Welcome to the Friday Brief for 14 March 2014.
The news this week is led by the announcement that MTA Director General, Graham Dewhurst, is to retire this summer. Graham has been at the helm of the MTA for the past seven years, which have seen significant changes. We have a full account in this week’s Friday Brief.
Exhibitors to MACH 2014 are reminded that we urgently need all ‘space only stands’ to submit their stand plans to operations@adfield.co.uk The deadline for plan submissions has now passed and there are still a few submissions outstanding. Don’t forget that all shell scheme exhibitors also need to submit a full risk assessment and machinery foot print for their stands to the same email address.
We have more details of the Seminar Programme for MACH 2014 this week. The strong line-up features some of the leading OEMs in the aerospace sector and we have news of the themes that they will be exploring. Other topics represented in the five day programme include the latest developments in 3D and additive manufacturing, developing engineering skills, promoting supply chain innovation, the prospects for civil aerospace growth and exporting to emerging markets.
There is a reminder to MTA members and MACH exhibitors of the Partnering with Czech Companies networking event to be held on 7 April during MACH 2014. The event has attracted Czech manufacturing technologies companies looking to explore inward investment into the UK and partnering deals. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore new avenues, register your place now.
On the economic data front this week we see that the ONS UK Manufacturing output figures increased in January. This follows the broad trend established in 2013, albeit with slightly disappointing months for aerospace in January 2014 and for automotive output in December 2013.
An important half-day seminar on Forging and Forming takes place later this month and we have details of the leading companies that will be sending speakers together with application links.
Members attention is drawn to a new funding scheme aimed at small and medium enterprise research and development. The present focus of the EU SME R&D funding programme is to support companies operating in the advanced manufacturing technology sector. The scheme is designed to assist SME companies rather than just projects and has a 250 million Euro fund to distribute over the next two years. We have full details in the Brief.
Have a good weekend.