Welcome to the Friday Brief for 14 February 2014.
With MACH 2014 now less than eight weeks’ away we have great news that pre-registration figures are 40% up on the same time before MACH 2012. We also have a final reminder in this week’s brief of the MACH Exhibitor & Training Day being held at the NEC on Tuesday 18 February. This is a very useful opportunity for exhibitors to learn how best to maximise their presence at the Exhibition and how to gain coverage in the trade press attending the event. See this week’s story for full details of how to register for the day. We also have a link to this week’s MACH bulletin with news of the latest exhibitors to sign up.
This week’s economic data is led by the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing that total manufacturing output in the 4th quarter of 2013 was +0.7% higher than in the 3rd quarter, mirroring the same growth rate as for the whole economy. The ONS has also published the balance of payments figures for December. They show an increase in exports and a fall in imports compared to November, with the trade deficit falling sharply at the end of 2013.
We also have details about a new foundation course in Metrology. This vocational course is being offered by Coventry University and backed by employers in the field.
The manufacturing industry supported recruitment database provided by TRS has issued a special invitation to our Members to consider skilled individuals who are being made redundant from BAE Systems as a result of defence cuts. We have details of how you can access this database.
Finally, we have news of Trumpf’s 40th anniversary and an invitation to Trumpf UK’s Open House at its Luton base in March.
Have a good weekend.