News-in-brief from around the region...
Jaguar Land Rover announces new CEO
Jaguar Land Rover has named Thierry Bolloré as its new chief executive, betting that the former Renault boss can steer Britain’s biggest carmaker through a pandemic that has ravaged the industry. Mr Bolloré, who will join in September, replaces Ralf Speth, who had led the group for more than a decade and will remain with it as non-executive chairman. Across the road, Aston Martin Lagonda’s new CEO Tobias Moers joins the business on August 1st. https://www.ft.com/content/c940344e-5497-4e31-bbf1-fd876f69af57
Lotus Lands at Wellesbourne
Sports car manufacturer Lotus is to set up an advanced technology centre at the University of Warwick’s Wellesbourne campus, which will also be a new headquarters for the company’s engineering consultancy. The new facility, comprising offices, workshops and laboratory space with room for expansion, is being established in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick. Initially, 130 engineers will move in, complementing the 500-strong engineering team at the home of Lotus Cars in Hethel, Norfolk. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2042651-lotus-drives-ahead-with-new-advanced-technology-centre-at-university-of-warwick?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WestMidlands_23rd_Jul_2020_Daily
LEVC extends range with launch of new EV Light Van
London Electric EV Company announces full details of their new hybrid van designed and manufactured at Ansty Technology Park. The LEVC VN5 hybrid van is available to order now, with first deliveries due before the end of the year. The alphanumeric name stands for the word ‘Van’ and the model's cargo space of five cubic metres; the VN5 is based on the LEVC TX electric London taxi. https://www.drivingelectric.com/levc/1126/levc-vn5-range-extender-hybrid-van-pictures-specs-and-details
Aurrigo wins Innovation Award at 2020 Autocar Awards
British autonomous transport innovator is recognised for its class-leading technology. The Coventry-based driverless vehicle specialist has beaten off some of the world’s largest car brands and manufacturers to secure Autocar’s Innovation Award. The Autocar Awards celebrate the most impressive motoring achievements of the past 12 months and the people responsible for driving the industry forward. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/aurrigo-wins-innovation-award-2020-autocar-awards
US industrial firm picks Warwickshire for first European operations
US manufacturer of power transmission products and material handling systems Martin Sprocket & Gear has opened its first European operations at Spa Park. The company is the first new name on the site, taking a 40,000sqft unit on the former AP Components site owned by US investor Blackrock. Martin & Sprocket aims to create ten jobs by 2022. https://www.shdlogistics.com/property/martin-sprocket%C2%A0-gear-opens-first-european%C2%A0operations
Region’s major automotive companies to share in £73.5m boost to R&D
A host of the region’s automotive firms are set to benefit from a £73.5m government investment to develop green technologies and safeguard jobs. The chosen projects will receive a share of the cash to develop technology for the next generation of electric taxis, cars and vans – including recyclable batteries, advanced electrical systems and ultra-lightweight components. The companies involved include Ford Technologies in Warwick, Coventry-based Jaguar Land Rover and the London Electric Vehicle Company, the manufacturer of electric taxis. also based in Coventry, and Warwick-based BMW Motorsport. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2041680-region%e2%80%99s-major-automotive-companies-to-share-in-73.5m-boost
Britishvolt targets Wales for UK’s first battery gigaplant
Coventry based Britishvolt hopes to build the UK’s first battery gigaplant looks set to be built on the site of a former RAF base at Bro Tathan in Wales. https://www.theengineer.co.uk/gigaplant-wales-britishvolt/
Innovative Warwick Music Group makes brass from plastic
Warwick Music Group, which developed the world’s first plastic brass instruments, has become the first UK music instrument manufacturer to be certified as carbon neutral. It has received the designation for its full range of brass instruments – produced in colourful recyclable ABS plastic – from sustainability assessor and independent validator Carbon Footprint. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2042804-creator-of-the-world%e2%80%99s-best-selling-range-of-brass-instruments-in-plastic-scores-uk-first
Local Engineers Recognised in Annual WE50 Awards
Three local engineers have been named in this year’s Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) awards, announced by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) on National Women in Engineering Day. https://www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk/national-women-in-engineering-day-warwick-abingdon-engineers-named/
Wincanton announces new eFulfilment facility in Nuneaton and five-year contract with Loaf
Wincanton is investing in a dedicated new eCommerce facility in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The site will be open this month. The first customers in this new site will be existing Wincanton partners, home furnishings brand Loaf and health and beauty company Neal’s Yard Remedies. https://www.wincanton.co.uk/news/press-releases/wincanton-announces-new-efulfilment-facility-in-nuneaton-and-five-year-contract-with-loaf/
Events coming to NAEC at Stoneleigh Park
Stoneleigh Park’s NAEC (National Agricultural Exhibition Centre) welcomes new events to the centre. Post lockdown, it is hosting Drive and Dine events with comedy, film, theatre and good food, where guests watch from their cars. It has also announced the Vehicle Electrification Conference in December and most recently announced the UK launch of the Low Carbon Agricultural Show in March 2021. https://www.ruralhub.org.uk/news/low-carbon-agriculture-show-comes-to-stoneleigh-in-march-2021/
Exhibition company develops socially-distanced classroom
Many Warwickshire companies have innovated to create new PPE and social distancing products during the pandemic. Exhibition company Sovereign Exhibitions of Arley has created a classroom designed to help schools across the UK manage a safe return to education after the summer holidays. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2042214-exhibition-company-creates-social-distancing-classroom-system
Making waves in Warwickshire
Plans to build the UK’s most landlocked surf park near Birmingham have taken a major step forward after planning bosses voted unanimously in favour of the £25m project. Emerge Surf Birmingham, to be based on a 15-acre site seven miles to the east of Birmingham’s city centre at Coleshill. was originally unveiled in 2019 and has now received the backing of North Warwickshire Borough Council’s planning and development board. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2042766-surf%e2%80%99s-up-in-birmingham-as-green-light-given-for-25m-wave-park
Coventry City announce new stadium partnership with University of Warwick
Coventry City Football Club has announced a deal that will see the University of Warwick provide land for the construction of a new stadium, on the Coventry/ Warwickshire border. The Sky Blues spent the 2019-20 season in Birmingham, playing their home matches at St Andrew’s after failing to strike a deal with Ricoh Arena owners Wasps Group. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2042604-coventry-city-announce-new-stadium-partnership-with-university-of-warwick
Council to issue first free parking permits for electric vehicles
Electric vehicle owners living or working in Warwick District are being invited to apply for a permit which will allow them to park for free, all day every day in Warwick District Council car parks. To receive their free pass registered owners of fully electric cars or vans need to supply the council with their name, address, vehicle registration, make and model. The annual permits will be valid from 1 August 2020. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2042290-council-to-issue-first-free-parking-permits-for-electric-vehicles
Free coding bootcamp to help people affected by Covid-19 to transition to new careers in tech
Local people seeking a new career in technology are being invited to join a free Covid-19 response bootcamp to take them from scratch to professional developers. Launching in September 2020, the School of Code bootcamp, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is full-time, intensive, and free to all West Midlands residents. https://www.cwlep.com/news/free-coding-bootcamp-help-people-affected-covid-19-transition-new-careers-tech
Recruitment drive launches to get the West Midlands back into work
Hundreds of work coaches are being recruited to boost employment in the West Midlands as part of a new package of support focused on training and reskilling jobseekers, and getting the region back to work. West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Department for Work and Pensions are joining forces to provide targeted support to match jobseekers with vacancies, ensuring they have the skills to meet local demand as businesses reopen. Vacancies for 300 work coaches are due to go live over the coming days – with local people encouraged to apply for roles. https://www.cwlep.com/news/recruitment-drive-launches-get-west-midlands-back-work