October 2020

Now in its 12th year, the prestigious Make UK Awards acknowledge and reward the extraordinary work of the UK manufacturing sector. The 2020 Make UK Awards seek to recognise leading lights within the manufacturing industry, looking for those apprentices and businesses that have made significant contributions across the industry. With categories across business units, ranging from Innovation, Energy & Sustainability, Health & Safety and this year’s new categories - Manufacturing Matters and SME of the Year, the Awards put the spotlight on the UK’s leading manufacturers. Along with business specific awards there are five separate apprenticeship awards, aimed at rewarding individuals that have done the most to seize the training and development opportunities presented to them. Commenting, Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, said: “Manufacturing is fundament to the UK and now more than ever is it important to recognise and celebrate the achievements and strength of the sector. “The recent pandemic has highlighted both the role of manufacturing to the UK as well as the flexibility and willingness of the sector in supporting the country at its time of need. We’ve seen highly skilled individuals across the sector step up to the plate, switching production to go from making components for cars to making PPE equipment at the drop of a hat. “Recognising success is incredibility important in breeding a positive culture within businesses and I urge UK manufacturers’ to speak up and be proud of their own achievements.” Judged regionally and nationally by independent industry experts, this rigorous competition shines a light on the very best manufacturers and initiatives across a range of categories – rewarding change, innovation, best practice, and people. This year’s virtual programme means application, judging and awards ceremonies will all take place online. Plant & works Engineering is proud to be a member of the judging panel and media supporter of the Awards event. For further information please visit: https://www.makeuk.org/news-and-events/ awards-and-competitions/manufacturing- awards News 0 6 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk October 2020 Multi million euro investment in new micro-mechatronics production centre to serve the semiconductor industry Precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon is investing more than 10 million euros in a production centre for micro-mechatronics at its headquarters in Germany. In the future, sensors developed for semiconductor and aerospace industry will be manufactured at the production centre, enabling a significant increase in its production volumes for the semiconductor industry over the coming years. Completion of the new centre is planned for spring 2021. The production centre for micro-mechatronics is currently under construction at the Micro-Epsilon headquarters. The new building provides optimum conditions for the strict production and quality requirements associated with the semiconductor and aerospace industries. Products to be manufactured in this facility include sensors for current and future generations of semiconductor lithography machines, as well as sensors used for various measurement tasks in aircraft. A particular focus of this building is its clean room and environmental capabilities. In addition to the high requirements for cleanliness, specific humidity and temperature values must also be maintained during production and assembly. In order to keep these environmental conditions constant, a sophisticated building monitoring and control system has been implemented which continually monitors and adjusts the air quality and particle levels to ensure these are maintained within precise limits. “The new manufacturing area increases our production capacity and enables us to manufacture products of the highest quality and precision, which are important for the technological progress of solutions for demanding measurement tasks,” explains Dr. Thomas Wisspeintner, CEO at Micro-Epsilon. He also considers the new building for special sensor technology as an important milestone for the sustainable safeguarding and expansion of the company’s business development. “The new production centre is a clear statement of intent that shows the business is continuing with its growth strategy, even in difficult times.” Manufacturers to recognise and celebrate successes of the sector