Welcome to the Friday Brief for 28 March 2014.
The build-up to the MACH 2014 Exhibition is continuing apace with just over a week to go. Pre-registration figures continue to be well ahead of previous years and trade press previews have been very positive. Don’t forget to download the free MACH 2014 App. This useful guide will provide you with an interactive listing of exhibitors, stand locations and floor plans; seminar and speakers’ details. So see the story in this week’s Friday Brief to find out how to download the App.
Economic news this week has figures for the final quarter of 2013 showing UK investment is up when comparing with the equivalent period in 2012. This supports the general view among forecasters that investment is gathering momentum and is encouraging news before the MACH 2014 Exhibition.
Other good news this week was the announcement from MTA member Siemens that it is investing along with Associated British Ports (ABP) in a £310 million offshore wind project on Humberside. The scheme will create up to 1,000 jobs directly and more in the supply chain. As part of the investment a new rotor blade manufacturing facility will be built near Paull, in the East Riding together a facility at the Green Port Hull for assembly and service operations. The investment will provide a huge boost to the UK’s offshore wind industry and the Humber region.
We have news this week that UKTI is hosting a trade mission for advanced engineering companies to Central Europe, the fastest growing part of the continent, to coincide with the Hungarian Grand Prix, 21-24 July. The mission is aimed at companies operating in the automotive and aerospace supply chains, including companies at tiers 3 and 4. The organisers are particularly keen to include companies with expertise in Rapid Prototyping, Composite Manufacture and Engineering Services.
Earlier this month MTA Director General Graham Dewhurst was delighted to represent the Association at Trumpf ltd’s 40th Anniversary celebrations. You can find out more about the occasion in the story below.
This week the World Trade Organisation (WTO) issued a panel ruling against China’s export restrictions on 17 rare earths that are used as essential components by a wide range of European industries. We have the story and a link to the ruling.
Finally, the AMRC Training Centre in Sheffield has details of its upcoming CNC machining courses. These range from introduction through to advanced level, and are specifically tailored to ensure that all candidates acquire and develop the required skills in CNC milling and turning to perform at the highest level.
Have a good weekend.