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Hydraulic Platform Services

Founder of Hydraulic Platform Services, Rick Wood who is well known within the access platform industry has full knowledge of which products are needed to grow a company’s business therefore the hydraulic operations of a Comet Platform deliver all the essential needs to enable companies to achieve daily tasks.

We are the UK exclusive dealer for Comet Italy who is a long-established family company which was founded in 1960.

We will not only introduce the Comet Platform into the market by way of sales, but we will also provide, after sales service, LOLA’s and repair work so providing the confidence that the products will be fully supported by CAP registered engineers.

A new generation of compact aerial platforms which can be mounted onto a tractor. 12 meter working height with a 4.5-meter outreach.

14 Meter van mounted aerial platform with lateral outreach of 8 meter are available for the UK market on 3.5-ton chassis.

If you would like to receive more information, please visit our website or alternatively email or give us a call.

info@hydraulicplatformservices.co.uk www.hydraulicplatformservices.co.uk

T 0161 3990504

M 07399623971

Automation is no longer just for big business

Guidance Automation is a provider of automation solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, providing expertise and support to unlock their automation potential. The company’s knowledge and experience have been developed over 30 years and its technologies are helping manufacturing, warehouse, distribution, fulfilment, ecommerce and healthcare facilities work smarter.

At the centre of the Guidance Automation concept is its Autonomous GO service. Autonomous GO is a flexible, pay-as-you-go automation service that helps manufacturers streamline repetitive material movements. By reducing non-productive walking time, a client's skilled staff can focus on higher-value tasks such as quality control, machine operation or assembly.

With this service, Guidance Automation deploys a three-phase plan to integrate autonomous vehicles into customer’s existing set-ups. It begins with an assessment where Guidance Automation’s experts determine the feasibility of a tailored solution. Quickly assessing and advising on the project’s viability; as well as offering bespoke solutions no matter the size or location.

After assessing the client’s facility, Guidance Automation highlights areas where automation could deliver measurable improvements and outline the potential efficiency gains for each option. The company’s aim is to make the transition to automation simple, effective and aligned with the client's business needs; so Guidance Automation work together with customers to find the best solution.

The final step is installation. Guidance Automation ensures smooth installation, ongoing support and continuous optimisation to help clients get the best results from their automation solution. The first six months serves as a structured introduction to automation, allowing clients to become confident with the solution while validating the expected efficiency gains in a real-world setting. At the end of the initial six-month deployment, Guidance automation presents the results and clearly outlines the efficiency gains achieved within the facility.

What’s unique about Guidance Automation’s

approach to providing autonomous workers for SMEs, is the sheer level of flexibility the company offers. Its Autonomous GO service gives clients robot workers for free. For every hour it works, clients pay just half the cost of a human worker. This means there is no upfront investment. Clients only pay for the hours the robot works, lowering the bar to entry for SMEs and making automation a more attractive option.

Additionally, there are no installation or licence fees and Guidance Automation doesn't charge for support or maintenance. For clients this package represents zero risk to productivity. Allowing businesses of all sizes to invest in automation and increase productivity.

Guidance Automation’s Managing Director, Paul Rivers explains,

“Humans moving goods around is not a productive use of time. Usually, resources are dotted around a facility with the assembly area in the middle. Workers waste hours a year moving from station to station, when they should be focussed on building or applying their skills to the business. That's where we can come in and provide a variety of autonomous solutions to move materials…We want robotic workers to complement humans. Make the humans more efficient and get the robots doing those boring repetitive tasks.”

With its flexible service plans, Guidance Automation is doing more than simply providing autonomous workers. By working with SMEs every step of the way, Guidance Automation is building partnerships that allow businesses to increase their productivity, unlock their potential and embrace the benefits of the autonomous revolution.

For more on Guidance Automation, see below: T 01162 436250 E enquiries@guidanceautomation.com www.guidanceautomation.com

Publication Management

Thomas Reilly

Sales Manager

T 07539 070158 sales@bestpracticeuk.co.uk

Production

Robert Sharp

Production Manager production@businessandindustrytoday.co.uk

Accounts

Paul Whitaker

Accounts Manager

T 0121 824 4742 accounts@bestpracticeuk.co.uk

Editorial

Gina Burton Editor gina@freshmedia-uk.co.uk

Notes

Gina Burton Editor

Welcome to our July issue, where we dive into the latest advancements, practical insights, and groundbreaking innovations shaping the key sectors of UK industry.

On the front page, we highlight Automation GO, Guidance Automation’s flagship offering that is a pay-as-yougo solution that deploys autonomous vehicles to handle repetitive material movements, allowing skilled workers to focus on highervalue tasks.

As a UK-based commercial finance brokerage offering tailored funding solutions for businesses and property investors, Avante Financial specialises in areas such as Bridging Finance, Development Finance, Asset Finance, Invoice Finance, and funding for healthcare. On page 9, we take a deeper look into their Invoice Finance services that allow businesses to unlock up to 90% of invoice value within 24 hours.

Precision Technology Supplies Ltd (PTS), a leading European supplier of stainless-steel metric and unified industrial fasteners, continues to strengthen its market presence with expanded stock offerings and enhanced logistics capabilities. On page 8 we highlight some of their newest products including the Lanfranco range of ESL all-metal self-locking nuts (M2–M48) and nylon flat washers (M3–M30), with metric threaded bar (3m lengths) launching in July 2025.

Other topics covered: Industry, Warehouse, Packaging, Engineering, Health & Safety, Air Quality & Control, Metals, Training, Lighting.

Have any news to share?

Email: sales@bestpracticeuk.co.uk

CML Innovative Technologies: The leading manufacturer of LED signal lamps for all industrial applications

In this issue of Best Practice, we are pleased to feature CML Innovative Technologies as our Lighting Technology Company of the Year.

Over the past decade, the United Kingdom has witnessed a significant decline in its manufacturing sector marking a substantial shift in the countrys economic landscape coupled with some of the recent additional pressures including those caused by global troubles there are still many positive reasons to remain optimistic.

CML IT has been designing and manufacturing lighting components and systems for over 90 years. We offer a wealth of experience of all types of lighting technologies in combination with advanced design capabilities. Our in-house test facilities and quality systems allow us to develop high quality solutions for a wide range of industries including Automotive, Medical and Aerospace Railroad and general Industry applications such as electrical control panels.

Our 3D CAD system incorporates highly advanced, interactive optical simulation software. This allows our Design Engineers to design, analyse, modify and optimise within a single CAD environment. Electronic designs are simulated prior to PCB design and layout. CML IT has extensive experience of designing LED driver circuits including microcontroller control of advanced functions such as dimming and colour mixing. Many of our designs have undergone rigorous EMC testing for use in the aerospace sector.

With Supply chains globally likely to face further uncertainty and undoubtably

A Grupo Antolin Company

pressurised with continued increases in costs of freight and distribution during 2025, there is once again a visible push to re shore or close sure manufacture or source product where possible. CML are focused and committed in association together with our authorised distribution partners to holding suitable levels of stock and to work ever closely with direct customers with planning and scheduling departments to help ensure continued supply making sure production lines are not put at risk.

After a highly successful year of New Product Introduction in 2024, the next 12 month looks set to be another bumper year of innovation with high levels of

expectation and saturation of product release. A new range of highly durable and well tested panel indicators with an expected release of some 260 SKUs have been initiated for high performance sealed both front facing as well as the rear for to achieve an IP67 standard. Withstanding high vibration and manufactured from a high grade of stainless steel helps make them ideal in demanding application areas such as construction, military, marine environments and also opening up new application possibilities including the ever growing food processing industry.

The new product introductions to be offered complement the existing product ranges perfectly, the general ranges allows for many customisation possibilities such as sealing arrangements, harness and cable options, wires and colour options and finishes of bezels, bespoke part numbering and marking options and of course as usual the options of colour illumination, our commitment to customisation has proven extremely popular and is another area of continued focus going forward.

T +44 (0)1284 714700 uksales@cml-it.com https://cml-it.com/en

Oriental Motor: Powering the Future of Motion Control

In this issue of Best Practice, we have chosen to recommend Oriental Motor, manufacturers of high quality Japanese electric motors for the UK market.

Founded in 1885, Oriental Motor is a Japanese manufacturer of high-quality electric motors and drives with vast experience and expertise in supplying the automation sector. Known as a global entity, Oriental Motor is represented worldwide in many countries with subsidiaries and sales offices across Europe, America, Asia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

For decades, Oriental Motor has been committed to a business style that involves responding to the needs of engineers around the world as they develop and improve new products and equipment in the industries of food, transportation, industry, and medicine.

It’s mission, to provide support through its motion control systems - via hardware, software and human aspect - for engineers who strive to take the first step to make tomorrow better, reflects in the company’s values, enabling it to deliver experiences that excite and surpass expectations, providing customers with the ‘WOW’ factor.

Alongside its extensive after sales support to ensure smooth integration into its customers manufacturing, the Oriental Motor product range includes Closed loop Stepper Motors equipped with multi turn mechanical absolute encoders, Linear and Rotary Actuators with absolute encoders for high accuracy and sensorless positioning, Brushless DC Motors that offer excellent speed and torque stability in a compact package, AC Induction Motors with high IP ratings and high energy efficiency, Open Loop Stepper Motors with industry leading low vibration and noise levels, Industrial Fans, and Servo Motors with tuning free setup. All products are available in a range of AC and DC voltages, with various international safety standard certifications.

We spoke to Mike Larsen, UK Divisional Manager at Oriental Motor who explained some of the range in more detail:

“Brushless DC motor systems combine compact yet powerful brushless DC motors and high-performance drivers to offer excellent energy savings and speed stability, along with a wide speed control range. With brushless DC motors, you can downsize your application, as the motors have slim bodies and provide high power due to the use of permanent magnets in the rotor.

The αSTEP AZ Series stepper motors offer high efficiency, low vibration, and incorporate our newly developed Mechanical Absolute Encoder for absolutetype positioning without battery backup or external sensors. These closed-loop

stepper motors provide performance without hunting or gain tuning and are available with a built-in controller or pulse input driver, substantially reducing heat generation through high-efficiency technology.

Our Rotary Actuators - The DGII Series, combines a high-rigidity hollow rotary table with an αSTEP closed-loop stepper motor and driver package. It maintains the ease of use of a stepper motor while enabling highly accurate positioning of large inertia loads.

The Linear Actuators are equipped with a motor offering excellent controllability, and provide advantages over hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, including stable operation at low speeds, smooth acceleration and deceleration, programmable motions with multiple stopping points, and simple setup adjustments via data changes.”

Since COVID-19, Oriental Motor has recognised that many markets are moving more quickly into automation including robotics. As a result of this, Oriental Motor has committed resource into developing a range of 4, 5 and 6 axis robots, in particularly, SCARA robots, which are one of the most popular and easy-to-use industrial robotic arms commonly used in a variety of industries for manufacturing and assembly applications.

Oriental Motor has range of Robot Controllers to help with the easy introduction of robots into existing systems. The Robot Controller MRC01 for example, is a controller that controls a robot consisting of motors of the AZ Series and/ or motorised actuators equipped with the AZ Series. When used in combination with the programming software MRC Studio, controlling a robot becomes easy. It features two types of control methods: Operation by Implicit communication (periodic communication) of EtherNet/IP, and operation by using I/O signals. Operation programs and parameters are set using the

MRC Studio software or via EtherNet/IP.

Another product that is worth noting is the 750-watt Servo Motor, suitable for highspeed, high-precision positioning over long distances, allowing for positioning operation with excellent acceleration and reliability. Servo Motors are specialised for high-response, high-precision positioning. As a motor capable of accurate rotation angle and speed control, it can be used for a variety of equipment.

Sustainability practices are implemented at every stage of Oriental Motor’s product lifecycle. With a dedication to reducing their company environmental footprint, Oriental Motor is committed to environmental conservation, believing that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. This commitment is engrained through a promise to provide energy-efficient products, continue its sustainable development, enhance its green manufacturing, and expand on its global responsibility, paving the way towards a greener future.

Having two UK offices located in Basingstoke and Birmingham, allows Oriental Motor to combine the strength of global innovation with the power of local expertise. Its UK team is uniquely positioned to understand the specific needs of British industries, offering tailored motion control systems with quick, personalised support. Of course, this service is fully backed by a global network that ensures access to cutting-edge technology and the insights of a worldwide team of engineers and innovators.

By having this dual-approach, Oriental Motor can deliver the perfect blend of local service and global reliability, to help your business to thrive, wherever you are.

For more information, see below.

T 01256 347090 www.orientalmotor.eu/uk

The DMN-WESTINGHOUSE PTD plug diverter valve: The fastest way to efficiency

What if speed isn’t just an advantage but the new standard in servicing? Every second counts – and downtime counts ten times as much.

DMN-WESTINGHOUSE has been a trusted supplier of rotary valves and diverter valves for a large range of dry bulk solids processing industries for decades. True to our promise to provide future-proof value, our experts continue monitoring the performance of our products in practice, including in the context of customer feedback and emerging new technologies and practices.

Such new technologies offer new possibilities – and it is this potential to update and improve that eventually culminated in the launch of the PTD plug diverter valve in the first quarter of 2025.

The PTD does away with hours and hours of service time – and that translates to more uptime and reduced expenses. With the PTD plug diverter valve, servicing is quick and effective – it’s almost as if the valve takes care of itself. Say goodbye to sticky surprises or improperly fitted seals. Instead, enjoy a seamless, glue-free experience that makes your workflow faster than ever. This isn’t just servicing – this is efficiency. Every single time.

Meet the PTD plug diverter valve

The PTD plug diverter valve is especially designed to route powders and pellets in pneumatic conveying systems with minimum degradation.

Precision machining, proper sealing, and an obstruction-free internal geometry guarantee a smooth passage of your product.

The user-friendly, foolproof design enables quick on-site internal examination, servicing, and – when necessary – replacement of seals. The PTD design features no moving parts on the outside and complies with all current guidelines regarding safety in the workplace.

The PTD plug diverter valve at a glance

S Aluminium housing and end covers, installed with a dual-pipe plug (two-channel design)

S All product contact surfaces are stainless steel AISI 316/DIN 1.4404

S No moving parts on the outside

S Three FDA and EC 1935/2004-compliant silicone belly seals guarantee the sealing between housing and plug

S Pressure-tight body, ensuring no atmospheric leakage

S Fitted with static belly seals, the standard PTD is suitable for systems with positive pressures up to 3 barg

S Fitted with inflatable belly seals, the PTD is suitable for systems with positive pressures up to 6 barg

S Pressure shock resistant up to 10 barg*

S The PTD with static belly seals is standard supplied with solenoid valve and inductive position sensors. As an option, a terminal box, can be selected

S The PTD with inflatable belly seals is supplied with a complete electro-pneumatic control system, including solenoids, terminal box and inductive position sensors

S The standard diverter is suitable for product temperatures ranging from -25 to 80°C at ambient temperatures of -10 to 40°C. Versions suitable for higher temperatures are available on request

S Versions with electrical drive and/or wearresistant pipes available

S EC 1935/2004 compliant

S ATEX 2014/34/EU certification available

*Size 200 excluded

The PTD plug diverter valve is suitable for a range of dry bulk solids processing industries:

Aquaculture • Animal feed • (EV) Batteries

Biomass • (Petro) Chemicals • Cosmetics • Dairy • Food • Infant formula • Minerals • Paint • Pet food • Pharmaceuticals • Plastics • Recycling • Rubber

Benefits of the PTD plug diverter valve

A selection of the improved, value adding properties of the PTD that help you book great time savings:

S Easy, two-sided access – service the diverter from the most convenient side

S Glue-free belly seals

S Quick-connection position sensors

S Easy-release actuator linkage

S Reinforced jacking points

S Minimal service required

Thanks to these features, your operators complete with more ease and in less time, leading to minimal downtime.

Your benefits? The PTD sets a new standard in servicing efficiency, ensuring more uptime and reduced costs.

Conclusion

The PTD plug diverter valve exemplifies DMNWESTINGHOUSE’s commitment to providing the world of dry bulk solids handling with future-proof value. Applicable for a range of industries, the PTD slashes servicing time significantly, while offering unparallelled ease of use. The PTD plug diverter valve offers the fastest way to efficiency.

For more informations: www.dmnwestinghouse.com

PTS Extends Product Range

Founded in 1988 by Steve Edwards, Precision Technology Supplies Ltd (PTS) is one of Europe’s leading suppliers of Stainless Steel Metric and Unified (UNC/UNF) industrial fasteners. Based in East Grinstead, West Sussex, the company was acquired by the TRIFast Group in 2018 and now serves customers across a wide range of industries in more than 90 countries worldwide.

PTS has been ISO-certified by SGS since 1996, with its quality management team conducting regular audits and reviews of its QMS. Every product is batch-controlled to ensure full traceability, and the company remains committed to delivering the highest quality products to its customers.

PTS has continued to grow by consistently investing in its product range and building a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products at competitive prices, backed by excellent customer service. With extensive stock holdings, the company aims to offer a complete selection of Metric and Unified Stainless Steel fasteners, providing next-day delivery across the UK and fast, reliable service to Europe and worldwide.

This comprehensive stock range keeps PTS at the forefront of the industry, offering customers a true one-stop shop for all their Stainless Steel fastening needs.

Earlier this year, PTS relocated to a new, larger, and more efficient warehouse. This move has enabled the company to increase stock

capacity, enhance delivery services, improve operational efficiency, streamline order processing, and raise overall service levels. With these upgraded logistics capabilities, PTS has extended its UK mainland order cut-off time to 4:30 PM daily — allowing for later order processing and dispatch, and offering greater flexibility and convenience for customers. In addition, to support continued growth and accommodate increasing demand, PTS has opened a new sales office in the Midlands.

PTS has also added new ranges to its stock holdings: Lanfranco range of ESL allmetal selflocking nuts in metric sizes from M2 to M48 and Nylon flat washers in metric sizes from M3 to M30. The Lanfranco ESL metal locknuts are a true single piece all metal design, and have no plastic inserts of any kind. They are effective under even the harshest of conditions such as extreme temperatures, corrosive environments, and high levels of vibration. With more products soon to be added in July 2025, PTS will

also be launching a range of metric threaded bar in 3mtr lengths.

We spoke to Andy Knight, Sales Director, PTS, who explained what challenges the company foresees in the industry next year, and how they will address them.

“In an ever-changing world we get hit with challenges every year. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was a big one over the last 12 months and this is being introduced into the UK in 2026. This will prove a challenge to everyone in the industry. However, with our big makeover we have added lots of new functionalities, we continue our focus on making ordering easier for our customers. This includes simplifying finding the items they want, and improving the overall order process.”

T +44 (0)1342 410758 info@pts-uk.com www.pts-uk.com

Bradshaw Unveils New All-Electric, Compact RCV Line-Up for Smarter Urban Waste Management

Bradshaw Electric Vehicles, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of electric vehicles and waste management solutions, has launched a new range of Refuse Collection Vehicles specifically engineered to tackle the challenges of urban and food waste collection.

The Refuse Collection Vehicle range includes the Goupil G4, the long-wheelbase G4L, and Bradshaw's pedestrian PFB1500—each designed for local authorities and waste management companies operating in confined urban and pedestrian areas.

All models are available in four body configurations: high tip body only, high tip with bin lift, high tip with bin lift and compaction arm, or high tip with bin lift and rear door for food waste collection.

Both the Goupil and Bradshaw RCVs are compact, agile, highly manoeuvrable, and ideally suited to towns, high streets, and pedestrianised areas. Their compact dimensions enable access through street barriers and furniture, while electric powertrains ensure silent, pollution-free operation—an efficient alternative to traditional refuse collection.

The road-legal Goupil G4 offers two lithium battery options with a 62-mile or 93-mile range (WLTP figures) per charge. The standard G4-RCV has a 2.0m³ hopper, a payload up to 740kg, and works with 120, 240, and 360-litre bins. The G4L adds 500mm to its chassis, increases volume to 3.5m³, and works with larger 660-litre bins.

Based on the popular PFB1500, Bradshaw’s pedestrian-controlled walk-along RCV is designed for urban waste collection in areas with high footfall and limited vehicle access.

The pedestrian RCV handles 120, 240, and 360-litre bins and features a corrosion-resistant aluminium hopper. Its ergonomic tiller head allows comfortable one-hand operation. With five braking systems, automatic hill hold, and advanced safety features, it ensures safe operation on slopes.

All three RCVs feature corrosion-resistant aluminium bodies with a 90° tipping angle for easy waste transfer into larger containers or RCVs, streamlining rounds and reducing street time.

With growing pressure on authorities to reduce emissions, diesel waste vehicles are no longer viable. Bradshaw’s latest offering

delivers a zero-emission, cost-effective urban solution.

The Goupil G4 RCV arrives ahead of new recycling regulations taking effect 31st March 2025, requiring businesses producing over 5kg of food waste weekly to segregate it from general waste.

Marketing Manager Ramsy Labassi said: “Urban zones are increasingly difficult to service with traditional vehicles. Our compact RCVs overcome these challenges, offering local authorities practical, zero-emission alternatives for evolving urban environments.”

www.bradshawev.com

Best Practice Recommends

Commercial Finance Specialists

With access to an extensive panel of lenders — from major high-street banks to niche, bespoke providers — Avante Financial delivers a wide range of commercial finance solutions. Backed by deep expertise across multiple sectors, the team specialises in Bridging Finance, Development Finance, Trading Business Finance, Portfolio Finance, Asset Finance, Semi-Commercial and Commercial Investment, Residential Investment, Invoice Finance, Unsecured Finance, and funding solutions within the healthcare sector.

“We're a commercial finance broker, helping UK businesses and property investors access the right funding for their needs,” stated Aaron Sanderson, Business Principal.

“Whether it's a commercial mortgage, bridging loan, invoice finance or support with asset purchases, we match clients with the best lenders to suit their goals. We're regulated by the FCA and take pride in offering honest, straightforward advice.”

Avante is currently helping many clients across four key areas of commercial finance. Through Invoice Finance, businesses can unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices, improving their cashflow. Asset Finance enables companies to acquire essential equipment or vehicles without placing a strain on working capital. Commercial Mortgages provide tailored funding for both trading premises and investment properties. Additionally, Unsecured Lending offers fast, flexible access to working capital to support business growth, purchase stock, or cover one-off expenses.

“These products are especially popular right now as businesses look to manage cashflow and invest in growth during uncertain times,” stated Aaron.

Used regularly across a wide range of sectors and industries, Invoice Financing is a form of short-term borrowing in which your business borrows money against the amount due on invoices you’ve issued to your customers. These trade receivables are then used as collateral.

Invoice Financing can be a very attractive option for small businesses, and can make all the difference to your current assets. This is because if a significant amount of your company’s assets is locked up in receivables, and if those receivables make up a very high percentage of your current assets, Invoice Financing could help you avoid working capital issues.

“Invoice Finance is really important, especially for SMEs who are often juggling long payment terms and tight cashflow. Many business owners don't realise they can unlock up to 90% of the value of their invoices within 24 hours – giving them the flexibility to pay suppliers, take on new work, or simply breathe easier.

It's not just for large firms – we're helping businesses of all sizes, from haulage and construction to professional services, making Invoice Finance work for them. It can be a real game-changer, and we're passionate about making sure more people know it's an option,” said Aaron.

Avante is filling the gap that a traditional bank manager or relationship manager

simply can’t. Across the UK, businesses are finding it hard to find someone who really understands their business, and can support them across all their finance needs. This is what Avante does best.

“At Avante, we work closely with our clients to provide that ongoing, trusted support – whether they need help managing cashflow, purchasing new equipment, acquiring commercial premises, or even buying another business. We take the time to understand their goals and bring in the right lenders at the right time. As lenders tighten criteria, having that kind of handson support makes all the difference,” added Aaron.

Another area that Avanta has seen an increase in demand is for is working capital support, particularly through Invoice Finance. Working capital is extremely important for businesses and shouldn’t be ignored. By managing your working capital effectively, you’re helping to make sure that your business maintains adequate cash flow to fund its operations and to cover any costs. This is another area where Avante’s Invoice Finance services come in extremely useful.

From funding logistics for companies in the Midlands to helping pharmacies restructure their finances with commercial mortgages, Avante Financial has the capabilities to work across a wide range of projects.

If you’re looking for new ways to move your business forward, get in touch with Avante Financial below.

www.avantefinancial.co.uk

Speeding-up and Simplifying Product Compliance

Comply Express SmartCert™ is an innovative online software solution designed to transform the way manufacturers and importers manage product compliance. Developed to replace cumbersome spreadsheets and fragmented systems, SmartCert™ streamlines the creation, hosting, and maintenance of CE and/or UKCA marking Technical Files (TFs), providing a fast, reliable, and user-friendly platform.

SmartCert™ acts as a centralised hub for compliance documentation, ensuring your

files are always up-to-date, securely stored on AWS, and easily accessible. Whether you're compiling complex product data or need to deliver TFs to market surveillance authorities, SmartCert™ makes it simple and efficient.

A standout feature is ‘Standards Watch’, a built-in monitoring service that continuously tracks changes in legislation and standards across several industry sectors. Users are proactively alerted when relevant updates impact their stored projects. In addition,

Product Approvals Ltd

SmartCert™ can generate multilingual Declarations of Conformity (DoCs) and full compliance strategy review reports tailored to your product type.

SmartCert™ continues to evolve, helping businesses turn complex compliance challenges into streamlined, strategic processes.

For more information contact us at info@ complyexpress.com

Product Approvals Ltd is here to help you with your product certification requirements and getting your product on sale in your target markets as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

We help manufacturers and importers get their new products on sale in target markets as soon as possible by helping them meet applicable regulations - like UKCA (and/or CE) marking for the UK, CE marking for the EU, UL certification management for the USA, CB scheme

management for multi-country product launches, and more.

As well as handling one-off projects, whether small or large, we provide a managed product compliance service 'CMS' (Compliance Management Service).

CMS is a competitively priced subscriptionbased service where we become your outsourced compliance department. We project manage your approvals for you, including testing (such as electromagnetic

compatibility, safety, and environmental tests) in our well-equipped testing laboratory as part of the fee, for relevant product types. Self-certification testing is included within the CMS, according to T&Cs.

Fast-track your product certification with expert compliance management- saving you time, hassle and cost!

For more information contact us at info@ productapprovals.co.uk or 01588 620192

Mikos Gyros unwrap growth with Invoice Finance facility

Mikos Gyros, one of the UK’s fastestgrowing Greek food brands, is using a tailored Invoice Finance facility from Optimum Finance to support its expansion in retail and e-commerce.

Founded by Hugo Ushida, Mikos Gyros began after he discovered a modern take on Greek street food in Melbourne. Back in the UK, he opened the first site in Clapham in 2017, followed by Brixton.

By 2020, Mikos Gyros became Deliveroo’s busiest restaurant, winning “Best Meal Under £10” the following year.

In 2023, Hugo launched a premium Greek grocery range. With surging demand came financial pressures, prompting a partnership with Optimum Finance. Invoice Finance releases cash from unpaid invoices, letting the brand reinvest in growth. "We now have the liquidity to keep pace with our growth," says Hugo.

Mikos Gyros operates in two booming sectors: a £3 billion UK retail world

foods market and a £2.8 billion takeaway kebab sector. With gyros outperforming fajitas on Google Trends for three summers, Mikos Gyros is building momentum to rival established brands.

Future plans include Amazon listings, major UK retail deals, and international expansion. “Optimum’s flexibility and efficiency have been invaluable,” says Hugo. Access to finance is fuelling Mikos Gyros’ journey from popular restaurant to household name.

KABELSCHLEPP Metool develops retrofit kit for storage system specialist

DEMATIC

Less noise, less wear, and a longer service life: With the TKVG (vertical guide), KABELSCHLEPP Metool has developed a smart retrofit solution for the shelf stacker cranes from DEMATIC.

The aluminum duct system for vertically suspended applications stabilizes the cable carriers while minimizing operating noise

and maintenance work. The TKVG is now being used successfully by different end customers.

We can also provide technical or application reports. Please give us a call. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us under +49 4181 92892-36 or ie@koehlerpartner.de.

Huge boost for UK's advanced manufacturing sector with multi-billionpound funding commitment until 2035

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds tells auto leaders the Government has “laid the foundation for this sector to succeed” following publication of the Industrial Strategy’s Advanced Manufacturing plan.

Reynolds will deliver a speech to 300 industry leaders at the SMMT International Automotive Summit in London today [24 June] where he will say that the UK auto sector will be boosted by a £2 billion funding package to 2030 and an additional £500m to 2035.

The plan will deliver a 10-year commitment and provide certainty to the sector, helping ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development through DRIVE35 (Driving Research and Investment in Vehicle Electrification), a new programme supporting tens of thousands of jobs as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

This funding forms part of government’s ambition to increase business investment in advanced manufacturing by 2035, giving British firms an edge in future industries and driving national growth.

This includes up to £2.3 billion over 10 years to extend the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, £625 million for construction skills to train new workers for infrastructure, and £452 million to 2030 for the Battery Innovation Programme to boost domestic production.

With 80 percent of UK-made cars exported, the Business Secretary is expected to highlight efforts to improve trade, citing the UK as the first to sign a deal with the US reducing tariffs for the sector – alongside recent deals with the EU and India, ahead of the UK’s Trade Strategy launch this week.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is expected to say:

“Economic growth is our number one priority... creating the right conditions for investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.

“Our modern Industrial Strategy will... support tens of thousands of jobs, and help put more money in people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

“Government and business working hand in hand to make working people better off is

what this Government promised and what we will deliver.”

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “This strategy is the policy framework the sector has long-sought... implementation at pace is essential, especially to reduce the UK’s high energy costs.”

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said:

“With strong and sustained Government support, the UK can be a world-leader in this emerging trillion-dollar industry.”

Carl Ennis, UK CEO of Siemens, said: “This strategy creates the right environment for businesses to accelerate investment and unlock productivity gains.”

Katherine Bennett CBE, CEO of High Value Manufacturing Catapult, said:

“This strategy is a pivotal step toward transforming the UK into an industrial powerhouse.”

For more information on the event: www.smmt.co.uk/event/smmt-internationalautomotive-summit/

Rhenus Road Freight launches domestic distribution service

The road freight business unit of the Rhenus Group has launched a dedicated UK domestic distribution service. Tailored for all freight types, the move strengthens the company’s existing portfolio of international road freight and charter services.

The service allows customers to transport all freight types, including oversized loads, UK-wide. The launch follows a successful pilot phase among a selected customer base, with customers benefiting from simplified operations.

It uses both Rhenus-owned trucks (from Corby and Bradford) and subcontracted vehicles managed by the Rhenus Group (from Cannock). Scalable fleet options will be tailored to volume requirements.

Customers can book unlimited, multiple pallets via the portal, with full track-and-trace capabilities. Live customer service support is available.

The move follows the recent

appointment of Marion Simpson as Managing Director, Rhenus Road Freight UK. She previously served as Commercial Director.

The launch supports the Rhenus Group’s strategy to future-proof operations, drive sustainable growth, and deliver tailored logistics solutions to its global customer base.

“This launch is an exciting milestone,” Simpson explained. “We pride ourselves on high service levels tailored to each customer. Feedback during the pilot has been excellent. We’re continually reviewing how to make logistics smoother and help customers achieve greater efficiency.”

For more, visit: www.rhenus. group/uk/en/.

Nuvolt turns to Vanaways for first fleet purchase

Nuvolt, a renewable energy specialist based in Cardiff, has upgraded its fleet by replacing leased vehicles with two new Peugeot Boxers from Vanaways.

Established in 2021, Nuvolt provides services such as solar panel installations, battery storage, and EV charging solutions to the commercial and public sectors.

Initially relying on leased vehicles to establish itself, Nuvolt chose to invest in its own vans to better meet its needs and enhance its brand image. Managing Director Matthew Phillips praised Vanaways for their customerfocused approach, noting that the vans were delivered on time and to specification.

The new fleet includes two Peugeot Boxer L2H2s in Professional Premium+ specification, with 140ps 2.2-litre BlueHDi engines. A smaller

Peugeot Partner Blue HDi 100 was also provided for Nuvolt’s sister company, Focus MEP. The vehicles are used daily for tasks such as site surveys, installations, and maintenance, tailored to Nuvolt’s nationwide operations.

Phillips highlighted the comfort of the vans, including double passenger seats, air conditioning, and smartphone-compatible touch-screen consoles. Looking ahead, Nuvolt plans to explore electric vans once battery range becomes suitable for their needs, with Vanaways as a trusted partner.

www.nuvolt.co.uk www.vanaways.co.uk

Beyond plastic:

Why water-resistant paper packaging is the future of sustainable shipping

With 75% of consumers more likely to purchase green products (Deloitte), sustainability in shipping is essential. Planetfriendly coatings offer waterresistant, eco-friendly packaging with clear brand and consumer benefits.

What is water-resistant paper packaging?

Traditional packaging uses plastic for moisture protection but isn’t recyclable. Switching to 100% biodegradable coatings offers the same protection without harming the planet or brand values.

What industries use it?

This packaging suits various industries. In produce, it keeps perishables fresh. In horticulture, it protects plants. In eCommerce, it reduces damage from moisture in transit.

Benefits of water-resistant paper packaging

S It protects and preserves

goods: It maintains product quality and appearance during transit, helping boost customer confidence and satisfaction.

S It extends shelf life: A moisture barrier keeps produce fresh and protected, preventing spoilage from rain or spills.

S It minimises mould risk: It protects against bacteria and contamination, maintaining quality throughout the supply chain.

S It improves brand reputation: Positive unboxing boosts satisfaction and loyalty. Eco-packaging also shows commitment to sustainability.

S It reduces returns: Reliable protection lowers return rates and costs.

How is it sustainable?

Made with recyclable coatings, it meets eco demands and cuts environmental impact. At Smurfit Westrock, we offer protective, planet-friendly paper packaging.

www.smurfitwestrock.com

Hunter Luxury redefines exclusivity with Glenlivet 50-Year Packaging

Luxury packaging expert Hunter Luxury has unveiled one of the most exclusive packaging launches in history – 12 bespoke wooden boxes for The Glenlivet: The Twelve Elements, a 50-yearold single malt whisky.

The collection features 12 unique bottles, each containing a blend of two casks aged since 1974 and bottled at 47.4% cask strength. Each bottle is labelled after one of the elements needed to craft the finest whisky: air, barley, cooper, copper, the distiller, earth, fire, heritage, time, water, wood, and the angel’s share.

Each bottle is housed in a handcarved wooden box by Hunter Luxury, finished in high-gloss lacquer with metal detailing and a printed hydrographic ‘moat’ frame. A bespoke electroplated brass amulet, themed to one of the 12 elements, seals each box.

“This was a uniquely exciting project,” said Paul Hamilton, Head of Spirits at Hunter Luxury. “With only 12 units and a quick turnaround, quality control and

precision were crucial. We're thrilled with the result.”

The whisky is traditionally distilled but features AI-generated labels and is sold via The Whisky Exchange Cabinet, a blockchainenabled marketplace providing proof of ownership via NFT.

The Glenlivet: The Twelve Elements collection is on sale at The Whisky Exchange Cabinet now at an initial price of €40,000.

To learn more about Hunter Luxury’s premium packaging expertise, visit www. hunterluxury.com.

Hikrobot integrates Wiferion technology into AMRs

In the automotive industry, every second counts. AMRs must work without interruption—charging breaks reduce productivity.

Hikrobot, a global leader in mobile robotics, relies on Wiferion’s wireless charging technology, now an industry standard.

With over 1,450 AMR types, Hikrobot supports applications in automotive production, logistics, electronics, and photovoltaics. Continuous operation is critical— charging pauses are not an option. To address this, Hikrobot uses Wiferion’s inductive charging.

Inductive charging: Efficiency as a standard

“Our automotive customers expect maximum AMR availability. Inductive charging is the best solution,” says Zongqi Wang, EU Solution Manager at Hikrobot. “It eliminates charging pauses, increases safety, and boosts process efficiency.” Contactless charging during

brief stops removes the need for charging zones and mechanical contacts. A CAN interface enables real-time battery monitoring and energy control.

Maximum productivity through seamless integration

The heavy-duty AMR H7 uses inductive charging while transporting large automotive components. “This boosts efficiency across the fleet. No separate charging breaks means higher productivity,” adds Wang.

Interoperability: One solution for all Hikrobot supports VDA 5050 and standardized inductive charging, enabling mixed AMR fleets to share infrastructure. “This technology ensures efficiency, flexibility, and a future-proof energy supply,” concludes Wang.

Customized support and solutions for all needs

The closer we are to the customer, the better the solution. This has always been Okuma’s guiding philosophy. In addition to its premium CNC machine tools, Okuma continually expands its services and networks to meet high standards and customer needs throughout the purchase journey.

At Okuma Technical Centres, companies can experience CNC machines in action, test them on real jobs, and assess the precision and ease of use of the OSP-P500 CNC control. Okuma experts are on hand to develop solutions for individual requirements, helping customers make informed, confident decisions. In addition

to three German centres, Okuma’s Parndorf, Austria facility offers in-depth consultations and localized service for Eastern Europe.

Okuma’s European headquarters in Krefeld ensures reliable support with specially trained staff offering tailored machine and automation solutions. Services include spare parts supply, spindle/circuit board repair, cutting tests, and training. Okuma’s 30 long-term dealers across Europe deliver expert, consistent support.

Subsidiaries further enhance service. Okuma Austria GmbH, formerly precisa Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH, strengthens regional support. Okuma Deutschland GmbH offers phone support, 24/7 service app access, and flexible service packages. Monthly service quotas can be used for inspections, maintenance, training, repairs, or recommissioning—ensuring full support before and after purchase.

www.okuma.eu

The Industrial Solution in Hand Protection Development

Manosun is a brand-new innovative company that designs and manufactures an innovative range of quality industrial hand protection available for all industrial applications.

Developed in 2020 from the aftermath of the first COVID-19 lockdown, Manosun is the brainchild of Steven Patterson with the support of his factory sponsor. Located in the North East of England in South Shields, Tyne & Wear, Manosun works closely with its manufacturers in China to bring product development and innovation to the UK market.

Breaking the mould of traditional offerings, Manosun’s core range of hand protection is designed to bring a change to the end-user experience with industrial gloves, gauntlets and sleeves that offer a safe and perfect fit for anyone that requires Personal Protective Equipment.

Steven added, “Manosun have the ability to work on small MOQ’s from our sponsor factory in China and the ability to develop new products for an ever-changing work environment

offering products where ‘not all solutions are off the shelf.’ From ARC, Impact, FR. CUT and General handling applications, our products are the ideal solution for a range of industries from Utilities, Oil & Gas, Electronics and Automotive, to Maintenance, Hot Handling, Circuit Boards, and Renewable Energy.”

Of course, its not just its versatile application that makes Manosun’s products stand out from the rest. Their longlasting durability is down to the high-quality materials that are used for all its products. Every product offers extra flexibility and dexterity that ensures minimal hand fatigue, and because of its 360° breathe technology, all products have the ability to keep hands cool while working.

“We also offer case quantities that is much lower than any of our competitors, and because we are a company on the rise that has the capabilities to develop and tweak products to make them more suitable to our client’s requirements, we can deliver a more personal service that is tailored to suite the end-user. As we continue to grow throughout the UK, we will be advertising to employ our field sales team for the North (Scotland) and the South,” stated Steven.

For more information, please see below: T 07468 904409 steven.patterson@manosun.co.uk www.manosun.co.uk

Westley Lansdowne Safety Consultancy

Fatal injuries are a relatively rare occurrence and yet according to RIDDOR, a staggering 135 workers were killed in work-related accidents during 2022-2023 across Great Britain. These were caused by falling from height, being struck by a moving object or moving vehicle across construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the national regulator for workplace health & safety and repeatedly stresses the importance of H&S training for the following reasons:

S Developing a positive H&S culture, where best practices are integral in all workplaces

S To prevent injury or illness

This applies to all businesses, including small and mediumsized companies and ranges from cascading H&S policies, identifying workplace hazards, to appointing workplace first aiders.

Addressing H&S advice

Westley Lansdowne Safety Consultancy is a Leicestershirebased company headed by director Thomas Sproston, with a mission to provide expert H&S advice to SME’s.

With targeted expertise in complex safety in applications such as defence, aerospace and transport, Tom has brought his knowledge to the forefront and provides robust support within occupational safety.

Products, processes and premises

Clients of Westley Lansdowne can receive support with any of the three P’s, with Tom offering particular guidance for nuclear, rail, aerospace and instrumented safety system standards.

To find out more today about safety consultancy, contact Tom on the details below and quote WLSC BP682: Contact 07476 245559 www.westleylansdowne.co.uk

Salunda ‘Red Zone’ safety technology adopted by bp on its North Sea assets

Salunda, the global leader in digitised solutions for safety-critical industries, has secured an agreement to provide bp with its Crew Hawk Red Zone monitoring solution across the operator’s North Sea assets. This follows successful field trials on bp’s Clair Ridge platform, marking the first use of this technology for well interventions.

Crew Hawk wirelessly monitors hazardous environments in real time, tracking individuals and equipment to provide anonymised feedback focused on safe operations and risk reduction.

Alan Finlay, Salunda Chief Executive, said: “This is an exciting project for Salunda and we are pleased to be deploying our Crew Hawk technology on bp’s North Sea facilities. We are committed to improving the welfare of people in safety-critical industries.”

The Crew Hawk equipment was shipped to Clair Ridge, west of Shetland, where it was tested for location accuracy, operating modes, and reliability.

Crew Hawk meets or exceeds certification standards (MET, IECEx, ATEX) and allows users to set up perimeters around high-risk areas. When someone enters a Red Zone, alarms notify both the individual and area authority.

Crew Hawk also supports workforce tracking, performance dashboards, heatmaps, and playback for reviewing incidents and optimising layouts.

For more information, visit www. salunda.com.

Anua Clean Air: Air pollution control specialist

Anua Clean Air UK ltd are a specialist Air Pollution Control company with expertise in the field of biological treatment of air and Biogas. Anua are established leaders in the fields of high performance, low-cost emission abatement primarily based on our Patented Biofiltration and Bio scrubbing technologies.

Our MonashellTM and CrumRubberTM use recovered materials as the critical filtration component. The unique properties of these materials enhance capture and treatment which in turn provides multiple environmental benefits in terms of Circular Economy, Carbon Footprint (low water and energy requirement and no consumables) and removal of harmful atmospheric pollutants.

During the past number of years along with its parent Company Anua Clean Air International limited and Italian Sister company Air Clean SRL we have been very active in the UK, Ireland and in overseas markets including Italy, France, the Middle East, China and the US. International Reference projects include Dual Pass Monashell Installations in Riyadh,

New metal scrap and oil mist extraction system at leading aluminium can manufacturing plan

A state-of-the-art metal scrap and oil mist extraction system has been installed by Impact Air Systems at a prestigious aluminium can manufacturing plant, setting new standards in efficiency and workplace safety. This advanced system is designed to manage waste materials like metal scrap and oil mist—common byproducts in aluminium can production.

Key Features of the Extraction System:

S Dual-Purpose Design

Engineered to address two critical waste management areas: metal scrap extraction and oil mist removal. This design maintains a clean production environment and reduces risks from airborne contaminants.

S High-Efficiency Metal Scrap Collection

Equipped with powerful air handling and separation technology, it efficiently captures and transports aluminium scraps generated during can-forming. This reduces waste and maximises scrap recovery for recycling, supporting sustainable manufacturing.

S Advanced Oil Mist Extraction

– Specialised filters and air circulation capture fine oil particles from lubrication processes.

This improves air quality, creating a safer, healthier work environment.

S Integration and Flexibility

– Fully compatible with existing infrastructure and designed for easy integration without disrupting production. Its flexible design supports future upgrades and scaling with production demands or new regulations.

System Benefits to Aluminium Can Manufacturing

S Improved Production Efficiency

Automated scrap and oil mist removal keeps production lines clear, ensuring uninterrupted operations and increased output.

S Enhanced Worker Safety

By extracting oil mist and particles, the system reduces workers’ exposure to potentially harmful contaminants.

S Environmental Sustainability

Efficient waste handling and recycling help the plant meet environmental standards and promote greener practices.

S Industry Impact

Jeddah, Laguna Lake in the Philippine’s, Coimbatore in India, and Sindos in Greece. For our new CrumRubber technology we have supplied new installations in the Canary Islands, China, Oman and UK and Ireland. We are also currently working with Air Clean USA on the delivery of a number of new installations for the US market

Anua Clean Air International also specialise in Equipment Health Checks and process optimisation and media replacement services. Oner the past number of we have continued to perform System Health Checks and media replacement services on the many hundreds of Worldwide Monashell Installations.

www.anuacleanair.co.uk

This innovative system highlights the industry’s commitment to operational efficiency and sustainability. By adopting advanced technology, the plant improves production while setting a benchmark in waste management and safety. It reflects a growing focus on reducing emissions, recycling materials, and creating safer workplaces. As global aluminium can production rises, these waste extraction advancements will shape ecofriendly manufacturing.

Visit our Can Process Extraction Solutions page here. To discuss your requirements, call +44(0)116 2448855 or email sales@ impactairsystems.com. We look forward to working with you.

Switch Heat Treatment Partners Now:

Why It’s Easier Than You Think

How To Switch Heat Treatment Partners

You’ve seen the warning signs. Maybe it’s inconsistent quality, missed deadlines, or radio silence when you need answers. Whatever the reason, if your current heat treatment supplier is causing more stress than confidence — it’s time to move on and switch heat treatment partners.

At Alloy Heat Treatment, we help businesses across the UK make a clean break from underperforming suppliers. And here’s the good news: switching isn’t as complicated as you might think.

The Most Common Excuses for Staying Put — and Why They Don’t Hold Up

Let’s tackle a few myths we hear all the time:

“It’s just easier to stay with who we know.”

Familiar doesn’t mean reliable. If you’re compensating for your supplier’s failings, chasing documentation, or constantly dealing with rework — how easy is that, really?

“We don’t have time to change suppliers.” You don’t need to halt production. We can run trial batches alongside your current partner to prove quality and turnaround — without disrupting your workflow.

“Our specs are too niche / too complex.”

That’s exactly where we thrive. Alloy Heat Treatment specialises in high-integrity sectors like aerospace, defence, and motorsport. We understand spec-critical work — and we get it right the first time.

How Alloy Heat Treatment Makes the Switch Simple

Switching to a new heat treatment provider doesn’t need to involve long transitions or operational chaos. Here’s how we help you make the move, smoothly:

1. No-Obligation Quote

We’ll review your components, drawings, and specifications to ensure we understand your needs — and where your current supplier might be falling short.

2. Sample or Trial Batches

We’ll treat a sample batch to your spec, provide full documentation, and let the results speak

World’s First Sustainable Metal Recycling Plant

The S. Norton Group has invested £20 million in a world-class metal shredding facility in Manchester, UK, processing 1.5 million tonnes annually. The ZZ Power Zerdirator is the world’s first shredder with a state-of-the-art drive solution, achieving 130 tph.

The recycling business is energy-intensive. LINDEMANN Metal Recycling Solutions and Mitsubishi Electric developed a system that significantly reduces energy use. Mitsubishi Electric frequency inverters make this efficiency possible.

“This installation is best in class,” said Nikolas Sachinopoulos, LINDEMANN UK.

The ZZ Power Zerdirator – 3,000 hp for high-quality recycling

S. Norton’s centerpiece is a 3,000 hp Lindemann ZZ Power shredder, driven by Mitsubishi Electric’s TMDrive inverters. It processes up to 130 tonnes per hour.

Intelligent load management

TMdrive and FR series inverters reduce load peaks, save energy, and enhance grid stability.

Optimised feed

With EtaRip Pre-shredder and Shredder Drive Assistant (SDA), the system ensures consistent rotor performance and reduced peak loads.

Recycling without borders It processes scrap, vehicles, and WEEE into high-grade metals.

Sustainability and efficiency

Mitsubishi Electric’s solutions, like the Asset Portal and RD55 data logger, support energy efficiency and predictive maintenance— advancing sustainability goals and the circular economy. www.s-norton.com

for themselves.

3. Clear Communication from Day One

No black holes, no vague updates. You’ll have a direct point of contact and clear timelines from the outset.

4. Fast Onboarding & Familiarisation

We get up to speed quickly. Whether it’s handling bespoke fixtures, tight tolerances, or specific certificatwions, our experienced team ensures a confident start.

Real Results, Not Just Promises

Over the years, we’ve helped dozens of manufacturers regain control of their heat treatment process. Our testimonials speak for themselves.

Don’t Let A Substandard Heat Treatment Service Hold You Back – Switch Heat Treatment Partners Now!

Heat treatment may be a small part of your overall production process — but it has an outsized impact when it goes wrong. If you’re seeing delays, defects, or doubts, now is the time to take action and switch heat treatment partners.

At Alloy Heat Treatment, we make switching suppliers straightforward, low-risk, and worthwhile. Let us show you how: https:// alloyheat.co.uk/get-quote/

Advantages of stainless steel for corrugated tube heat exchangers

In theory, modern heat exchangers can be made from many materials, including copper, copper/nickel, aluminium, carbon steel and stainless steel. This article explains why, focusing on the benefits of thin-wall corrugated stainless steel heat exchangers.

Material choice depends on end use. Key factors include thermal efficiency, cost, durability, hygiene, cleanability and corrosion resistance. Often, a compromise is needed: the best heat conductor may not be the most hygienic or easiest to clean.

While copper and copper/nickel have high thermal conductivity and composites/ceramics the lowest, smart design enables excellent performance from materials like carbon and stainless steel. This is why most manufacturers favour steel.

Stainless steel has advantages over carbon steel. HRS Heat Exchangers use 316L stainless steel for tubes and 304L for shells. 316L’s low carbon makes it highly

corrosion-resistant—ideal for food, pharma and chemical industries.

Achieving similar corrosion resistance with carbon steel requires thicker walls, reducing heat transfer and preventing corrugation—key to enhanced efficiency.

Corrugated stainless steel tubes enable smaller, lighter heat exchangers with equal or better performance. This also lowers ancillary costs like concrete foundations, speeding up installation.

To learn more about corrugated stainless steel heat exchangers, see below. www.hrs-heatexchangers.com

Training

Leading CPD Body Releases New Whitepaper

The CPD Standards Office is proud to announce the release of its latest whitepaper, "CPD Research Project 2023–2024." This report offers vital insights into the evolving landscape of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), emphasizing its role in career advancement.

Key findings include that 90% of individuals report career development from CPD. Yet, training providers still have significant growth potential. Professional bodies also reveal generational differences in CPD perceptions and plans to adopt AI for guided development.

Highlights of the Whitepaper

S Generational Preferences: Examines how different age groups prefer CPD delivery, from traditional to digital formats.

S Market Overview: Identifies gaps between CPD offerings

and professionals’ needs.

S AI Integration: Explores AI's future role in CPD strategies.

S Strategies for Providers: Offers actionable insights to improve and align training with market demands.

Key Findings

S 42% fund CPD personally, 33% co-fund with employers, 25% rely on employers.

S 90% say CPD advanced their careers.

S 71% of providers serve both regulated and non-regulated sectors.

S 71% offer free tasters to help learners choose training wisely.

Amanda Rosewarne, CEO, says:

"CPD is vital for professional and industry growth in today’s landscape."

Download the full whitepaper at cpdstandards.com/research.

Birmingham’s big break:

Snag a Free STEM Degree Courtesy of Millennium Point – Deadline Extended!

In a bold move that reflects our passion for progress, this message is brought to you by AI – just one example of how Millennium Point embraces technology to change lives.

Exciting news: We’re extending the Millennium Point Scholarship Programme deadline to March 15th! This is your chance to study a STEM degree at Birmingham City University – tuition-free.

Why It’s a Game-Changer:

S A Free Degree: No tuition fees. Just you, your ambition, and the world of STEM.

S Be the Future: This is your spotlight moment. We’re seeking thinkers and dreamers ready to lead in science, tech, engineering, and maths.

S Diversity Drives Innovation: Your unique perspective

matters. Birmingham’s strength is its mix of voices — and STEM thrives because of it.

Inspiration Alert: Safa Bibi, last year’s winner, is now excelling in Computer Science. “The scholarship changed everything,” she says. Be next.

Are You Eligible?

S Live in the West Midlands?

S 18+ by September?

S Want to study STEM at BCU?

S Then apply now!

Located in central Birmingham, Millennium Point is where education, tech, and opportunity meet.

Deadline: March 15th. Visit our website and apply. Birmingham, your future starts here. www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/ trust/scholarship/

NOVOSENSE Introduces Highly Integrated SoC

NOVOSENSE Microelectronics, a specialist in high-performance analog and mixed-signal chips, has launched the NSUC1500-Q1, a compact System-on-Chip (SoC) optimized for modern automotive ambient lighting systems.

Designed for applications including taillights, interior modules, and EV charging indicators, the NSUC1500-Q1 integrates seamlessly with NOVOSENSE’s NSLxxxxx linear LED drivers, enabling complete lighting solutions with RGB/ RGBW support.

"As demand for ambient lighting grows, automakers need precise dimming, color mixing, and thermal control," said Feng Gao, Product Line Marketing Manager. “The NSUC1500-Q1 simplifies designs, reduces PCB space, and lowers BOM cost.”

ERG APC

64 mA LED driver channels with 16-bit PWM. A 12-bit ADC, temperature sensor, and voltage monitor ensure realtime compensation for color shift due to heat or aging.

A built-in LIN transceiver (LIN 2.x / SAE J2602) with autoaddressing and UDS bootloader enables simplified network setup and software updates without using Flash.

Available in QFN-24, SOP8, and HSOP8 packages, the chip supports 6–28 V operation.

The NSUC1500-Q1 will be showcased at PCIM 2025 (Hall 4A, Booth 119).

Request samples at novosns.com/en.

RED Horticulture partners up with Panasonic for Greenhouse Lighting

Panasonic Industry Europe is proud to announce its collaboration with RED Horticulture, an international scale-up specializing in innovative smart lighting for greenhouse horticulture. This partnership integrates Panasonic Industry’s Bluetooth™ wireless modules into RED’s advanced lighting systems, enhancing crop yields and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

RED Horticulture empowers growers with solutions that maximize crop potential while minimizing energy use. By combining advanced hardware, patented software, and agronomic expertise, RED leads the greenhouse horticulture revolution. Panasonic Industry’s wireless communication modules help ensure RED’s lighting

Saving companies thousands of pounds by

repairing and enhancing dilapidated air pollution and odour control equipment!

The ERG Group brings over 40 years of expertise and operates through three core divisions:

1. ERG (Air Pollution Control) Ltd: Delivering comprehensive solutions for air pollution control, odour management, and gas treatment.

2. ERG APC Maintenance Ltd: Ensuring the seamless operation of air pollution and odour control systems.

3. ERG (Plastic Fabrication) Ltd: Specialising in high-quality, custom-built process industry vessels and components.

As a group, ERG is powered by a team of highly qualified and experienced chemical, mechanical, design, and electrical Engineers who, together with project managers and procurement professionals, design and supply bespoke scrubbing systems and odour control plants to meet client requirements.

A key focus for ERG is its maintenance services, designed to ensure long-term efficiency and reliability of systems.

“ERG has a strong reputation in the industrial sector with an emphasis on robust maintenance services, which are designed to keep systems running smoothly and efficiently. Our maintenance services ensure that our clients’ air pollution and odour control systems remain

in optimal condition, reducing downtime and extending equipment lifespan. This focus on maintenance helps clients achieve consistent performance and compliance with environmental regulations,” stated Troy Gunn, General Manager at ERG APC.

ERG’s maintenance department ensures air pollution and odour control systems operate efficiently, helping minimise operating costs. Available 24/7, 365 days a year, its services include on-the-spot electrical and mechanical repairs, tailored planned maintenance schedules, scrubber and vessel cleaning, inspection and repairs, system recommissioning, and operator training for in-house teams and client operatives. It also provides replacement of spent bio-media, failed scrubber internals, and other air pollution filter components. With a proactive maintenance approach, ERG helps clients maximise system uptime and efficiency.

As the leading expert in air pollution and odour control maintenance in the UK, ERG’s products are known for quality, innovation, and costeffectiveness. By offering integrated systems that meet local environmental regulations and guarantee emissions compliance, the company’s maintenance services are used and trusted by well-known water companies across the UK including Thames Water, Southern Water, and Scottish Water.

systems operate efficiently in demanding environments.

“Partnering with RED Horticulture allows us to contribute to their mission to provide more sustainable and energy-efficient lighting solutions,” said Chetan Joshi, Lead Product Manager of Panasonic Industry. “Our Bluetooth Mesh expertise aligns perfectly with RED’s need for seamless networking in horticulture lighting control.”

The collaboration offers RED enhanced reliability and performance, backed by a proven track record of zero failures in greenhouse conditions. RED selected Panasonic Industry for its customer satisfaction, technical support, and product quality.

“As energy prices rise, our innovation in dynamic lighting and easy wireless retrofit is vital,” said Timo Spruijt, CCO at RED. “This partnership supports our sustainable vision for greenhouse horticulture.”

ndustry.panasonic.eu

Based in Horsham, West Sussex with offices in Jordan and Oman, ERG serves a wide range of industries including municipal waste, food, pet food, and various industrial sectors across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the USA.

“The industry sectors we operate in include pharmaceutical, healthcare, fine chemicals, chemical, metallurgical and PGM metal finishing, renewable energy, technology sector manufacturing, and other industrial sectors,” added Troy.

Looking ahead, we asked Troy what plans the company has for the future: “ERG continues to expand its services and maintain its reputation for quality and innovation in air pollution control. We plan to enhance our maintenance services by investing in advanced monitoring and diagnostics, expanding customer support, and growing our sustainable practices. These initiatives aim to provide even greater support to our clients and ensure systems operate at peak performance.”

For more information, see below. T 01403 292 000 info@ergapc.co.uk www.ergapc.co.uk

Fastenings