Lotus is creating a new sub-assembly plant in Norwich to produce aluminium components for its own Evora, Exige and Elise vehicles and for other global car makers
The 12,300 m2 Hurricane Way factory will be converted to a new high tech sub-assembly facility to house manufacturing of aluminium extruded and bonded aluminium components. The facility will also house the steel welding and fabrication of sub-frames, suspension components and other key parts for Lotus cars.
The effects of the Covid-19 shutdown saw the market for subcontracting fall by an unprecedented 56% in the second quarter of 2020, according to the latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI), but with June showing signs of recovery the outlook is more positive.
The CMI for Q2 2020 stood at 49, compared to 112 in Q1 2020. The baseline figure of 100 represents the average value of the subcontract manufacturing market between 2014 and 2018.
In late autumn 2020 Fronius International will open a new prototyping centre to develop joining solutions for customers and carry out small series prototype welding.
Trends such as e-mobility are resulting in new components and thus new challenges in production, particularly in the area of joining technology. The special systems that are required, particularly for prototype manufacturing, can pose an investment risk.
Whether you are an established designer or an entrepreneur looking to turn a new idea into reality, getting parts and products manufactured can be a daunting prospect.
Crossing the gap from design to production presents risks and can involve jumping time-consuming hurdles. Fin Brown, Project Manager from the UK-based firm Get It Made, shares his insights on how individuals and businesses can successfully take their ideas from design to reality.
Understanding the product requirements
Budding engineers aged eight to 15 can explore the world of design, modelling and manufacturing at special two-day Future Makers Clubs this summer in Birmingham.
Young people attending the sessions in August, organised by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, will be given a unique experience to work in the state-of-the-art facilities at the Make UK Technology Hub in Aston.