News: South Yorkshire Innovation District launches business-led energy challenge

A pioneering initiative is underway as the South Yorkshire Innovation District, in collaboration with industry leaders, announces the start of a pilot ‘Innovation Challenge’ aimed at transforming manufacturing practices through the practical application of regional innovation capabilities.

This joint effort, supported by the business community, South Yorkshire Innovation District, Four Jaw Analytics, and Made Smarter, boasts a collaboration with prominent industry partners including Gripple, AESSEAL, PEP GB, Amodo and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

The initiative underscores a collective commitment to foster innovation-led growth and tackle challenges faced by manufacturing SMEs in South Yorkshire. Originating from the Innovation District Business Network established in 2022, the initiative aims to drive a more prosperous regional economic outlook by facilitating practical solutions and access to new opportunities.

The Innovation Challenge targets energy optimisation and operational efficiency improvement within participating SMEs. Companies such as Arden Winch, Charles Day Steels, EE Ingleton, Footprint Tools, Maher, Steetley Corner, and Whites Bakery are set to benefit from Four Jaw's manufacturing analytics technology during a 3-month trial period. This solution, coupled with tech advice and peer mentoring, empowers businesses to enhance insights, reduce costs, and boost productivity.

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In addition to technological support, participating SMEs will receive financial support from Made Smarter, enabling them to embark on a digital transformation journey. Made Smarter will also craft bespoke digital roadmaps for each business, paving the way for future success in an increasingly digitised and competitive landscape.

Recognising the importance of mentorship in navigating these transformative changes, the South Yorkshire Innovation District has curated a mentor programme comprising seasoned industry experts. These mentors will provide invaluable guidance and support to the leadership teams of participating SMEs, ensuring they are equipped to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the innovation challenge.

Gordon Macrae, Special Projects Manager at Gripple, siad: "We are thrilled to unveil this collaborative initiative, which exemplifies the spirit of innovation and partnership in South Yorkshire. By leveraging the expertise of industry leaders and SMEs, we aim to drive meaningful change, accelerate innovation adoption, and unlock new growth opportunities."

The Innovation Challenge will run for 12 weeks, culminating in a "Demo Day" in May where SMEs and mentors will showcase their innovation journey and future business prospects.

Images: Harworth

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News: Supply chain soars with Boeing's Sheffield investment

Leading companies based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham are set to supply Boeing's new £20m manufacturing facility in the Sheffield city region (SCR).

Announced last year, the 25,000 sq ft facility, to be named Boeing Sheffield, will enable the Seattle firm to bring the manufacture of key high-tech actuation components and systems used in Boeing's Next-Generation 737, 737 MAX and 777 aircraft in-house, enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs.

Liberty Speciality Steels will be supplying steel bar that will be used at Boeing Sheffield where operations are set to begin later in the autumn of this year.

Investment under previous owners Tata Steel in 2005 saw the Rotherham site at Aldwarke become the focus for steel making, casting and rolling of specialist steels. The steel is manufactured before undergoing further refining at the Stocksbridge plant or the Thrybergh Bar Mill to improve the quality. The South Yorkshire operations have been supplying steel for the A380 Airbus and Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.

The bar business was moved to Speciality Steel in 2012 and a £2.75m investment was announced for Rotherham. In 2013 a £15m investment was announced to focus on high-purity vacuum induction melted (VIM) steels for the aerospace industry at Stocksbridge.

Under new owners, Liberty House, a multi-million-pound investment plan has seen the reactivation of the "small bloom" caster and the iconic N-Furnace at Aldwarke. Production of high-grade steels is up from 179,000 tonnes-a-year in 2016/17 to 292,000 tonnes this year. It is aiming to reach output of more than a million tonnes a year by 2020. It is almost all made from scrap metal.

For Boeing Sheffield, locally made steel will be provided to Maher, a first time supplier to Boeing, who will then supply bespoke steel bar and pre-machined components.

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Maher has a purpose-built head office and warehouse facility in Sheffield and an office at the AMP. A supplier of high performing alloys and machinist of finished components, specialising in nickel, titanium and copper-based alloys, Maher has been a tier two member of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing since inception.

Donna Saul, managing director of Maher, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Maher to be part of the Boeing supply-chain, providing machined components and bespoke steel bar to the Boeing facility in Sheffield. The team at Maher are excited to work closely with Boeing and look forward to supplying the service and support required to make Sheffield a success story for both companies."

Boeing is undertaking a major Research & Development programme with the AMRC to develop new manufacturing techniques that can be applied in the new facility on the Sheffield Business Park.

MetLase Ltd has been confirmed as Boeing Sheffield's tooling and fixturing partner. The joint venture between Rolls-Royce and the Unipart Group is a mechanical engineering consultancy that specialises in increasing productivity by designing and manufacturing complex tooling, fixturing and components for a wide range of industries, often bringing lead times of months down to just days.

Taking space in the Advanced Manufacturing Park Technology Centre in Rotherham the rapidly-growing company is initially focused on aerospace, automotive, motorsport and the medical market sector and expects to create around 30 high-end, technical engineering jobs on the AMP.

Already announced, MetLase and Maher's neighbours on the AMP, NIKKEN Kosakusho Europe has secured a long term partnership with Boeing to provide high precision tool-holders, cutting tools and tool presetting solutions.

Boeing's first European factory will produce 7,000 actuation system components each month, which will be shipped for assembly in Boeing's Portland, Oregon plant in the United States.

Worcester-based Aeromet International Ltd and Mettis Aerospace in Redditch also take their place in the supply chain.

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Sir Michael Arthur, president, Boeing Europe and managing director, Boeing UK and Ireland, said: "In Sheffield we have an excellent local supply chain and Boeing is sourcing from these established companies because of their high-quality manufacturing capability and talented people.

"I'm delighted to bring Maher, MetLase and NIKKEN on board as new Boeing suppliers, and to extend our supplier relationship with Aeromet and Mettis. We look forward to working together."

Last year the US aero giant confirmed that direct spending with UK suppliers had tripled over the previous six years to £2.1 billion.

Boeing website
Liberty Speciality Steels website
Maher website
MetLase website
Nikken website

Images: Boeing / Finnegan

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News: Gearing up to mark Rotherham Hospice's 20th year

A production manager for the local branch of Signs Express is getting back in the saddle to undertake a mammoth bike ride to raise valuable funds for Rotherham Hospice.

Based at Templeborough, Signs Express pride themselves on their expertise and innovative solutions to help businesses come up with perfect signage solutions, tailored specifically to their requirements.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers. The charity needs £5m a year with £2.2m needed to be raised each year through voluntary support.

Gareth Russell, production manager at Signs Express, took on a cycling challenge in 2014 for Rotherham Hospice and raised an amazing £5,000. This September he will join a team of 50 fundraisers as part of the "Big 20" - so called as it is the Rotherham Hospice's 20th anniversary.

Partnering with specialist charity event organisers, Skyline Events, the 345 mile trip from London to Paris also includes a stop at Rotherham's twin town, Saint Quentin on day four before the cyclists arrive in Paris on day five.

Gareth said: "It's an amazing experience. The French roads are great for cycling, and all the cyclists ride into Paris together. It's a fantastic atmosphere."

Donations can be made at Gareth's Just Giving page.

Also set to take on the fundraising challenge are Christopher Duff, chief executive at Rotherham Hospice and GP, Ted Daly, a trustee at the hospice.

A number of fundraising events are taking place throughout the hospice's 20th year. The anniversary ball, recently held at Aston Hall Hotel, raised £16,000.

An official launch event recently took place for the Tree of Life - an imposing, unique sculpture in stainless steel created by Yorkshire Man of Steel designer Steve Mehdi. Inspired by the shape of a tree in the hospice garden and intended as a commemorative artwork, the three metre tall structure will support over 290 individual leaves which can be dedicated in memory of a loved one.

The unique fundraising venture has already raised some £20,000; numerous bereaved relatives whose loved ones received hospice care have paid for engraved leaves and sections of bark to be placed on the tree in their memory.

The Tree of Life was made of steel donated by Outokumpu and built with the help of Newburgh Precision Engineering. Maher Ltd provided the tubular steel frame, JF Finnegan built the foundations with help from Peter Brett Associates. Mark Smithson transported the tree to the site and TPA Portable Roadways and PP Engineering lifted the three tonne tree over the fence into the hospice garden. The tree will glow at night thanks to ASD Lighting and there was also help from the apprentices at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, We are Branding and Performance Engineered Solutions. Pryor Marketing have engraved all the leaves and the bark.

"We all could help, so we did," explained Vince Middleton, MD of Newburgh, who dedicated the company's best welder, Paul Smith, to the task of fabricating the tree from the donated stainless steel and alloys.

"Paul did a brilliant job. It took 200 hours, working under the guidance of sculptor Steve Mehdi. We all felt privileged to be involved in a project which is so creative and which will do a great deal of good for many years to come."

Former Outokumpu MD Jamie Sharp, who has also pledged to supply the steel leaves and bark for a minimum of two years, added: "The tree brings art and industry together and shows the beauty and everlasting quality of stainless steel, a material first created in South Yorkshire."

Signs Express website
Rotherham Hospice website

Images: Rotherham Hospice

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News: Engineers helping Bloodhound get up to speed

Experts from Maher Ltd and the the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing have joined together to help solve a problem encountered by BLOODHOUND SSC, the British engineering showcase that aims to break the world land speed record by achieving the supersonic speed of 1,000mph.

Maher is a specialist in high strength, high performance alloys used in sectors that include aerospace, oil and gas exploration and power generation, as well as motorsport. With facilities at Brightside Way, Sheffield and an office on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the company has also acquired a plot at Harworth's R-evolution @ The AMP development.

Also based on the AMP, the AMRC has more than 40 partner organisations, comprising world leaders in the aerospace supply chain, key government offices and international academic institutions. It identifies, researches and solves advanced manufacturing problems.

The Bloodhound project hit seemingly intractable problems when the material performance needs for the shaft and nut components for the rocket pump exceeded anything freely available to the team.

Bloodhound uses a 550bhp supercharged Jaguar engine to drive the pump, which has to be able to supply 800 litres of High Test Peroxide (HTP) to the rocket in just 20 seconds – the equivalent of 40 litres or more than nine gallons every second.

The shaft and nut linking the engine to the pump has to be made of stainless steel to prevent the HTP reacting before it reaches the rocket, The pump was performing better than expected but with the increased performance came an increased load which the standard stainless material simply couldn't cope with.

The AMRC has already made and tested a number of complex key components for the project including the front suspension sub-assembly.

When its head of advanced structural testing, Phil Spiers, heard about the problems, he immediately thought of a new alloy, developed for aerospace applications and contacted AMRC partner Maher.

Maher was able to supply a sample of the material which tests showed was ideal for the pump application.

Phil Spiers (pictured) said: "Bloodhound is simply an exciting and dynamic engineering challenge. One of its key aims is to capture the imagination of young people and encourage them to pursue careers in science, engineering, technology and maths.

"It's all about showing how engineering can solve problems and is the foundation for everything that we can do to improve the world for the people who live in it.

"Thanks to our awareness of the advanced materials that are being developed and Maher's willingness to help, Bloodhound has been able to overcome another hurdle in the way of a successful record attempt."

Donna Saul, managing director at Maher, added: "We're proud of the products, services and quality we provide and committed to helping customers solve their toughest problems. Working with the AMRC to find a solution to keep Bloodhound on track was an ideal opportunity to show what we can do."

Maher Ltd
AMRC website

Images: AMRC

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News: Nuclear AMRC extend Fit 4 Nuclear

The Nuclear AMRC has joined forces with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to help more than 300 small manufacturers prepare to seize the multi-million pound opportunities of the UK's growing nuclear sector.


Based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, the £25m Nuclear AMRC is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield, The University of Manchester, and a consortium of industry partners. It provides a focal point for the bulk of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry supply chain, ensuring that manufacturers in the UK have the capability and capacity required to compete for nuclear new build in the UK and globally, from skills training to research and development.

MAS has been a huge success since its launch in 2002. It now plays a vital role in helping UK manufacturers to share knowledge, improve productivity and achieve success in an increasing competitive global economy.

Fit 4 Nuclear helps companies measure their current operations against the standards required to supply the UK's new generation of nuclear power stations, and take the necessary steps to enter the UK's rapidly developing £60 billion civil nuclear new build sector and £1.5 billion a year decommissioning programme.

Backed by top tier partners including Areva and EDF Energy, the initiative offers a business improvement journey that will identify strategy, implement new processes, secure necessary accreditations and provide supplier matching opportunities.

Steven Barr, head of MAS, said: "There is great potential for advanced manufacturing SMEs to build business in the civil nuclear sector. Following approval for Hinkley Point, we can expect these opportunities to increase in new build, as well as in decommissioning and existing station maintenance.

"We recognise they need help to understand the nature of the opportunities that are opening up and to prepare for them.

"The first new nuclear plant is likely to come online in the 2020s, but orders for the bulk of plant and services are expected to start developing from next year. Now is the time for small manufacturers to act."

To date, around 150 companies have completed the online Fit for Nuclear assessment, with the majority receiving ongoing support and development from the Nuclear AMRC team. Local companies benefiting from the scheme include Newburgh at Templeborough and Maher, who are set to move on to the AMP.

New funding from the government's Regional Growth Fund, through the civil nuclear Sharing in Growth programme, has opened the initiative to another 300 SMEs. MAS will help the Nuclear AMRC engage the wider manufacturing supply chain, including control and instrumentation, electrical and other sub-contractors.

Martin Ride, an experienced purchasing manager with Rolls-Royce, now working as supply chain consultant at the Nuclear AMRC, said: "At little or no cost to the participating company, F4N can deliver real business value regardless of your current nuclear sector knowledge or experience.

"This is one of the easiest and most straightforward sector-based programmes to access, participate in, and get incredible value from, and which can lead to increased opportunities."

Nuclear AMRC website

Images: Nuclear AMRC

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News: Development brought forward as AMP sells itself

Demand for commercial property at the "Mayfair address" for advanced manufacturing - the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham - has prompted landowners, Harworth Estates, to bring forward plans for a further phase of development.

Harworth Estates, the company created to realise the property assets of what was UK Coal, has already secured occupation for over half of the space at its 117,000 sq ft speculative industrial development called R-evolution.

In two separate transactions Harworth has pre-sold Plot 1 (2.34 acres to accommodate a building of up to 40,000 sq ft) to Maher, a supplier of high-performance alloys, and Plot 2 (1.66 acres to accommodate a building of up to 25,000 sq. ft) to Nikken Kosakusho Europe, a supplier of precision engineering products.

Construction of the development is due to begin this week after Harworth last month completed a forward-purchase agreement for R-evolutions Plots 3 and 4 with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for £4.3m, with Harworth being responsible for the letting of those units in 2014.  It also secured a £2.7m loan from the Sheffield City Region Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) Fund.

The two sales leave just two units available to let at R-evolution and have prompted Harworth to bring forward plans for a second phase of development. Harworth now intends to submit a planning application by June 2014 for three further industrial units on five acres of the 68 acres that remain to be developed for employment use at Waverley, followed by a further 21 acres for "AMPlify" – a new phase of employment development to meet the strong demand for space at the development.

Plans were approved in 2012 for earthworks that will allow further development of around 21.5 hectares (53 acres) of land. 5.23 hectares (12.94 acres) of this could provide around 200,000 sq ft of high quality, modern, flexible industrial units.

Plots on the site benefit from Enterprise Zone status offering business rates relief and enhanced capital allowances. There are currently around 700 people employed at the AMP and Harworth believe that there is the potential for over 2,000 new jobs to be created through further development following Rolls-Royce's commitment to the site.

Campbell Carruth, director of Business Space at Harworth Estates, said: "The sale of the first two units at R-evolution to top-quality occupiers justifies our decision to build speculatively and proves the latent demand for high quality space in the region.

"Such is the scarcity of equivalent-quality stock in the Yorkshire & Humber region that we are accelerating our plans for a second phase of R-evolution, utilising the significant remaining land designated for employment here at Waverley."

Councillor Roger Stone, Leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (pictured, third left), added: "It is good to be here at the ground-breaking of the R-evolution @ the AMP development, and to see the expansion of the Nikken and Maher facilities.

"The Advanced Manufacturing Park is known globally for its cutting edge advanced manufacturing technology expertise, and has benefitted Rotherham through the creation of many high quality jobs and investment into the borough. R-evolution will help meet further demand from high quality manufacturing businesses, who want to expand and join the world-class companies already located at the AMP."

The UK's premier advanced manufacturing technology park, the AMP is part of the £100m Waverley development on the site of the former Orgreave colliery. The biggest brownfield site development in South Yorkshire covers 741 acres, an area bigger than Sheffield city centre.

Over a development phase of 20 years, the site will see the establishment of a new community of around 4,000 homes, shops, restaurants, schools, leisure facilities, health and community centres and parks.

Along with the adjoining commercial developments and the AMP, the developers hope that Waverley will create around 7,000 new jobs.

Harworth Estates website

Images: RMBC / Harworth Estates

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