The latest news from across the industry that ‘got us talking’
Welcome to our fortnightly news round-up! Take a look at ‘what’s got us talking’, a collection of topical industry news from both our marine and industrial sectors.
Boris Johnson opens new JCB factory in India
New £100 million factory opened in Gujarat as JCB goes for growth in India and around the world.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has officially opened JCB’s newest factory in India as the company strengthens its global manufacturing presence.
With 11 factories in the UK employing more than 7,500 people, JCB first began manufacturing in India in 1979 and are now the country’s leading producer of construction equipment. Mr Johnson visited JCB’s latest factory in India – a £100 million investment plant in Gujarat which will fabricate parts for global production lines. The new factory is in Vadodara, near the port city of Surat on the west coast of India.
Joining the Prime Minister at the opening was JCB chairman Lord Bamford, who led JCB’s expansion in India in the late 1970s, including the opening of the first factory in Ballabgarh, near Delhi. Today JCB have six factories in India at locations including Jaipur and Pune. Lord Bamford said: ‘In its first year of full production, JCB India manufactured just 39 machines and by next year will have made a total of half a million. This country is now a major engineering power and being here has transformed our business. It has been a fabulous success, with so much more potential for growth.
Terex buys Irish steel fabricator Steelweld
Terex announced it has acquired Steelweld Fabrications Ltd., a manufacturer of heavy fabrications based in Northern Ireland.
The purchase of Steelweld supports Terex Materials Processing’s growth strategy by increasing fabrication capabilities in Northern Ireland, Terex said.
“We are excited to welcome Steelweld’s talented employees to the Terex team,” said John L. Garrison, Jr., Terex Corp. chairman and chief executive officer. “Over the past 40 years, the company has built a highly skilled work force and has a valued reputation for high levels of quality and service.”
Kieran Hegarty, Terex Materials Processing president added, “Steelweld’s expertise in heavy fabrications will provide additional knowledge and talent to support the growth of Terex Materials Processing.”
Irish seafood economy grows to €1.26BN record value
A report published by Ireland’s Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) says that the Irish seafood economy grew to a record value of €1.26bn in 2021, reports Paul Scott.
In its annual Business of Seafood Report, BIM says that despite the dual challenges of Brexit and Covid-19, the Irish seafood economy grew by 15% in 2021. It says that the industry recovered from the trading difficulties of 2020 to record a growth in GDP of 15.3% year on year. The agency says this figure is ‘the highest value seen since 2016’, with growth driven by ‘strong exports to the EU and Asia’ that increased the total value by 11%, to €674m.
The report also says that in 2021, foodservice purchases of seafood in Ireland increased by 12%, following a decline of 53% the previous year. Owing to what the report describes as a ‘partial recovery in the domestic hospitality sector’, domestic consumption grew by 3% to €418m. The report notes that ‘normal operating conditions should see strong growth and recovery in 2022’.
The seafood balance of trade – exports measured against imports – grew by 45%, driven by ‘strong export growth, particularly in EU markets’.
Despite the record value, the report warns of ‘challenges’ ahead. “Although we have seen significant growth last year, there are further challenges now being encountered with cost increases for fuel, energy, and materials as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
Artemis Technologies’ 100% Electric Foiling Workboat Takes to the Sea
Artemis Technologies, the global leader in green maritime innovation, has just released the first pictures of its 100% electric, high-speed foiling workboat prototype on Belfast Lough.
The vessel was designed and built to include the production specification drivetrain, battery and flight control components consumers will eventually see in the finished workboat. With big goals set for 2022, this announcement brings Artemis Technologies one step closer to providing high-speed zero-emission maritime transport to the masses.
The 11.5 metre vessel named “Pioneer of Belfast” is powered by the revolutionary Artemis eFoiler® system, which enables the prototype to fly over the water, using significantly less energy than a conventional workboat with high-speed re-charging technology also developed.
Launched from the company’s research and manufacturing facility in Belfast Harbour, the prototype is currently undergoing sea trials to verify its technical capabilities match those from the company’s digital twin simulations, ahead of the launch of Artemis Technologies’ small workboat range next month.