of Illinois recently advancing to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan – a framework to guide the reopening of the U . S .
www . bradburygroup . com
economy – which allows all industries to return to full operations without capacity restrictions . Phase 5 is based on progress made towards vaccine administration and allows for the return of all conventions , events and activities across U . S . industries .
FABTECH is made possible by its five event partners ; the American Welding Society , the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International , SME , the Precision Metalforming Association and the Chemical Coaters Association International .
“ We are thrilled to return to the show floor and confident in our ability to execute a safe event for our exhibitors and attendees ,” said Steve Prahalis , COO , SME . “ As the first B2B event to return to Chicago in 2021 , we have been working closely with our partners at McCormick Place and are excited to deliver the FABTECH experience our stakeholders have come to know and expect , while following all necessary health and safety guidelines ”.
Attendee and media registration for FABTECH 2021 is open now . n
www . fabtechexpo . com
ISMR July / August 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 13