News

UK growth figures revised upwards

Some good news for the government came when official figures revised up statistics on the growth of the UK economy. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said economic growth in the first quarter of 2010 was quicker than expected and revised the figure to 0.3%, up from 0.2%. Year-on-year output was still down 0.2% and growth was still lower than the 0.4% seen in the last quarter of 2009, giving cause for concern. Lai Wah Co, CBI head of...

News

Partnerships key to future of UK manufacturing

Collaboration is the key to developing a strong future for manufacturing in the UK, according to a line-up of speakers at the recent national manufacturing debate, organised by Cranfield University. The debate, which included high profile speakers from organisations such as Rolls-Royce and BAE systems, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), European Factories of the Future Research...

News

Regulation costs business £80 billion a year

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has renewed its call to all political parties to take the issue of over-regulation of business seriously. If we want UK companies to remain competitive, it says, government needs to step out of the way, and give businesses the freedom to operate. Achieving this requires a culture change in government. Using a new approach to measure the cost of regulation, based on the experiences of real people running real...

News

European machine tool industry turns the corner

Machine Tool Orders turned around in the fourth quarter of 2009 in CECIMO countries, after dropping by over 50% in the first quarter of 2009 (in comparison with the same period one year before) as a consequence of the financial crisis. But CECIMO comments that since order backlogs are still very low, it will take a few more weeks before the turnaround is clearly observed in sales. Recovery in the European machine tool industry is driven by an...

News

Aggregates Levy – the final nail in the coffin?

BDS Marketing Research has issued an independent analysis of trends in aggregates market since 1990, and the effects of the Landfill Tax and the Aggregates Levy (AGL). It concludes that the AGL did not have a discernible effect in decreasing primary aggregate use, but it has created serious market distortions. UK pre-cast concrete manufacturing has been put at a competitive disadvantage by imported concrete products which have more than...

News

Small firms can show Whitehall how to do more with less, says Forum

Government departments could learn from SMEs when trying to manage shrinking budgets, according to the forum of Private Business. Reacting to the newly announced spending cuts, the forum called for Whitehall to look at how recession-hit smaller businesses have managed to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of their goods and services. Many forum members have seen severe reductions in their revenue streams since the economic downturn...

News

Power industry turns to smart maintenance technology solutions

The smart maintenance Technology (SMT) solutions market for the power industry is arguably in its formative stages as power grid operators come to appreciate the benefits of asset management technology and improved maintenance practices for grid reliability. According to a new arc advisory group study, the market is poised for strong growth in coming years as a number of factors converge to drive adoption of SMT solutions, including increased...

News

Report urges support for export-led recovery

With government funding for industry thought to be at risk, a new report published by business advisors and accountants BDO LLP urges both government and business to focus on exports if the UK is to forge a prominent role in the new global landscape. The report, ‘Transitions – The New Economic World Order’ outlines the opportunities open to the UK in the new economic world order and was developed alongside an expert panel convened by...

News

HSE launches new look woodworking website

The health and safety executive (HSE) has launched a newly redesigned website for workers in the woodworking sector. The woodworking industry is one of the most dangerous in the manufacturing sector. Last year over 300 people suffered major injuries and over 1100 were off work following an accident for more than 3 days. The new website aims to make it easier for workers, supervisors and managers to fully understand the risks they may face and...

News

Changing climate triggers risk and investment issues for mining industry

According to an acclimatise report, backed by IBM, over 80% of global mining companies surveyed claim their physical assets would be affected by extreme weather events, yet only 13% report taking action to protect their assets that are critical to business success, attracting financial investment and the safety of employees. The report findings highlight the critical choices mining companies now face to help prepare their business for...

News

ETI to study technology requirements for carbon capture and storage

The energy Technologies institute (ETI) is to carry out a detailed study of the availability and distribution of suitable minerals across the UK and technologies that could be used to economically capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These may arise from distributed sources such as small power plants and industrial facilities as well as large power stations. The leading technology for carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves...

News

Economic downturn sees surge in numbers of self-employed engineers

The UK’s economic recession has forged a new generation of home-grown entrepreneurs, with more than a quarter of respondents in the engineering sector describing themselves as ‘self-employed’, and among the rest, more than 60% expressing a desire to work more independently, according to the latest survey from global workforce solutions leader Kelly Services. The findings are part of the Kelly global Workforce index, which obtained the views...

News

Health and Safety 10 – North

A machinery safety zone has been added to the attractions at the Health and Safety 10 – North exhibition and conference which takes place at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on 13-14th October 2010. As well as an educational programme put together by the British Safety Council, the machinery safety zone will incorporate more than a dozen companies and will offer free theoretical and practical seminars about the latest legislation, technology and...

News

Managing your energy and carbon future – today

The Energy Saving and Technology Association (ESTA) is encouraging maintenance engineers with responsibility for energy use or who are budget holders for energy use to attend its series of one-day 2020 Vision events. Between now and 2020, many policies, schemes and initiatives must be implemented for the UK to have any chance of meeting its 34% carbon savings target enshrined in the committee on climate change legally binding budgets. These...

News

Grants to help you cut costs and improve efficiency

‘Low Carbon’ is the new currency for manufacturers – to remain competitive you need to consider not only the carbon footprint of your products, but also your processes, equipment, materials and resources. The Business Resource Efficiency Improvement Grants (BREIG) scheme can help you take a positive step towards sustainable manufacturing. ...

News

Economic recovery taking hold in manufacturing

Further evidence of the economic recovery taking hold in the UK manufacturing sector comes in the latest KPMG Global Business Outlook survey. The data, compiled by Markit for KPMG, shows strong levels of optimism around key measures such as business activity, revenues and profits. In fact, 68% of UK manufacturers expect to be busier in the next 12 months compared to just over one in ten who forecast a drop in activity levels....

News

Manufacturers publish tax manifesto to drive rebalanced economy

The UK’s tax system is tilted against manufacturing, stands in the way of growing a more balanced economy and needs major reform, according to a major report published today by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation...

News

MTA survey shows uplift in orders

Results from the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) monthly survey for March show significant increases in order intake and invoiced sales amongst member companies. In addition, the survey reports a higher level of business confidence, an increase in new business enquiries and reveals that compared to February, more companies are employing staff than making redundancies....

News

New UK Technology and Innovation Centres under development

The Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has asked the Technology Strategy Board to guide the development of a network of technology and innovation centres that will help deliver the industries and jobs of the future....

News

Maintec 2011 dates announced

EasyFairs has announced that Maintec 2011 will run from the 29-31 March at the NEC, Birmingham, providing industry professionals with an efficient and highly effective opportunity to meet face-to-face with the sector’s most innovative people in a single visit. Maintec promises to show you products and technologies that will ensure timely intervention to prevent faults and failures, boost plant performance and productivity, reduce costs, improve...

News

Helping South East businesses go green

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has allocated £3.8 million to help businesses throughout the region become more environmentally friendly and also established a £4 million sustainability loan fund....

News

Manufacturers struggling with new emissions scheme

The new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme is now with us, but many businesses are still confused about what the legislation means, how it applies to them, and how to work with it. According to the latest npower Business Energy Index – the seventh annual study into business attitudes and opinions on energy, half of businesses believe government advice on the CRC has been inadequate and are unclear on the obligations it...

News

Environmental guidance for your business

NetRegs is a government initiative to provide free environmental guidance for small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. NetRegs will help you to understand what you need to do to comply with environmental law and protect the environment. It may even help you to save money by showing you ways to use your resources more efficiently....

News

Figures show small firms losing out on energy deals

With figures suggesting big companies are able to secure far better energy prices than small businesses the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is urging firms to shop around for better deals....

News

Industry called to action on safety alerts

All sectors of industry are being urged to play their part in sharing information to prevent accidents. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revamped its Safety Bulletin system which warns industry of problems with equipment, process procedures and substances that may lead to injury, with bulletins now available automatically via email, text message or RSS feed, as well as on the website. ...

News

Hillhead main Pavilion sells out

After the postponement of the event in 2009 because of the challenging economic climate, Hillhead has bounced back strongly in 2010, and is looking like a must-visit exhibition. The organisers report that they have completely sold out of stands in the main Pavilion, and plans are now in hand to extend the exhibition area within the Registration Pavilion....

News

Machinery safety

A machinery safety zone has been added to the attractions at the ‘Health and Safety 10 – North’ exhibition and conference which takes place at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on 13-14th October 2010. As well as the ever-changing educational programme, which is put together by the British Safety Council, the machinery safety zone will incorporate more than a dozen companies and will offer free theoretical and practical seminars about the latest...

News

SummitSkills responds to government higher education policy

SummitSkills, The sector skills council for Building services engineering (BSE), has welcomed the publication of the government’s higher ambitions framework for Higher Education (HE). ...

News

Purchasing Managers’ Index Shows Optimism

The UK-based Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a measure of the buying habits of those responsible for securing materials for manufacturing firms – ventured into positive territory for the first time since November 2007 with a value of 53.7. Any index reading greater than 50.0 indicates a net increase in buying activity. The PMI report is an extremely important indicator for the financial markets as it is considered the best indicator of...

News

Paper industry safety campaign

Improving health and safety in the paper industry is the focus of a joint campaign launched by workers’ union unite and the confederation of paper industries (CPI). The ‘say no and say Yes’ campaign was launched recently in response to the high number of serious machine accidents, which have taken place in paper mills, corrugation plants, and recycling sites during the last two years....

News

MX Awards 2010 NOW OPEN

Awards 2010 are now open for entries. The high profile contest, that claims to bring business improvement to every company that enters, now has entry details available via its website. In 2009 ERIKS UK sponsored the MX Award for Financial Management, won by ContiTech Beattie, a company that supplies fluid handling systems to the oil and gas sectors. For entry details visit: www.mxawards.org ...

News

HSE accused of complacency on lead exposure

UK limits on exposure to lead are too lax and could be putting tens of thousands of workers at risk of serious health problems a new report has warned. The, as yet unpublished, report reveals that around 5000 workers, known to have blood lead levels below the UK’s recommended action level could be suffering serious ill-health effects from exposure to lead....

News

Hillhead 2010

The postponed quarrying, recycling and heavy construction exhibition, Hillhead 2010 will now take place between 22nd and 24th June 2010. The event, located in Buxton in Derbyshire was postponed in 2009 due to the economic climate but has returned strongly. A new feature at Hillhead 2010 will be an ‘Industry Information Village’ located in the centre of the main pavilion. ...

News

Energy saving schemes

If, like almost every company, you’re looking for ways to cut your energy usage, there’s a good chance you’re planning to invest in new equipment, either now or in the near future. Before you do, though, it’s worth making sure you’re aware of the various schemes that could affect your thinking. Take the carbon Trust’s Big Business refit scheme, for example. This will be of real interest to you if you’re one of the 52% of British businesses...

News

EEF says banking industry is unfit for purpose

Delegates at the recent Finance for Future conference, organised by the manufacturers organisation EEF, agreed that the current banking situation provides an ideal opportunity for change, in particular with strong support for a re-established industrial Bank tasked with investing in the future. The EEF has called for a ‘Bank for Industry’ that would bring together the various government mechanisms for supporting innovation into a single...

News

Confusion over EN 954-1 now resolved

The European Commission has finally issued a definitive statement concerning the future of EN 954-1, due to be replaced by the new safety standard EN ISO 13849-1. Originally setting the changeover date as December 29th 2009, the Commission then announced in September that this date would be put back by three years. Confusion then reigned when the Commission revoked its decision to delay, pending a meeting of the EC Machinery Working Group in...

News

Ammeraal Beltech acquires uni-chains

At a cost of 62.9 million Euros Ammeraal Beltech has acquired uni-chains, the family-owned company that produces modular belts and chains for applications in the food, automotive, paper and print industries, among others. Ammeraal Beltech’s strategy is directed at being an overall supplier for its customers by offering a complete range of belts and services. The specific product expertise and innovative power of uni-chains combined with...

News

10 Nuclear power stations not enough says IMechE study

The government has announced 10 sites where nuclear power stations can be built. However, according to Climate Change: Have we lost the battle?, a study produced by engineers, civil servants, economists and environmental scientists from the IMechE the UK needs to build 30 nuclear power stations in the next five years to meet the targets outlined in 2008’s Climate Change Act. The report questions the ability of industry to deliver the...

News

The 48 hour week

MEPs have voted to scrap the opt-out to the Working Time Directive, which could bring an end to the UK’s exercise of the clause, which it won in 1993. Following a second-reading debate, the European Parliament voted in favour of ending the right to opt-out of the Directive, which would mean that workers could no longer work more than 48 hours a week. MEPs said the opt-out must end three years after the revised Directive is adopted. The new...

News

Econosto acquisition enhances ERIKS market leadership

ERIKS’ acquisition of the Royal Econosto Group in the summer of 2008 has brought together 200 years of experience in valves, industrial hoses and flange gaskets. Econosto has a solid market position in ship building and the marine industry, in heating, ventilating and cooling and in power generation and oil and gas. Econosto is successful in project-based valve supply to its core markets and its sales are split 50/50 between the MRO sector and...

News

Energy from waste - a wasted opportunity?

A new report titled A Wasted Opportunity has outlined an action plan to prevent the UK turning into one big dumping ground. The plan, devised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) urges the government to adopt a series of measures and advanced technologies which could help reduce CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and produce a third of UK electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The report highlights the benefits of...

News

ERIKS plucks £86,000 out of air

Cavaghan & Gray, a leading supplier of own-label chilled ready meals and a part of Northern Foods’ Chilled Division, is making savings of £86,000 per year on the running costs of the compressed air installation at its factory in Carlisle as a direct result of an air-leak survey carried out by ERIKS UK. The ERIKS condition monitoring team completed the survey in just two days, without affecting the normal operations of the factory. “With...

News

New event for process industries

Process Engineering Live, taking place at Manchester Central, 10-11 March 2009, is a new event for the UK process sector. Supported by the BPMA, the Pump Industry Association and the BVAA, the British Valve and Actuator Association the event includes a free conference programme that places emphasis on current topics and groundbreaking technologies. Session themes include Process Improvement, Asset Management, Energy and Environment and People...

News

UK Manufacturing in strong position

UK manufacturers have entered this recession in a stronger position than in the past, having made innovative adaptations in response to the threat from emerging economies, according to a report published by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation and business advisers BDO Stoy Hayward LLP. Manufacturing Advantage: Changing the ground rules of global competition’ identifies two key strategies that UK manufacturers are implementing to enhance their...

News

UK’s top manufacturing awards

The Manufacturing Excellence Awards (The MX Awards) is the premier annual award scheme for the UK manufacturing industry run by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers www.imeche.org. The MX Awards programme attracts entries from manufacturing businesses in all sectors and official sponsors for 2009 include companies such as BP, PricewaterhouseCoopers and ERIKS. The winners can gain high profile coverage in national newspapers and on...

News

Bearing Up

Global demand for ball, roller and plain bearings will climb by 6.4% a year to reach $66bn by 2012, according to a new forecast from the us market analyst, the Freedonia group. Although the bearings aftermarket will be limited to some extent by increases in bearing life, it will counterbalanced by a growing demand for more expensive, better performing bearings, driven in part by high energy prices which are making efficient bearings a more...