Manx Precision Optics expanding business in Europe Castle Rushen s Flying Toaster In September the Strix Ronaldsway factory was visited by around 70 local primary school children. They wanted to find out about Inventions and Inventors for a school project. Colin Moughton proved to be a popular host as he took the children through various experiments and talked to them about how Strix works. They were treated to turbo toast and cake before leaving. One of the children s suggestions for a future invention was. a flying toaster. Manx Precision Optics Ltd. (MPO) has been selected to participate in a UK industry mission to CERN in Switzerland, organised by UKTI (UK Trade & Investment) and the STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council). The visit will take place on the 22nd of February. Dr Kessler MD commented: It is a great opportunity for MPO to have been selected to participate in the UK trade mission to CERN. CERN is well known for its world class research. I look forward to the trip and enhancing our European business. The trip to Switzerland will be followed by a trade show in Wetzlar, Germany, one of the two centres of the German optics industry and world famous for being the home of the Leica camera. The W3+ trade show, now in its third year, combines (mostly German) exhibitors from optics manufacture, electronics and precision engineering. The Chamber of Commerce is the Island s largest business organisation, representing nearly 300 local companies across all sectors, with committees representing Construction, Employment & Skills, Finance, ICT & ebusiness, Manufacturing & Technical, Retail, Visitor Economy and Transport. 1 Athol House 21 23 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB Telephone +44(0) 1624 674941
ROYAL AERONAUTICAL SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY STAMPS CAPTURE ISLE OF MAN CUTTING-EDGE AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY Ross Moore and Chris Allen, General Manager of Triumph Actuation Systems Isle of Man Post Office and Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) have produced a set of stamps depicting the remarkable history of aerospace innovation and exploration over the last 150 years. The Isle of Man has been central to a number of these achievements from the design and manufacturing of precision components to involvement on the International Space Station (ISS) The stamps depict The Hawker PII27 aircraft a prelude to the Harrier Jump Jet which made its first flight in 1960 with components produced by RAC and Dowtys, British Airways Concorde which undertook the first supersonic airline passenger flight in 1976 with manufacturing involvement from Manx Engineers, RAC, Dowty Aerospace and Asystem. Also pictured is the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofan engine - one of the company's most successful jet engines which RAC and Swagelok were involved in from the very early stages of its creation. Finally pictured is the International Space Station the biggest structure ever placed in orbit around the earth with which there are now many Manx connections. David Hester, General Manager of Swagelok Ltd said: We are very proud of the high standard of engineering and manufacturing on the Isle of Man. We are investing in our local businesses and we already employ around 7% of the working population in this business sector. Our products are world class and used in many extreme, mission critical applications around the world. We are also happy to support the increasing number of young people who are choosing engineering as a career on the island. Apprentices Daniel Catlow and Michelle Taylor with David Hester, General Manager of Swagelok 2 Athol House 21 23 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB Telephone +44(0) 1624 674941
. MTI Newsletter The Chamber in action. During 2015 the Chamber has been strategically involved with the following projects and consultations :- Villa Marina Careers event. The annual careers event was held on 12th November at the Villa Marina. Adrian Harrison, Engineering & Manufacturing Sector Skills Champion commented It was great to be part of a very visual and dynamic event with lots of enthusiastic, professional and welcoming people. Many different Isle of Man companies attended. The annual event certainly helps students to make career decisions, and also shows parents, the general public and politicians the breadth and quality of the Island s manufacturing sector. The Isle of Man Draft Strategic Plan Douglas Promenade refurbishment proposals Enterprise Island project Government as a single legal entity Enterprise Development Fund Crowdfunding Alternative Banking regime TT World Series Government s Digital Strategy Work permit rules and testing of the online system Minimum wage Employment Tribunal Fees Lobbied on the IOM being outside of the UK cellphone contract bundles Continued to support the ICT University and look forward to when the first students come through the doors Supported Castle Rushen s ICT Academy Hazardous Waste Transfer Station has been commissioned All Foundation Apprentices in Engineering graduating this year have been successful in finding work within the sector with record enrolment on the course Utilities Forum expanded to cover nonmanufacturing businesses Manufacturing committee delivered two technology days at the AMTC showcasing new technologies to the sector companies The Awareness of Careers in Engineering project continues to raise the profile of this important sector within our schools Ferry Services Regeneration of Douglas Car parking Stealth taxes Proposals for first time buyers and shared equity 3 Athol House 21 23 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB Telephone +44(0) 1624 674941
Charity starts at home Chamber is launching a new membership category for charities. The Third Sector contributes significantly to the Island s economy and quality of life. Charities increasingly face many of the same challenges as the private sector, for instance, employment law and data protection compliance. These are areas in which Chamber s collective experience and expertise can make a real difference and are often a difficult area for charities with their very limited resources. If you have a close association with a charity please let them know. If any member company wishes to sponsor a charity by making a donation for them to join Chamber, please get in contact. The annual membership fee for a registered charity is 50. Cyber security workshops High profile breaches in cyber security have been hitting media headlines at an alarming rate. This year is being seen by many as a watershed year in the evolution of cyber security as a core business competence. During 2016 Chamber will be holding a series of workshops and events at varying levels of expertise on cyber security. In a well-attended first workshop, Chris Gledhill, MD looked at the responsibilities of the Board/business owner/manager in relation to the security of the information their business holds. The feedback from attendees was that this workshop was certainly a wakeup call and they were going to address a number of issues within their respective companies. Swagelok s got talent. Island engineering students shine in leading UK competition Three engineering students represented the Isle of Man College of Further & Higher Education at the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) University Challenge competition in Preston in January. The competition tested a wide range of skills through challenges ranging from negotiation through to engineering aptitude through the construction of a tower using only spaghetti and tape! The Isle of Man team consisted of Daniel Catlow, Ashley Howard & Chris Killey, all of whom work for Swagelok. This was the first year that a team from the Isle of Man had gained entry to the competition and they performed really well against teams from some of the biggest UK companies such as BAe systems and Rolls Royce. As part of the ongoing connection with the NWAA (Northwest Aerospace Alliance) On Friday 22 nd January, at St John s Mill, Tynwald Mills the IOM Aerospace Cluster companies (all are Chamber members) had presentations from James Ritchie, BAE Systems PLC and Steve Jones, Head of UK Aerospace, Siemens PLC The topic was Aerospace Market Sector Demands on Manufacturing and delivering Market Needs. It gave a valuable insight into the changing customer needs and how IOM companies can compete with our competition in the UK. 4 Athol House 21 23 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB Telephone +44(0) 1624 674941
Swagelok s got talent cont d. Ashley received a commendation at the NWAA event for his notable performance and will now be invited, alongside Dan, the current Isle of Man Engineering Apprentice of the Year, to represent the Island at the NWAA Talent Awards in March at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. Gail Corrin, Programme Manager for Higher Education at Isle of Man College of Further & Higher Education said: Daniel, Ashley and Chris represented an outstanding group of students currently undertaking a BEng Manufacturing Engineering at the College, in partnership with the University of Chester. We are thrilled but not surprised that they did so well in the NWAA Business University Challenge. There are many benefits in studying for a degree on island at the College, especially when combined with a high level of employer support as is the case with Swagelok but it is essential that our students also gain off island experience and prestigious events such as this enable them to do this. Congratulations all round. Adrian Moore, Chair of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster added: It s very encouraging to see the high levels of performance that our engineering students are achieving. The future is very bright for careers in manufacturing in the Isle of Man with long order books and significant investment being put into developing a new generation of local engineers. From left to right: Chris Killey, Ashley Howard & Daniel Catlow Saving money on energy costs Quarterly Utility Forums have been established as an informal discussion group for individuals to explore practical energy efficiency and cost-effective energy conservation measures. They provide a knowledgeable insight into market trends in electricity, water and sewerage charges both on the Isle of Man and in the UK. The Forum provides the opportunity to share best practice in utility management across a range of business sectors ranging from manufacturing to hospitality, retailing and construction - and provide the opportunity to network with other key energy and sustainability champions in other Island organisations to share their experiences and knowledge. The Forums are chaired by Manx Utilities and usually held at their HQ building. They encourage an easy-going discussion of key technological and organisational measures to reduce energy and carbon costs using proven energy monitoring and targeting software in combination with behavioural changes from specialised training in energy management. A key external speaker is also frequently invited to present on UK utility practices that could impact on Island based organisations in the short to medium term. In the past speakers have come from a range of organisations including Marks & Spencer, Mitsubishi Electric and Major Energy Users Council (MEUC) and have presented on a variety of topics such as: economics of investing in large scale solar PV installations; cost benefits of air source heat pumps as a form of renewable heating source and long term global gas price trends. The last Utility Forum was held in December and was attended by over 20 representatives from a range of Island based business sectors and focussed on the contrasting energy market structures and infrastructure between the Isle of Man and the UK and the consequent impact on future energy price trends. A reputable speaker Eddie Proffitt who heads the Gas section of the Major Energy Users Council provided a UK perspective on future developments in the energy marketplace and MEUC s activities to mitigate the financial impact on large industrial and commercial organisations of future rises in energy prices. The next meeting will be held in March and will provide an update of future electricity, water and sewerage charges for the next financial year. All Chamber Members are very welcome to attend. 5 Athol House 21 23 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB Telephone +44(0) 1624 674941