A jig of joy as KM Tools helps get rail network ready for high speed trains
LATERAL flow testing, grant funding and mental health support are among the issues local businesses are seeking support for ahead of the next easing of lockdown restrictions on May 17.
The Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has received feedback from more than 5,000 businesses from the region on where they need support the most as they prepare to reopen their premises, welcome staff and customers back on site and create a safe working environment.
Now the organisation has developed a package of support for businesses which are seeking advice on issues such as lateral flow testing for employees, what grant or loan funding they are eligible for or how to support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.
This focused support has been developed in partnership with the Growth Hub, Chambers of Commerce, local councils and mental health organisations.
LEP chair Alun Rogers said: “This targeted support is about providing timely, straight-forward and relevant advice, from business for business, to prepare for the critical weeks and months ahead as the Covid-19 restrictions are gradually lifted.
“We want businesses to have the confidence to open safely, so the LEP is here to help navigate the challenges the pandemic has presented and find opportunities for businesses to capitalise on new opportunities, adapt to this new agile digital world we are working in, and ultimately thrive.
“The key to reopening and going on to grow a strong business is to do it safely, and our ambition through delivering this support is to provide all the information needed to do that.”
Hannah Ault, director of Valentine Clays and LEP Board member, added: “As a business owner, I have seen firsthand the challenges the pandemic has wrought on the business community. From navigating furlough, to getting lateral flow testing embedded into working practice, there have been many hurdles to overcome.
“The next few weeks and months will undoubtably present further challenges, but there is help available and that is why the LEP has been focusing its support to help simplify the landscape, and be by the side of business every step of the way.”
The LEP is currently running a business survey for companies across Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire to have their say on what support they would find most helpful.
The organisation will then use this information to tailor its programme of support over the coming months to ensure it meets the needs of business post-pandemic.
To take part in the survey, visit bit. ly/supportingbusinessstaffs or for support, call the LEP’S Growth Hub via the business helpline on 0300 111 8002 .
BESPOKE machinery manufacturer KM Tools is playing a major part in helping Hitachi Rail get high speed trains ready for the UK’S rail network.
The Cheadle-based company, which is part of the Klarius Group, won a contract to design, manufacture, install and maintain smart jigs at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe production facility.
The recently installed jigs are supporting Hitachi Rail in the fabrication and welding of highspeed trains destined for the UK rail network.
Neil Harrison, sales manager at KM Tools, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this contract from a market-leading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) such as Hitachi Rail.
“Our turnkey engineering service for specialised production machinery proved an ideal fit for this high-profile contract. Experience of working closely with other OEMS in the automotive and rail sectors also ensured we had the right engineering expertise and capacity to support large, modern production lines like Hitachi’s in Newton Aycliffe.”
Hitachi Rail’s advanced facility at Newton Aycliffe is the result of a £110 million investment by the company.
The jigs provided by KM Tools allow the main subassemblies of the trains to be held in position for welding and finishing. Each jig has been manufactured entirely in-house by KM Tools to Hitachi Rail specifications. The company is also providing responsive onsite technical and maintenance support to Hitachi manufacturing teams.
Mark Snowdon, quality engineer at Hitachi Rail, said: “KM Tools has been absolutely fantastic from the beginning. The company has been completely professional all the way through, and its engineering capabilities are second to none.
“We look forward to working with KM Tools again and are already planning future ventures with them.”