Today’s manufacturing landscape is witnessing transformational change, with the launch of a new £4.7m project aimed at making 5G Open RAN technology more accessible to manufacturers. You will also see significant job creation announcements and business milestones in the sector. This digest brings together the essential latest information industry professionals need to stay ahead.
5G open RAN project: A game changer for manufacturers
An industry consortium has launched the Factory of the Future Open RAN (FoFoRAN) project, a £4.7m venture to democratize 5G open RAN technology for manufacturing. This initiative aims to break down barriers for manufacturers of all sizes and enable them to take advantage of open radio access networks. FoFoRAN aims to foster innovation, reduce costs, and increase operational flexibility across the manufacturing industry by facilitating the use of non-proprietary components from a variety of vendors.
sharp increase in employment At Babcock’s Rosyth facility
In a major boost to the UK’s manufacturing and shipbuilding industries, Babcock has announced the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs at its Rosyth facility. The move is aimed at supporting the delivery of the company’s flagship programs and skills development initiatives. The recruitment drive will take place over the next four years, combining 400 apprenticeships and a variety of roles for production support personnel, skilled technicians, craftsmen and graduates, specifically to support the Type 31 frigate design and construction programme. , aims to enrich local economies and communities.
McAvoy expansion and STL milestones
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland modular construction group McAvoy is forecasting a strong growth trajectory as it plans to expand its Smart Space temporary building fleet, driven by demand across a range of sectors. In parallel, Samuel Taylor Limited (STL) is celebrating 125 years of precision engineering excellence by pioneering new manufacturing methods for battery busbars essential to next-generation battery technology and highlighting its heritage of innovation.
Additionally, the Sheffield Forgemasters apprenticeship drive and the UK van market’s best February performance since 1998 highlight the solid health and growth prospects of the sector. London-based small business Get It Made further exemplifies this positive trend, earning a spot on his FT1000 list of Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies 2024.
Collectively, these stories illustrate the dynamic and evolving nature of manufacturing, driven by technological advances, significant investment in human capital, and a continued drive for innovation. As the sector moves forward, embracing these changes will be key to unlocking new dimensions of growth and remaining competitive on a global scale.