News: Bramall shortlisted for two sustainability awards

Rotherham social housing contractor Bramall Construction has been shortlisted for two prestigious sustainability awards – recognising its commitment to environmental best practice.

Bramall, which has offices across the country, has been named as a finalist in the Sustainable Social Housing Contractor of the Year category of The Sustainable Housing Awards 2010, organised by Inside Housing magazine and its sister publication Sustainable Housing.

The awards scheme focuses on the best "green" social housing projects constructed in the UK, and the organisations responsible for them.

Ted Stevens, Inside Housing's events director, and the organiser of the awards said: "We've had a terrific response, with hundreds of entries and Bramall Construction has done brilliantly to get shortlisted from such a huge field.

"Britain is leading the way on sustainable housing and innovative building techniques so we're delighted we're able to organise a ceremony to reward organisations that are delivering best practice."

South Yorkshire Housing Association's Munsdale development in Rotherham is shortlisted in the sustainable larger social housing project of the year category at the same event.

Bramall has also been shortlisted in the Housebuilder Awards, now in their sixth year, in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category. The awards celebrate the very best of the industry and recognise the achievements of those leading the way in innovation.

The winners of both awards will be announced in October at ceremonies in London.

Mark Whitley, Pre-Construction Manager at Bramall Construction, said: "We are extremely proud to be shortlisted for this prestigious duo of awards.

"Sustainability is at the core of our company's agenda and we are leading the way in utilising state-of-the-art eco technology to deliver high level Code for Sustainable Homes developments across the UK."

Bramall Construction website

Images: bramall.com

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News: Take the Skeleton Challenge with Materialise UK

Visitors to the Materialise UK Ltd stand at TCT Live 2010 show later this month will be able to experience the thrills of extreme winter sport with Bromley Technologies Skeleton Challenge.

The Challenge uses a unique skeleton simulator, combining head mounted 3D technology with a composite sled, manufactured by Materialise, and incorporating sophisticated balance and movement systems. Riders can test their skills on simulations of some of the world's most challenging skeleton bobsleigh tracks, where competing athletes can travel at speeds of up to 90mph, and experience 5Gs in some bends.

Following strict guidelines the simulator sled pan, supported by Yorkshire Forward's Rapid Additive Manufacturing Programme, was built using additive layered manufacturing technology.

As the simulator is used in the public domain, particularly within schools, the pan needed to withstand up to 100Kg weight load. Following technical discussions with Materialise, Bromley chose to opt for the FDM solution, using a sparse build to keep the weight to a minimum whilst maintaining the mechanical strength. The pan was painted to a high gloss standard to emulate the real pan.

Following the success of the pan, Materialise in collaboration with Bromley Technologies; and other companies at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham, produced an enhanced aerodynamic technology package in record time for two of Team GB's top skeleton bobsleigh athletes ahead of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games.

As aerodynamics are relatively easy for competitor teams to copy, the ultimate aerodynamic design was finalised after the last race of the World Cup season leaving a very short turn around time to test the proposed package, analyse the results and make the decision to go ahead with the new designs or not.

The pan was designed, manufactured and delivered within 48 hours by Materialise in the UK and Belgium and the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing
Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC) used their stat-of-the-art five-axis machine to produce moulds in a matter of days.

Philip Hudson, Managing Director of Materialise UK said: "The fact that additive manufacturing technologies like FDM & stereolithography are being used more frequently in these types of applications is proof that the techniques and materials have improved in such a way that they can be used in production environments.

"The use of additive manufacturing processes does not only offer obvious cost and lead-time advantages, but also provides increased design freedom and the possibility to customise products. By producing only what you need, additive manufacturing offer a clear advantage over traditional subtractive technologies."

Taking place annually, TCT successfully draws together everyone involved in the concept, design, manufacturing and specification functions. TCT Live 2010 takes place on October 19 - 20 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

Materialise website
Bromley Technologies

Images: materialise.com

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News: F1 Showcars recognised at the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010

Adam Tinsley has been named as a runner up in the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2010.

Eastwood-based F1 Showcars sprang from a purchase Adam made on Ebay. The 23-year-old F1 car enthusiast spotted a former Arrows F1 simulator online, bought it, re-built it and now he takes it around the country to events including the Silverstone Grand Prix.

As well as the full sized Formula One simulator cars, the company supplies display cars for hire at events, and Adam, who is also a race marshall for Silverstone, travels across the UK assisting at various circuits.

The cars have featured at race events and corporate events and the simulator was a star attraction at the Rotherham Show earlier in the year.

Adam, a former pupil at Maltby Comprehensive School said: "I love technical things and love playing around with cars and engines so this was a dream come true. I'm really chuffed to receive this award."

F1 Showcars website
Rotherham Investment and Development Office

Images: RiDO / f1showcars.co.uk

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News: Inside industry at PMS Diecasting

PMS Diecasting is offering an opportunity to see inside their Rotherham factory as part of the Manufacturing Advisory Service Yorkshire & Humber (MAS) Inside Industry programme.

The latest in a series of factory visits enables manufacturers to benchmark their performance and learn best practice tools and techniques from some of the most successful businesses in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

On October 20, Yorkshire manufacturers can find out how PMS Diecasting, the UK's most technologically advanced zinc diecaster – has invested in robotic technology alongside its Lean programme to give the company a great advantage over its competitors.

The company has successfully broken away from traditional methods of diecasting and built up a modern, forward looking business capable of fulfilling complex bespoke orders in vast quantities.

Founded in 1975, PMS developed a precision manufacturing process to produce handsaws that proved so successful that every DIY retail outlet and most handtool distributors sold an "own brand" saw which was made and branded by PMS in Rotherham. In just five years PMS became the largest volume manufacturer of handaws in the UK.

Founder Gordon Panter, and colleague, Robin Mokryj, acquired the company in 2000 and started an intensive investment programme to move into specialist diecasting work.

The employee-owned business, which has 30 staff and has pioneered environmentally-friendly manufacturing techniques, expects turnover to rise by £500,000 to £3.5m. Customers include Yale, Chubb, Britax and Gripple.

Tours are led by staff at the company, and there are plenty of opportunities for questions and networking. Places are charged at just £50 per person, which includes buffet lunch.

PMS Diecasting website
MAS-YH website

Images: pmsdiecasting.co.uk

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News: Junction launch in Rotherham

50 local employers attended the launch of a business support programme in Rotherham last month.

The Junction has been established with the sole aim of helping Rotherham employers maximise the full potential of their business.

The programme is supported financially by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund. This significant investment means The Junction are able to provide a no cost solution for the employers of Rotherham.

The Junction offers a "one stop" business support to local companies and support is dictated by the needs of each business. This can range from workforce development, training, funding sources through to the recruitment and retention of staff.

Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron who cut the ribbon at the Junction's new premises said: "This is a great initiative, to bring on board, especially as the economic downturn has resulted in high levels of business administration and unemployment within Rotherham."

The Junction is now managed by BEST Ltd, one of the country's leading providers of innovative, government sponsored training programmes.

Since the start of the programme, the Junction have worked with over 150 employers from across all sectors to help safeguard five jobs and fill 20 vacancies.

One Rotherham company to benefit from the Junction service is M.B Products Ltd. Roger Godfrey, their managing director, said: "Recruitment is time consuming, especially for a small business as time is money.

"The services The Junction provide are high quality and government funded, with no cost to the employer and made life much easier. From advertising, to preliminary interviews, they provide a package of support, leaving us to simply choose from the cream of the candidates.

"We have two employees that have settled really well, not only in their job roles, but into the culture of the company."

The Junction website

Images: best-train.com

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