General Election: Are quick trade deals now off the agenda?
Just when Brexit negotiations were all set to start, the surprise announcement of a snap election has thrown yet more political uncertainty into the mix. Does this mean quick trade deals are now firmly off the agenda? Adam McGiveron, a partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, investigates. Read more...
Registration is now open for the Trumpf Open House 13-15 June
The TRUMPF Open House is a prime opportunity to see the latest Laser, Punching and Bending Technology live in action and speak to technical experts face-to-face. On top of that, there will be technical workshops with presenters from TRUMPF Germany and Austria, information stands and displays, designed to give you new ideas and keep you ahead of the competition. Register here...
Ikea seeks to make more products in UK to fend off post-Brexit vote price rises.
The retailer already makes some sofas and mattresses in Britain, but UK boss Gillian Drakeford said it was actively examining how it might increase that work while looking at other products that can be sourced domestically. Drakeford told the Guardian that the chain’s growing UK sales gave her the capacity and resources to source more locally. Read more...
What’s holding businesses back from investing in additive manufacturing?
The latest Annual Manufacturing Report has revealed the key concerns UK businesses have regarding implementing additive manufacturing in their operations. Nearly a third (31%) felt the return was not currently worth the expenditure, given the length of anticipated payback period. A similar number felt their product was too complex and therefore inappropriate to the technology, while a further 31% worried about the product performance in service and about product liability (15%) Read more...
London City Airport to introduce UK’s first digital air traffic control tower
London City Airport is to replace its existing 30 year-old control tower with an advanced digital system that will be controlled remotely from a new base. The airport will become the first in the UK to operate a digital air traffic control tower. Read more...
Onshoring boom sparks manufacturing cluster.
Four UK-based companies have joined forces to form a metal and plastics components cluster in response to a surge in new contracts from overseas customers looking to onshore. Alucast, Barkley Plastics, KimberMills International and Muller Holdings are part of The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which comprises eight sub-contract manufacturers and a specialist engineering design agency, and has seen more than £1.5m of new contracts placed by foreign firms. Read more...