Tag Archives: Manufacturing Assembly Network

News

MAN Group creates 50 new jobs with new recruitment push

A unique collective of manufacturers are embarking on a major recruitment drive after a string of reshoring wins and new breakthroughs in electrification technology.

The Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), which comprises eight sub-contract manufacturers and a specialist engineering design agency, has got more than 50 different vacancies currently up for grabs and is urging people to come forward to make the most of the opportunities.

Roles range from SMT quality technicians and casting experts to technical sales and CNC machine setters, with firms also placing their faith in the future by investing in a host of interns and apprentices.

Peter Davies, CEO of James Lister & Sons and Co-Chair of the MAN Group, commented: “Despite all of the economic challenges out of our control, UK manufacturing is really buoyant at the moment and there are lots of opportunities out there for firms who are delivering new innovations and world class performance.

“We need extra resource and across the nine companies we’ve got more than 50 live vacancies – the issue is trying to find people in a shrinking labour pool that hasn’t been helped by Brexit.”

He continued: “This means all our firms have to be more creative in the way we look to attract staff, and this has seen us offer new incentives, detailed progression paths and working closer with schools to try to build the pipeline of new talent coming through.

“The Design & Make Challenge we recently held is a prime example, where we put on a special engineering day for over 40 pupils, many of whom are now in talks with our companies about future work placements and even jobs.”

Employing more than 1750 people across 13 different factories, the Manufacturing Assembly Network can offer every engineering discipline imaginable, including aluminium casting, automation and control systems, forging, plastic injection moulding, contract electronics manufacturing, precision machining, high-volume pressing, tube manipulation and welded assemblies.

Its membership includes Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, Grove Design, James Lister & Sons, Kimbermills International, Muller Holdings, Nemco and PP Control & Automation.

Peter went on to add: “Nemco’s anticipated growth means it has 13 different positions available, whilst Birmingham’s Brandauer has 11 and Black-Country-based Alucast has 7.

“Grove Design, a specialist engineering design agency based in Leominster, also has two roles up for grabs in product visualisation and electronic design. It’s not just shopfloor jobs either, there’s also admin, sales and marketing positions vacant at present.

“Engineering is a great career to be involved in, offers above average levels of pay and you can be responsible for producing parts that make the world go round every day.”

Manufacturing, News, South East

Nemco joins the Manufacturing Assembly Network as it aims to push sales towards £30m

One of the UK’s leading printed circuit board manufacturers has become the latest company to join the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), as it pledges to record a £30m turnover by 2026.

Stevenage-based electronics specialist Nemco posted an £11m turnover figure in the last financial year and believes its involvement in the unique collective of sub-contract manufacturers and an engineering design agency will play a crucial role in helping it reach the ambitious target over the next four years.

MAN, which employs more than 1750 people across 13 different factories, offers every engineering discipline imaginable, including aluminium casting, automation and control systems, forging, high-volume pressings, plastic injection moulding, precision machining, tube manipulation and welded assemblies.

Attracting Nemco to the group is seen as a huge coup, with the printed circuit board assembly experts boasting a diverse client base touching many different sectors, including aerospace, defence, industrial and medical.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of MAN, for the simple reason that the group boasts like-minded businesses who are progressive, ambitious and looking to grow,” explained David Duric, Sales & Marketing Director at Nemco.

“There is no competition within the group, so there is a great culture of transparency and best practice sharing that can only be good for our business. Importantly, we also offer new solutions that complement the core capabilities of other members in the Manufacturing Assembly Network.

“It has been a tough time in the manufacturing sector due to the global pandemic and its after-effects. We effectively lost a year somewhere and although there was a slight dip in the order book during the initial pandemic, we remained strong and diversified to weather the storm.”

He continued: “Thankfully we recovered because we acted quickly. We planned ahead and we kept on investing in new machinery and strengthening our purchasing department to offset the rising costs of raw materials. This combined approach has seen us emerge in a position of strength.”

Nemco, which was formed in 1985 by Dave Pearce and currently employs 122 people at its 60,000 sq ft Wedgwood Way facility, has identified significant opportunities in the renewable energy and EV sectors and is planning to make significant inroads in the months and years ahead.

It has also recruited two dedicated business development managers for the first time, who will spearhead a strengthened sales team, tasked with focusing on new opportunities and working with MAN to explore joint opportunities.

David added: “We are equally adept at providing finished PCB solutions or assisting our clients with their own processes.

“In some cases, they work up their designs and pass on to us to create. We make up to 24,000 in one week for one client in the medical sector, so our work is extremely varied.”

MAN, which works together to win new contracts and share best practice, comprises Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, Grove Design, James Lister & Sons, Kimbermills International, PP Control & Automation and Muller Holdings.

The group has secured a string of contracts across automotive, electronics, medical and renewables following the easing of lockdown.

Education, Midlands News, News

Young engineers hit the headlines with Design & Make triumph

Three schools from the Black Country and Warwickshire have been crowned as the main winners at one of the biggest independent manufacturing-education events in the UK.

Ernesford Grange Community Academy, Great Wyrley Academy and WMG Academy for Young Engineers Coventry beat off competition from five other rivals to take the Manufacturing, Innovation and Efficiency titles respectively at the Design & Make Challenge 2022.

The trio were joined on the podium by Alcester Grammar School, who claimed the first ever ‘Communications’ prize for its use of social media in promoting the day.

Organised by the Manufacturing Assembly Network (MAN), more than 35 students swapped their daily lessons for the chance to test out their design, engineering, prototyping and communication skills at the all-day event held at WMG Academy for Young Engineers in Solihull.

Teams of four Year 11 and Year 12 pupils were set the challenge of using basic materials and tools to make a vehicle that could be propelled by a falling weight. They tested their devices, modified them and then raced them on a purpose-built 7.5m long track to see which one would complete the distance in the fastest possible time – a race that WMG Academy Coventry won in just 3.64 seconds.

“Now, more than ever, we need young people to choose engineering and manufacturing as a career and we’re not going to change perceptions by sitting on our hands, doing nothing,” explained Austin Owens, founder of Grove Design (Pembridge) Ltd and Co-Chair of the Manufacturing Assembly Network.

“This was a comeback for the Design & Make Challenge after a Covid-19 enforced break and we were delighted to see the appetite to take part was still there. I have to say the task was the hardest yet and the young people really embraced it.”

He went on to add: “The atmosphere in the room was amazing and I’m convinced we’ve seen some of the engineers of the future here, engineers that will go on and improve the way we live for the better.”

Ernesford Grange Community Academy, Great Wyrley Academy and WMG Academy Coventry all received a 3D printer for their efforts.

This latest technology was kindly donated by 3DPRINTUK, who are specialists in low volume production using state-of-the-art powder bed fusion 3D printing systems with polymer materials.

Nick Allen, Managing Director of 3DPRINTUK, commented: “We are both proud and delighted to sponsor the Design & Make Challenge 2022.

“The competition is a great fit for us. By donating 3D printers to the winners, it allows the next generation of engineers and manufacturers to learn in a hands-on way about the advantages – and disadvantages – of 3D printing for any given application. It’s something we are passionate about both now and for the future.”

Joining Alcester Grammar School, Ernesford Grange Community Academy, Great Wyrley Academy and WMG Academy Coventry at the Design & Make day were Gospel Oak School, Lawrence Sheriff School, Southam College and WMG Academy Solihull.

Peter Davies, Chief Executive of James Lister & Sons and Co-Chair of the Manufacturing Assembly Network, added his support: “The day is all about bringing sound design and engineering principles to the fore to solve a topical industrial issue, with young people encouraged to work together to develop innovative designs and then build a product they can test against their peers.

“Apprentices from MAN companies and graduates from WMG at the University of Warwick, were working with the groups and talking about their own experiences following a career in manufacturing and some of the skills they may need to realise their ambition.

“All the feedback we received was positive, which excites us about doing it again next year. We now urge other manufacturers to look at how they can play a role in helping promote our sector to young people.”

Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG at the University of Warwick, concluded: “Design & Make is a wonderful example of how to inspire future engineers – making it real and helping to bridge the skills gap, particularly in small manufacturing and engineering businesses.

“SMEs are the lifeblood of manufacturing in the UK, and they offer a wonderful, rich, challenging and rewarding destination for the next generation of engineers. They get access to all parts of the business, from working with customers and suppliers to the management team and gaining experience on the shop floor – all of this will accelerate their future career.”

About the Manufacturing Assembly Network

Formed in 2006, The Manufacturing Assembly Network is made up of Alucast, Barkley Plastics, Brandauer, Grove Design, James Lister & Sons, KimberMills International, Muller Holdings, Nemco and PP Control & Automation.

The eight sub-contract manufacturers and specialist engineering design agency form a unique global collective that works together to share best practice and secure contracts for UK industry.

It is the third year that the group has held the Design & Make Challenge and earlier competitions have resulted in 352 hours of hands-on manufacturing experience for young people, seven MAN company visits completed by schools and over £25,000 of press coverage to raise the profile of the sector.