October 2019

NEWS The employment credentials of students at the University of Northampton have been given a boost after a leading professional body confirmed the re- accreditation of the institute’s engineering degrees. Not only does the re-accreditation by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) provide students with the assurance they will enter industry as competent mechanical engineers, it also allows them to pursue careers with companies who only accept graduates from accredited degree programmes. Careers advantage “We are delighted with the re- accreditation, which recognises the exceptional courses we offer here at the University of Northampton,” said Jon Adams, head of engineering. “It provides our engineering students an advantage in the jobs market and opens up a route to employment with some of the very best companies, which favour recruit graduates from IMechE-accredited degrees.” IMechE inspectors praised a number of aspects of the engineering offering at the University, including the mathematics support offered to students; the 18 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2019 www.hpmag.co.uk University’s formal partnership with engineering companies in Northamptonshire, which offer industrial placements for students and the enthusiastic and engaged students. The dedication of the academic staff was also commended, with inspectors saying they are approachable and available for Career boost for engineers graduating from the University of Northampton Mainland China in 2018 surpassed the US to become the world’s largest sub- regional market for programmable logic controllers (PLCs), with estimated revenue of $1.7 billion in 2018, according to the latest PLCs Report from IHS Markit | Technology, now a part of Informa Tech. After a spike in PLC demand in 2017, the dynamics of downstream industries that purchase PLCs changed dramatically, taking a turn for the worse. As a result, IHS Markit | Technology forecasts the growth rate of the PLC market will reach a low point in 2019. China surpasses US in programmable logic controller market revenue students and possess industrial experience which supports their teaching. IMechE has confirmed the re- accreditation of the following programmes, until 2023: BSc Engineering, BEng Electromechanical Engineering, BEng Mechanical Engineering, MSc Engineering and MSc Lift Engineering. The global technology company Voith Group and Moog Inc., both developers, manufacturers and suppliers of electric, hydraulic and hybrid drive solutions, are currently in talks to form a joint venture based in Rutesheim. The project provides for a strategic partnership to expand the hydrostatic servo- hydraulics business in various industrial markets. The proposed joint venture aims to combine the solid expertise of both companies in the field of hydrostatic servo drives and leverage synergies to enter new markets. The new joint venture would focus on research and development, design and assembly as well as service. In 1965, the Voith subsidiary Hartmann & Lämmle, which belongs to the Voith Turbo division, was founded in Rutesheim by Hans Hartmann and Franz Lämmle. Here, the technology group develops, designs and manufactures innovative components and systems for fluid power drive, control and regulation technology, especially for the mechanical engineering industry for sheet metal and material processing. Rutesheim is the competence center for hydraulic drive systems. Moog GmbH in Böblingen was founded in 1965 as the first subsidiary of Moog Inc. outside the USA, and specialises in the development of hydraulic, electric and hybrid drive solutions. Moog GmbH is the main order, logistics, service and repair center in Europe, and is also responsible for German and Eastern European product sales. Today, both companies informed their economic committees, workers councils and employees about the ongoing discussions, which should be completed in the coming months, subject to the approval of all necessary bodies and competent authorities. Moog and Voith intend to establish a strategic partnership