t Special Focus - Plant & Works Engineering

LiftEx 2023, sponsored by CoreRFID, attracted the crowds to the Exhibition Centre located among the docks on the banks of the Mersey in Liverpool on 21-22nd November. Over 1000 visitors across two days came to see the lifting products and services from more than 80 global exhibitors. This included all the latest lifting products including hoists, mobile and overhead cranes, steel chains, wire rope, winches, shackles, web slings, rigging, spreader beams, height safety and load monitoring equipment, IT solutions and more. 

The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) presented the winners of the LEEA Awards 2023 with their trophies at the Awards Dinner on 21st November, held at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool. The winners of the annual awards recognising excellence in the lifting industry are as follows:

Ovarro, a remote monitoring specialist across several sectors — including water, oil and gas, broadcast, transportation and power — has unveiled an ambitious new Graduate Programme. The initiative is aimed at fortifying Ovarro’s operations in the water management and leak detection industry and developing a dedicated sales division. Five graduate hires have joined the global company at its offices in Chesterfield, UK.

Lifting equipment specialist, Konecranes, has launched its RailQ 3D crane runway survey programme. The package has been designed to provide highly accurate measurement of crane runway alignment and is backed by comprehensive analysis of cloud-based data.

Martyn Williams, managing director of COPA-DATA UK, explains how industry can help to tackle the skills shortage in the sector, with just a little influencing required.

In the fast-evolving digital landscape, manufacturers face unique cybersecurity challenges, with IoT devices experiencing an average of 5,200 attacks per month. Add in ageing equipment, and the challenge to maintain operational resilience increases exponentially. Jeremy Whittingham, industry consultant and member of the Advanced Engineering* team highlights the vulnerabilities associated with outdated technology and provides manufacturers with insights on mitigating risks.

In 1998 Combilift originally made history with its world-first multidirectional C4000 3-wheel, all-wheel drive forklift. Last month, the company celebrated its 25th Anniversary at its headquarters in Monaghan, Ireland with the launch of its latest products. PWE reports

The plant in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, where Hyster Big Trucks are produced is celebrating its 70th year in 2023.

Hundreds of people potentially looking for a career within engineering and maintenance at Sellafield attended the department's first careers day.

Brooklands Innovation Academy brought together 400 students aged 12-14 for an action-packed day of hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths education. Led, in person, by Professor Brian Cox CBE OBE FRS, and a key partner in the national Science Summer School programme.

On 28th September, National Manufacturing Day, local youngsters enjoyed a factory visit with a Fort Dunlop-based manufacturer today as they considered careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sector.

Cramlington-based industrialised construction and digital manufacturing specialist, Merit, has announced it has welcomed 21 new engineering apprentices to the business as it continues its growth journey.

The BCMPA – the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment and Logistics,  has announced it will be highlighting the many benefits of outsourcing at two major industry exhibitions later this month: London Packaging Week and – for the first time – eCommerce Expo, both being held at London’s ExCel.

SIX students gave up time in their summer holidays to take part in an engineering sustainability challenge which has inspired them to pursue future employment opportunities.

Having recently achieved the ISO 45001 certification for Air Products, Rachel Rawlings*, talks about why plant operators and engineers are central to the success of occupational health and safety initiatives.

A student “annoyed” at wasteful plastic hotel toothbrushes launched a business providing recyclable bamboo products as part of their MSc in Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School.

It has been announced that drone pilots have successfully completed two flight firsts on a UK nuclear site leading the way to increased safety of employees during decommissioning.

London Packaging Week organisers are warning potential visitors to this September's exhibition to move now and secure their tickets, with demand continuing to skyrocket.

In the article below Yale Lift Truck Technologies discusses how it has identified inflexibility as a key concern for fast-evolving intralogistics and warehouse operations.

A Coventry University Group’s apprenticeship course has been named as one of six green apprenticeships awarded the Coronation Emblem in celebration of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) has announced the finalists for its 30th Awards for Excellence.

Ingram Micro Logistics has upgraded the materials handling systems at its Daventry warehouse facility with the introduction of electric-powered articulated Flexi StorMAX two-deep pallet picking and put-away technology from Narrow Aisle.

As leading forklift manufacturer Combilift continues to celebrate its 25 years in business, it has launched a new model truck at the recent Ligna show - the new Combi-CB70E. PWE takes a closer look at the new model.

Hart Industrial Doors has completed a contract to supply and install a Speedor Storm at the new Kidderminster facility for TVH UK, global parts and accessories suppliers.

The BCMPA – the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics has announced that Emma Verkaik will become its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the retirement of Rodney Steel on 1st June.

The skills shortages in engineering has been well documented. Led by the Institution of Engineering & Technology, a national campaign is now underway to try once again to address the shortfall of new entrants and embed engineering into the curriculum.

The week beginning 5th June 2023 is Manufacturing & Engineering Week (www.mandeweek.co.uk) with the centrepiece exhibitions Design & Engineering Expo, Smart Factory Expo, Maintec and the Drives & Controls zone taking place at Birmingham’s NEC on 7th and 8th June.

As well as dealing with increasing scrutiny regarding their impact on the environment, the nature of the Oil & Gas sector means that employee welfare is something that must be at the forefront of an organisations’ thoughts. Experts at FPE Seals have dived deep into the numerous ways employee welfare can be managed.

ICS Cool Energy’s Cold Store containers have allowed a leading international brewery to keep its reactor vessels in reliable temperature-controlled environment and maintain consistency of the fermentation process. PWE reports.

Daemon3D Print has announced it is launching a new initiative that equips and supports teachers to deliver highly effective lessons on how to use and apply 3D printers and scanners. It is aimed at both STEM and arts subject specialists for key stages 3 and 4.

Manufacturing, assembly and testing specialist Express Engineering has announced it is linking up with schools and training providers in a new initiative to attract engineering apprenticeship talent and secure future skills.

Adem Kulauzovic, Director of Automation, Domino Printing Sciences, highlights why food and beverage manufacturers should adopt traceability solutions to protect their consumers, brand image, and bottom line.

ABB has launched its new film series: Unstoppable. This series aims to promote diversity and profile three remarkable female leaders in the mining, pulp and paper, and metals industries.

With JKH Drainage moving to a new 6-acre site to give the company the capacity to grow and take on larger projects, PWE looks at a key piece of equipment to cope with the increased volume of raw materials and finished products - a 35t capacity Straddle Carrier from the Irish manufacturer Combilift.

DuPont Personal Protection has announced the winners of its Protection Innovation Award (formerly Kevlar Innovation Award) for the European region.

CKF Systems, a leading UK automation systems integrator, has been part of the Alcumus SafeContractor scheme since its inception in May 2009 and says this demonstrates its unwavering commitment to health and safety.

Multidisciplinary engineering firm adi Group has announced it has embarked upon a huge recruitment drive amid the widening STEM skills gap, on a mission to diversify its workforce as well as employ talented individuals who uphold its responsible business values.

Students at 12 Cumbrian schools are to benefit from new digital manufacturing equipment and specialist teacher training thanks to a collaboration between 3D printing experts and industry.

FANUC UK has announced it is is once again inviting the next generation of robotics engineers to enter the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition.

Offshore Electronics has announced it will provide design for manufacture support and PCB assembly services to Fireco, a supplier and manufacturer of fire door compliance devices and solutions. The move consolidates much of Fireco’s PCBA procurement, with the company having used several suppliers prior to signing its new contract with the Guernsey-based CEM.

Alex Minett, Head of Products & Markets at CHAS, looks at what employers and employees need to consider to protect feet at work.

Wouter Satijn, Sales Director, Joloda Hydraroll, explains how companies that operate in the (intra)logistics sector need to create joined-up sustainability strategies that encompass people, cost reduction and improving environmental standing for a sustainable future.

Across many manufacturing and production sites there is often a need for employees to work alone. Chris Potts, Marketing Director, ANT Telecom explains the important role that effective communication plays, and about how to put in place a robust supporting process, which can aid when a major incident occurs, such as, when a lone worker falls from height or tumbles downstairs in a remote location and is rendered unconscious

Swiss food company Delica AG has replaced its control system and drive technology for more productivity, less waste and faster packaging, using Omron controllers (PLC) supplied by Staveb Automation AG. PWE reports.

Hart Door Systems, the specialist engineering company headquartered in Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne, has won significant export orders for its automatic check-in doors and security shutters for baggage handling systems at Jizan airport, Jizan, capital of the Jizan Province, Saudi Arabia, and for an undisclosed international airport in Scandinavia.

The Water Jetting Association is about to launch a new code of practice for pressure washing. WJA president John Jones explains why it’s urgently needed.

Frazer Watson, VP-Sales UK and Ireland at AMR designer and manufacturer iFollow, runs through the key questions customers need to ask when considering an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solution.

Neal Muggleton from acoustic experts Minuendo considers how a smarter approach to hearing loss prevention could eradicate incidences of NIHL at work.

PWE spoke to Martin Smith, Director at Technical Training Solutions (Tech Training) about the need to get the most from your engineering training providers by ensuring their courses are relevant and engaging so that staff return to work as competent, confident and empowered individuals.

A ferry ride across Hong Kong’s harbour in the early stages of a typhoon caused Doug Hart, chairman of Hart Industrial Doors, to pause – just what sort of technology would be needed to create a secure, protective, shutter that could withstand the full impact of a typhoon he asked himself writes Chris Dobson*

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