C. Brandauer & Co. Ltd is pleased to announce that it has been bought by current CEO Rowan Crozier MBE, Manufacturing Director Stuart Berry and Non-executive Director David Chapman in a Management Buyout (MBO). For the first time in our 163-year history, the business will come out of family ownership. However, the same traditional craftsmanship, values of trust and appetite for international trade we have been built on, will drive us forward in the next exciting chapter. Rest assured, nothing is changing operationally. Brandauer is still going to continue to supply thin-gauge, precision-stamped solutions to a truly global customer base, with significant investment planned in automation and new technology. To support the MBO, we are launching a 10-year growth and diversification plan that will cement our position as one of Birmingham’s fastest growing manufacturers and a local employer offering high-skilled jobs.

Back in 2015, Brandauer recognised a growing issue: an ageing workforce and an ever-widening skills gap. Talented, experienced staff across the industry were retiring faster than new talent could be brought in. Something had to change. Going forward to the present day, we find ourselves in a much stronger position. We are currently working with 12 full-time apprentices across multiple disciplines, and we don’t intend to go below that number, having increased it from our targeted minimum of 10 in 2025. This article explores why we are so passionate about developing young talent, how we are working alongside academia and supply chain partners to achieve this, and most importantly, what steps Brandauer and other organisations can take to ensure the security of engineering and manufacturing going into the future. Hopefully you will be able to take something out of our approach and proven processes which you can input into your own organisation and develop the West Midlands talent landscape as a sector.

Explore the in-depth comparison between BricsCAD and AutoCAD in our latest article. Discover how BricsCAD stacks up against AutoCAD in terms of pricing, features, and compatibility, and learn why BricsCAD is becoming a popular choice for professionals seeking robust, cost-effective CAD solutions.

The award-winning booth brought together several key divisions of the Busch Group: the two brands Busch Vacuum Solutions and Pfeiffer Vacuum+Fab Solutions, alongside Vacuum Furnace Engineering (VFE) and Busch Autoclave Solutions. This unified presence highlighted the strength and breadth of the Busch Group portfolio, demonstrating its ability to provide comprehensive vacuum solutions across a variety of industries. Connecting with industry leaders The event attracted key professionals from sectors such as automotive, aerospace, metallurgy and composites. Throughout the show, the Busch Group delivered a clear and consistent message: “Vacuum Efficiency. Solved.” This emphasized its role as a complete partner in achieving optimal vacuum process efficiency. Visitors had the opportunity to meet experts from Busch and experience efficient vacuum, autoclave and vacuum furnace solutions firsthand, along with dependable service offerings, upgrades and tailored system solutions. Further technical insight was shared at the Composites Forum, where Busch presented “Best Practices for Minimizing the Risk of Cure Failures in Autoclaves,” providing practical strategies to enhance reliability in composite manufacturing processes. Tim Hulbert, General Manager of Busch UK, commented, “We are delighted with the success of this year’s show. Winning the Best Stand Award and seeing such strong engagement from visitors reflect our ongoing commitment to innovation, efficiency, and excellence in vacuum solutions.”

The COBRA DH series encompasses compact and intelligent screw vacuum pumps with an integrated vacuum booster. With a nominal pumping speed range of 2,700 to 6,200 m³/h, they ensure fast cycle times and low operating costs. The series is ideal for industrial applications such as coating, lithium-ion battery production, solar technology, or metallurgy. High performance for demanding environments COBRA DH vacuum pumps operate based on dry, contact-free screw technology that minimizes wear and extends service intervals. The advanced screw design enhances vapor and particle tolerance, which is especially beneficial in demanding processes such as coating. Additionally, the gas-tight vacuum pumps minimize the risk of contamination. Thanks to its high pumping speed, the COBRA DH series enables fast evacuation and reduced cycle times – key factors in improving process efficiency. The vacuum pumps are equipped with a variable speed drive (VSD), which allows them to adjust their rotational speed to match the required vacuum level, reducing energy consumption. Efficient water cooling ensures uniform temperature distribution, maintaining thermal stability and supporting continuous operation even under demanding thermal loads. Energy-efficient operation for all processes One of the standout features of the COBRA DH vacuum pumps is their high energy efficiency. Additionally, they can be equipped with the optional energy-saving module VacBoost, which reduces their energy consumption even further. During breaks in manufacturing, the vacuum pump automatically switches to standby mode, operating at a reduced speed. This conserves energy while keeping the vacuum pump ready for a quick ramp-up when needed.

Maulburg, December 03, 2024 – This year was the first time Busch took place in the ranking, and the company achieved an impressive result. The honour reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to optimizing its sustainability efforts and setting high standards. Roland Zundl, Managing Director of Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH says: “This medal is an important milestone and shows that we are on the right track. We will continue to step up our efforts to become more sustainable in all areas of the company.” The EcoVadis ranking has been evaluating companies on a variety of sustainability criteria since 2007, including environmental impact, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable sourcing. So far, more than 130,000 companies from over 180 countries have been surveyed. With its results, Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH ranks in the top 35% of organizations rated by EcoVadis over the last 12 months. The EcoVadis medal is an important sign of the Busch Group’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, as well as acting as motivation for the future.

LOS ANGELES, CA, Apr. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calibre Scientific is pleased to announce the acquisition of Camlab Limited (“Camlab” or the “Company”), a UK-based supplier of scientific equipment, chemicals, consumables, labware, and other laboratory supplies and services to customers in the academic, research, pharmaceutical, industrial, environmental and food & beverage industries. The acquisition of Camlab bolsters Calibre Scientific’s growing product and service portfolio across the United Kingdom. Calibre Scientific is a diversified global provider of life science reagents, tools, instruments, and other consumables to lab research, diagnostics, industrial, and biopharmaceutical communities. Calibre Scientific owns a portfolio of life science and diagnostic companies that have an unrivaled ability to address its customers’ challenges in their respective markets. Our global reach extends to over 175 countries, empowering customers all over the world. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Calibre Scientific continues to expand its product offering and global footprint to laboratories across a wide array of verticals and geographies. For more information, visit www.investor.calibrescientific.com, or contact press@calibrescientific.com

Capabilities Beyond Engineering Limited (CBE+), one of the UK’s leading multi-discipline engineering and surface treatment businesses, has been acquired by TAL Holdings Ltd and will now operate as part of the wider TAL Group of businesses.

Founded in 1998 as a spin-off from the prestigious gunmaker Westley Richards, Westley Engineering has evolved far beyond its origins. While only 5% of its output now relates to gun components, the company has established itself as a trusted supplier of pressings, machined and assembled components, to multiple sectors including aerospace, automotive, rail, white goods and renewable energy. Three years ago, Westley Engineering improved the accuracy of a production process by switching from piercing holes in a pressed component using a press tool, to drilling them on a 40-taper vertical machining centre (VMC). Although it improved the precision, it also increased cycle times substantially and made the process more labour intensive. In order to improve quality & performance, in late 2023, the company installed a Brother Speedio S700Xd1 four-axis, 30-taper machining centre. John Harland, managing director of Westley Engineering, said: “The arrival of the first Brother machine was a gamechanger. As a result, it was followed by a second in April 2025.

Carbon Exoskeleton: An Innovative Manufacturing approach Lamination of long fiber ribs: Easy location of the long fiber ribs on the mandrel’s bas-reliefs One shot process: Optimal bonding of the internal ribs on the external skin

The MAPAL Group has reached an important milestone in terms of sustainability: the largest carport photovoltaic system in the region has been put into operation at the Aalen headquarters. In total, the company has invested over four million euros in the sustainable expansion of the infrastructure at the Aalen site over the last two years. The conversion of a large employee car park at MAPAL in Aalen is a clear sign of the company's sustainable development. Three photovoltaic carports, each measuring 74 x 11 metres, were installed there and produce a total output of 500 kW peak solar power. This is the largest system of its kind in East Württemberg. "We have been working for many years to anchor sustainability at MAPAL worldwide," emphasises Dr Jochen Kress, President of the MAPAL Group. "Today we can put one result of this endeavour into operation here in Aalen. With the new plant, we are covering part of our electricity consumption and thus relieving some of the strain on the supply networks. Together with the investments in photovoltaic rows on the hall roofs and systems for the ventilation of production units, which ensure energy savings, we have invested over four million euros in the sustainability of the Aalen site." Another important aspect for the company is benefit the photovoltaic car park represents for its employees: Both electric cars and e-bikes can be charged here. The PV carpark offers space for a total of 260 cars and 60 bicycles. Currently, 16 parking spaces are equipped with charging facilities, but this can be increased to 180. All bicycle parking spaces have sockets. The majority of the car parks are permeable to water.

In a bid to reduce vendor lock-in and embrace future-ready automation, a major confectionery manufacturer deployed EcoStruxure Automation Expert at one of its largest production sites. The pilot overcame integration, safety, and training challenges to successfully implement virtual PLCs, reusable libraries, and real-time control using third-party hardware. The result was a scalable, flexible automation solution that not only aligned with global standards but also set the stage for broader digital transformation across the enterprise.

Schneider Electric and Platinum Electrical Engineering are enabling Brilliant Planet to scale its innovative, algae-powered carbon capture system using EcoStruxure Automation Expert and AVEVA software. This open, modular automation approach delivers flexibility, efficiency, and rapid deployment—supporting global climate goals with a future-ready, sustainable solution.

We deliver smart, scalable, and high-efficiency automation solutions that transform manufacturing. Our proven expertise is built on decades of experience in automating complex production processes, ensuring reliability and precision in every solution we provide. We leverage cutting-edge technology, incorporating AI-driven robotics and precision automation to achieve next-level efficiency and seamless operations. Our solutions deliver maximum impact, enabling up to 60% efficiency gains, 40% waste reduction, and significantly improving product quality. Designed for long-term success, our future-ready solutions optimise labour, reduce costs, and drive scalability, ensuring sustainable growth in an evolving industry.