Doncaster-based Agemaspark has won the Digital and Technology Award at the 10th annual Made in Yorkshire Awards 2022. Agemaspark won the award for its innovative use of 3D printing to develop a new technique to improve the efficiency of a mould tool by as much as 20 percent, and reducing cycle times for multi-impression mould tools. MD Paul Stockhill said: “We are thrilled to be named winners of this regional manufacturing award. Our new and pioneering 3D metal printing technique has now been put into practice, resulting in major reductions in cycle times for multi-impression mould tools. “Innovation is at the heart of our business, and we recognise the issues that companies face and the need for them to reduce their environmental impact while increasing efficiency and productivity and we can only do this by developing new, more efficient ways of working. “It was a great event and wonderful to see so many innovative and inspirational businesses in our region celebrating together.” Agemaspark is working with companies across Yorkshire and the UK using the new technique to produce their components helping its customer to comply with new EU regulations. Paul added: “Being recognised for our innovative approach will be a real boost to the team and will help us to showcase this improved way of working to customers in many different sectors.”

Sheffield Forgemasters, a South Yorkshire-based heavy engineering firm specialising in the production of nuclear grade steel castings and forgings, has announced it will join forces with other leading firms with the aim to supply large-scale gigawatt nuclear projects across the UK, starting with Sizewell C. To underscore this new partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed outlining its intent to supply Sizewell C. The agreement will see Sheffield Forgemasters provide a range of specialised qualification components for the project and indicates potential longer-term opportunities for collaboration on future European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) projects across the UK. Through this new strategic partnership, Sheffield Forgemasters will join the Sizewell C Consortium, an organisation representing more than 200 businesses across the nuclear and construction supply chain, which is preparing to mobilise onto Sizewell C as the construction of Hinkley Point C draws to a close. This builds on three previous MoUs signed by the Sizewell C Consortium with Wales, the North of England and East of England, which will inject over £7.2 billion into the supply chain and create 70,000 job opportunities throughout the construction of Sizewell C. David Bond, CEO of Sheffield Forgemasters, commented: “Joining the Sizewell C Consortium marks a positive step forward for our business and unites two strategically significant industries at the forefront of driving clean energy growth opportunities for Britain. We will be manufacturing qualification components in order to join the supply chain for Sizewell C, with the eventual aim, to supply components into the build. If we can secure supply into the UK’s nuclear fleet, we can continue to invest in our workforce, provide local high-skilled job opportunities, and re-shore nuclear manufacturing for the UK fleet.” This latest announcement will come as further good news for the British steel industry, which has been under pressure in recent years due to international competition and high domestic costs. It will similarly benefit the nuclear industry through deepening expertise across clean technology, which the UK in turn can begin to export globally. Nuclear represents one important aspect of the UK’s clean growth and energy security ambitions. With the backing of the British steel industry, there is further potential to support the development of technologies like hydrogen and Direct Air Capture, which will require collaboration across the supply chain to deliver. Cameron Gilmour, Spokesperson for the Sizewell C Consortium, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Sheffield Forgemasters into the Sizewell C Consortium. With a long history of supporting British infrastructure builds, their knowledge and expertise will be valuable in driving forward our ability to deliver new large-scale nuclear, with Sizewell C as the next project in line. As with other large-scale infrastructure projects, expertise gained throughout the supply chain can, through replication, drive down overall construction costs and help to accelerate the speed of delivery. Especially important for the UK as it sets about reviving its nuclear fleet. Sheffield Forgemasters is at the forefront of pioneering new methods of manufacture for civil nuclear projects. If the company qualifies to supply Sizewell C, and the UK’s future nuclear fleet, this has the potential to unlock new inward investment to help drive forward greener steel production.

A new digital  robot has been installed at the Pland Stainless factory in Leeds as part of continued investment to improve efficiency and maintain the welfare of their polishing team. The robot polisher is being put to work on stainless steel bowls, a volume line where large headed brushes improve the overall finish but can cause Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), for polishers if used over long periods of time. The investment has meant that their skilled workers can focus on more intricate products, leaving the robot to polish standard bowls with a consistency in both speed and finish. “We have always had to monitor and limit the time that our skilled polishers can spend on some of our volume lines due to health and safety concerns.” Said MD Steve Duree who has over 40 years of service with the business. “This investment has meant that our tradesmen can focus on some of our more complex and intricate pieces where smaller brushes usually result in less vibration and allows us to control any potential issues from using larger polishing brushes.  Our investment in robots is certainly not to replace any of our skilled craftsmen, in fact business is booming at present and we are up 10% on last year’s sales, so we are consistently looking for new recruits both skilled and apprentices to train from all age groups.” Pland has a long-standing reputation for producing stainless steel products mainly for the commercial market.  Their products are targeted at many sectors including healthcare, sanitaryware, washrooms, laboratory, education, catering, janitorial or their anti-vandal range for secure accommodation.

Steel rails from Scunthorpe could be part of the UK government’s biggest ever sustainable, civil infrastructure deal that’s to help finance a high speed electric railway line in Turkey, with major contracts awarded to British and Turkish businesses. The EUR2.1 billion green financing will be guaranteed by UK Export Finance, through its Buyer Credit Scheme, with Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered structuring and coordinating banks arranging the transaction. This is the first UK-supported rail transaction in Turkey for over 160 years, and forms part of Turkey’s plan to transform high speed rail in the country. The new 503km electric-powered railway line will connect the capital Ankara to the huge port-side city of Izmir. When complete, the new line will provide a faster, lower carbon alternative to current air and road routes between the two cities, helping to fulfil Turkey’s climate change commitments made at COP26. International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “Turkey is a vital trading partner for the UK. Our shared global outlook on free trade and the environment is the driving force behind economic growth in our two nations. “It is fitting that UK Export Finance’s biggest ever civil infrastructure deal is strongly sustainable. This is a proud moment for the UK railway industry, using its industrial roots to reduce emissions in heavily polluted cities.” Turkey is one of the UK’s most important independent trading partners. The bilateral trading relationship was worth £17.5 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2021, increasing by £1.4 billion from the same period in 2020. The deal will secure major contracts for UK companies of all sizes to supply to the project, with several nine-figure deals for UK companies close to being agreed. Engineering and construction giants ERG International Group is using its close ties with the UK supply chain to support the project. UK companies are expected to supply British-made railway lines, turnouts, point machines, fasteners, material and equipment for signaling, telecommunication and electrification systems, as well as vital insurance and freight services. The financing was led by Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered Bank with support from UK Export Finance and meets internationally recognised sustainability standards and is aligned with the Green Loan Principles. Reinsurance is also being provided by international export credit agencies such as SACE in Italy, SERV in Switzerland and OeKB in Austria, reducing the risk to the UK taxpayer.