A round up of latest local news-in-brief...
Local Universities in consortium awarded £5.5m grant to accelerate EV Technologies
Coventry University and WMG at the University of Warwick to play key role in a consortium led by Protean Electric a world-leading developer of in-wheel motors (IWM), with £5.5 million Collaborative Research and Development grant from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).
Unipart in Coventry will establish a flexible power electronics manufacturing capability at its Beresford Avenue manufacturing site in Coventry.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/corporate-finance/protean-electric-led-consortium-awarded-5-5-million-grant-to-accelerate-iwm-development/
MTC in Ansty inks landmark agreement with Holtec for SMR development
The UK's potential nuclear energy capabilities advanced on Monday as a division of American supply giant Holtec inked a cooperation pact with leading engineers and scientists at Coventry's UK's Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/coventrys-mtc-inks-landmark-agreement-with-holtec-for-smr-development/
University of Warwick Leads Midlands Universities in Spin-out Activity
A report published recently by Parkwalk, a UK investor active in university spinouts, and analytics firm, Beauhurst, reveals that University of Warwick was the most active Midlands university by deal volume and value, placed 17th and 11th respectively, in spin-out activity, for the first 6 months of 2024..
https://parkwalkadvisors.com/2024/09/parkwalk-2024-beauhurst-report-on-university-spinouts/
Leamington lives up to ‘Silicon Spa’ title as Lighthouse Games takes new HQ
A growing games company has taken 20,000 sq ft of office space in the heart of Leamington as it looks to expand its team. Lighthouse Games secured the space at Imperial Court after the company recently received major investment from industry giants Tencent.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hewland-engineering_on-tuesday-we-celebrated-the-opening-of-our-activity-7217488570150776832-Gux-?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
Prodrive and Astheimer debut last mile vehicle demonstrator at Cenex Expo 2024
EVOLV, an all-new compact and highly efficient ‘last mile’ electric quadricycle demonstrator with a cubic load capacity rivalling mid-size vans, was revealed this month at CENEX 2024 and Micromobility UK at University of Warwick. Banbury-based Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design in Warwick have drawn on their collective design, engineering and prototype/low volume manufacturing expertise to produce EVOLV, the first working demonstrator.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/prodrive-and-astheimer-debut-last-mile-vehicle-demonstrator-at-cenex-expo-2024/
ICEBreaker Hydrogen HGV offers new engineering approach to zero-emissions technologies
Project ICEBreaker, delivered by a consortium of leading British engineering companies, has unveiled a fully-configured hydrogen fuel cell HGV truck. The project has brought together the hydrogen engineering expertise of MIRA Technology Park-based Viritech, HORIBA MIRA and Intelligent Energy, with funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK’s Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator competition.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/icebreaker-hydrogen-hgv-offers-new-engineering-approach-to-zero-emissions-technologies/
Coventry's NP Aerospace wins £71m UK MoD wheeled vehicle support contract
Coventry's NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has been awarded a £71 million wheeled vehicle support contract with the UK MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), creating and sustain jobs at NP Aerospace’s Coventry facility, where the business employs around 200 people.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/coventrys-np-aerospace-wins-71-million-uk-mod-wheeled-vehicle-support-contract/
Leamington Spa's Ox Delivers catches eye of MIT
OX Delivers, the Leamington Spa based e-mobility start-up which is aiming to revolutionise the transport of produce across the Global South, has been selected as a 2024 Solver team by the renowned MIT Solve. Solve was born out of the Office of the President of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in 2015.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/technology-innovation/leamington-spas-ox-delivers-catches-eye-of-mit/
The 675kg Mika Meon is British engineering from Warwickshire at its best
Britain has a new lightweight sports car, the Mika Meon, designed and made in Southam.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mika/meon
Electrification community set for £800,000 ‘single source of truth’ boost
What is seen as a "vitally important" £800,000 initiative - designed to provide a ‘single source of truth’ for electrification skills and capabilities - is nearing its first big milestone. The Electrification Skills Network (ESN), which is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by Coventry University, is weeks away from launching the UK’s first-ever Framework for a sector that has the potential to create more than 100,000 jobs by 2025.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/recruitment-careers-hr/electrification-community-set-for-800000-single-source-of-truth-boost/
Marketing studio doubles headcount
Just six months from launch, Leamington marketing studio The Alternative, has welcomed three new faces to its team: doubling its headcount. Fulfilling the roles of Digital Lead, Creative Lead, and Project Lead, the latest additions will bring more than two decades of combined experience to the fledgling studio and will oversee client strategy, creative and delivery.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/recruitment-careers-hr/leamington-marketing-company-doubles-headcount/
Warwickshire hotel with historic links to local aerospace ceases trading
Brownsover Hall Hotel, based north of Rugby in Warwickshire, has ceased trading. A purchaser for the property has been found and it is intended to close the business for a period of time in order to complete refurbishments. In the early 20th century, the Brownsover estate was bought by Sir Frank Whittle, credited with the invention of the jet engine.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/midlands/former-conference-and-training-facility-built-in-the-17th-century-brought-to-market
Coventry’s tourism industry soars to record value of £855m
For the third consecutive year, Coventry’s tourism industry has grown to value a record £855m in 2023. It’s a £100m increase on 2022 and a £261m increase on pre-pandemic figures after 11.39 million people visited the city last year. The city continues to grow at a faster rate than the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area in the percentage of growth for visitor numbers, economic impact and total employment.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090309-coventry%e2%80%99s-tourism-industry-soars-to-record-value-of-855m
Alcester company making energy from discarded plastic on track for funding target
A Warwickshire business which has developed a hybrid heat pump system that turns items such as plastics, nappies and uneaten food into energy directly on-site to provide hot water, is on course for its Crowdcube fundraising target of £1.8 million. Last month, the company delivered the first commercial HERU125 to Severn Trent Water.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/corporate-finance/west-midlands-company-making-energy-from-discarded-plastic-on-track-for-funding-target/
HS2 completes first viaduct structures in North Warwickshire
HS2 engineers have completed the final phase of moving two railway viaducts into place over the M42/M6 link roads in North Warwickshire, marking the first viaduct structures to be installed at Delta Junction. The operation to position the 158-meter-long ‘West Link Viaduct’ took 11 hours, covering both westbound and eastbound motorway link roads.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090030-hs2-completes-first-viaduct-structures-in-north-warwickshire
Hybrid workplace provider launches new office
International Workplace Group, a hybrid working solutions provider, has launched a flexible workspace in Leamington Spa. The three-story building is located at Nicholls House in Tachbrook Park and will cater to both established businesses and startups in various sectors, including the retail and digital industries. Known as “Silicon Spa,” Leamington Spa will benefit from International Workplace Group’s design your own office service, allowing companies to customise their workspace.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2089685-hybrid-workplace-provider-launches-office-in-leamington-spa
Topping out milestone reached at £16million Technology Park expansion
Topping out stage reached of £16million contract delivering new expansion at MIRA Technology Park, the large automotive research and development campus on the edge of Nuneaton.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090009-topping-out-milestone-reached-at-technology-park-expansion
Detailed plans unveiled for Warwickshire business park in North Warwickshire
Plans have been unveiled for a new employment park in North Warwickshire aimed at supporting sectors such as R&D, manufacturing and logistics. The development, Thrive in Curdworth, led by Midland-based IM Properties, aims to create jobs in areas like automotive, aerospace, rail, low carbon, and digital technologies. Thrive will feature zones for tech startups, manufacturers and logistics companies, all set within a landscaped park.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090033-plans-unveiled-for-warwickshire-employment-park
Warwickshire retail park acquired in £58m deal
Leamington Spa Retail Park has been acquired by CBRE Investment Management in a £57.55m deal. Retail parks are becoming an increasingly attractive asset delivering strong footfall compared to areas like high streets.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090235-warwickshire-retail-park-acquired-in-58m-deal
Wickes sign lease for 38,000sq ft unit at Spa Park
Commercial property developer, Stoford has leased a new 38,650sq ft property to home improvement retailer Wicks on a 15 year deal. It is one of Stoford’s nine new net zero properties.
https://www.commercialnewsmedia.com/archives/132644
Richardson Barberry delivers major off market logistics acquisition in Rugby
Joint venture developer and investor Richardson Barberry has acquired the national returns centre of one of the UK’s largest parcel delivery companies. Richardson Barberry has agreed a multi-million-pound deal with Cheltenham-based investment and asset management company Formal Investments for the 113,000 sq ft distribution unit on a seven-acre site at Swift Park, Cosford Lane, Rugby.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/richardson-barberry-delivers-major-off-market-logistics-acquisition/
Warwickshire firms can tap into £500k manufacturing support
Small to medium-sized manufacturers in Warwickshire are being urged to take advantage of a dedicated £500,000 business support initiative that will help them boost sales, create jobs and improve productivity. The Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme, which is delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, has already supported more than 80 local companies to unlock barriers to growth through coaching, consultancy, free workshops and signposting to other schemes.
https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/manufacturing-engineering/warwickshire-firms-can-tap-into-500kmanufacturing-support/
Midlands universities secure top spots in prestigious guide
Two Midlands Universities have retained their spots in the top ten of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, University of Warwick and Loughborough University. Out of 134 universities, Warwick University was ranked in ninth place, continuing its record of featuring in the top 10 every single year since the Guide was first published in 1992.
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2090512-midlands-universities-secure-top-spots-in-prestigious-guide