A round-up of latest news in brief from around the county...
New JLR facility dedicated to developing electric car drive units
The new Future Energy Lab at Whitley – one of JLR’s engineering centres – features test rigs for electrical systems, including cold-weather chambers, and capacity for drive-unit production. JLR says the battery-electric Range Rover is among the new cars currently undergoing testing at the facility, ahead of its launch next year. Some 200 engineers are already employed at the Future Energy Lab, and JLR said it will create a further 150 roles going forward.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-manufacturing/jaguar-land-rover-opens-%C2%A3250-million-ev-development-hub?
University of Warwick secures collaborative Games and Innovation funding
Research England through its Connecting Capabilities Fund will establish the Games and Innovation Nexus (GAIN) project, which aims to explore the strengths and opportunities between two of the UK’s largest games clusters, Warwickshire’s Silicon Spa and Guildford in Surrey.
https://warwickinnovationdistrict.com/2023/10/24/university-of-warwick-secures-collaborative-games-and-innovation-funding/
Major new initiative launches to help align electric skills and industry standards to drive £12bn opportunity
A landmark initiative that aims to unlock the universal language of electrification was launched recently at the Museum of London to take a first look at The Power Electronics, Machines and Drives Body of Knowledge (PEMDBoK). This valuable new resource which has been developed through a collaboration of industry and academic experts led by Coventry University, is set to redefine industry standards and align understanding of the essential skills and capabilities required by the sector.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/recruitment-careers-hr/major-new-initiative-launches-in-coventry-to-help-align-electric-skills-and-industry-standards-to-drive-12bn-opportunity/
600 UK auto jobs at risk as Volta Trucks plans for bankruptcy
About 600 UK automotive jobs are at risk after electric lorry start-up Volta Trucks filed for bankruptcy, becoming the latest new electric vehicle entrant to falter. The private Swedish company built its first 20 prototypes in Coventry and employed staff in significant numbers in Nuneaton at MIRA and Gaydon at American Barns.
https://www.ft.com/content/97b2d3d6-cac4-4f72-a9cd-ba8aaaf4b249
Leamington company wins award for helping ex-Forces personnel into work
Risk Evolves has been recognised by the Armed Forces Covenant, a government scheme in which businesses sign up to a commitment to support veterans and help them gain employment in civilian life.
https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/people/leamington-cyber-security-specialists-awarded-for-helping-former-armed-forces-personnel-to-find-new-jobs-4365816
West Midlands Gigafactory in advanced talks with leading Asian battery manufacturers
The West Midlands Gigafactory joint venture has confirmed that it is in advanced discussions with several leading Asian battery manufacturers about future investment at the Coventry site.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/west-midlands-gigafactory-in-advanced-talks-with-leading-asian-battery-manufacturers/
Film and TV production firm Codex renews lease at Royal Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa's credentials as a digital production hotspot have been further burnished as TV, film and video production firm Codex has renewed its lease at Regent Square House in the centre of the town. Codex offers digital production workflow tools for independent films, Hollywood motion pictures, commercial and TV productions all around the world. It has now extended its original five-year lease at the building for a further six years.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/film-and-tv-production-firm-codex-renews-lease-at-royal-leamington-spa-building/
L&Q Estates green light for new commercial space in Bedworth
Warwick-based property developer L&Q Estates has been given the go-ahead to build 73 new homes and employment space on its Wilsons Lane development on the outskirts of Coventry. The scheme will comprise a mix of both market and affordable properties and up to 55,750 sq metres of employment space, together with the creation of a play area, footpaths, cycle routes and landscaping.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/lq-estates-greenlit-for-73-new-coventry-homes/
High Value Manufacturing Catapult appoints new chairman
The High Value Manufacturing Catapult – whose centres include the Manufacturing Technology Centre near Coventry and WMG at the University of Warwick – has appointed Steve Bagshaw CBE as its new chairman.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/high-value-manufacturing-catapult-appoints-new-chairman/
Trial proves potential to deliver crucial medical supplies by drone
A major trial has proved the potential to deliver crucial medical supplies to hospitals via drone – saving time, money and carbon emissions. Coventry-based Skyfarer Ltd, its partner Medical Logistics UK and drone manufacturer Phoenix Wings conducted the feasibility pilot with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust’s hospitals in Coventry and Rugby.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/trial-proves-potential-to-deliver-crucial-medical-supplies-by-drone/
Eco-friendly plane battery business continues to expand
Flux Aviation develops and manufactures ultra-high performance electric motors and batteries to build zero emission electric powertrains for aircraft, offering sustainable and cost effective power alternative to aircraft manufacturers.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/warwick-engineers-flying-high-as-their-eco-friendly-plane-battery-business-continues-to-expand/
Visteon Corporation Opens new Warwick Office
Automotive infotainment and connectivity company Visteon of the US has opened a new centre at Warwick Innovation Centre to locate closer to key clients in the area.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/visteon_we-are-excited-to-share-a-few-moments-from-activity-7121133407362826241-ZSBj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Rugby businesswoman becomes chair of Build UK
One of UK construction’s leading female voices has become the chair of a major organisation which represents and supports the industry.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/property/midlands-businesswoman-becomes-chair-of-build-uk/
Frasers Group lodges plans for global headquarters
Retail giant Frasers Group, the company behind Sports Direct and House of Fraser, has submitted its plans for a global headquarters campus in the West Midlands in a move forecast to create 7,500 jobs. Designed by architect Grimshaw – the firm behind the Eden Project, London's Excel Phase II, and the Lloyds Banking Group Headquarters - the campus would include logistics, offices, R&D retail, a hotel, and leisure facilities.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/frasers-group-lodges-plans-for-global-headquarters
Glimmer of Golden Triangle lures investors
Logistics Heartland Took a Record Share of Investment With Foreign Buyers Behind Over 70% of Volumes. Investment into warehouses in the so-called golden triangle hit £600 million in the third quarter of 2023 as international investors bet on the continuing strength of the UK’s logistics heartland. Last quarter’s figure, of which 72% came from overseas, was on a par with the previous two quarters combined and represented a record 27% share of total industrial sales volumes between July and September.
https://product.costar.com/home/news/697900991
Economic outlook improving - Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
The economic outlook in Coventry and Warwickshire has improved dramatically, according to a survey of businesses in the region. The latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce shows a jump in confidence in both the manufacturing and services sector, leading to a stronger outlook for the economy.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/economic-outlook-improving-coventry-and-warwickshire-chamber-of-commerce/