Welcome to the Friday Brief for week ending 23 August.
This morning The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the second estimate of growth for the UK economy for the 2nd Quarter. The quarter-on-quarter growth rate has been revised up to +0.7% (from +0.6% in the initial estimate) making the economy +1.5% larger than a year ago. This positive news complements the improving figures from Europe, also included in this week’s economic report.
The MTA’s China Office Manager has sent booking details for next February’s CCMT Exhibition in Shanghai, China. The MTA plans to have a UK Pavilion similar to the one at this year’s CIMT Exhibition. If you might be interested in exhibiting do look at this week’s Friday Brief entry as applications need to be made by 13 September. There is also another exciting opportunity next year, with the first CECIMO backed EMTE/Eastpo exhibition in July, and we will be gauging support for that very soon.
The Warwick Manufacturing Group’s SME team based at the International Institute for Product and Service Innovation is laying on a breakfast meeting on 26th September from 7.30am. The event will highlight the Group’s world class manufacturing technologies expertise and the support it can offer to SMEs looking to innovate and expand. We have contact details for interested companies.
This week we also have news of a five day short course at Cranfield University in November aimed at updating your skills and knowledge in state of the art machine tool technology.
An entry for your diaries is 6th February 2014 which will be the date of the MTA Annual Dinner. In the meantime, remember to practice your swing in preparation for the MTA Golf Day in September. There are still a few places left so see today’s Friday Brief for entry details.
Have a good bank holiday weekend !