On July 7, 2022, Spincraft UK enjoyed welcoming Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, to its Benwell facility for an in-depth site tour demonstrating our advanced metal forming capabilities. Managing Director Don Murray and staff proudly provided the facility tour. They highlighted many of Spincraft’s core solutions that are critical for the global aerospace, medical, defence and energy sectors.

“It was a pleasure to introduce Chi Onwurah to the people and products of Spincraft. Her natural affinity for Engineering and Manufacturing was evident and made our discussions both easy and insightful,” said Don Murray.

 

Some of the vital solutions Ms. Onwurah was introduced to by the team included MRI scanner vessel ends, space launch-vehicle hardware and other precision-engineered products. The Spincraft team shared an overview of where these manufactured solutions can be found in new generation space launch vehicles and satellites, medical imaging devices, deepwater rigs and more.

In an article posted by The Manufacturer, Chi Onwurah was quoted saying, “I was delighted to visit Spincraft and hear about their plans to grow their crucial, specialist manufacturing business. It was thrilling to learn that components of rockets that go to Jupiter and beyond are being made by the Tyne in Benwell.”

 

Newcastle has a significant manufacturing history and Spincraft UK has decades of experience contributing to the North East manufacturing sector. The Benwell and Newburn Spincraft sites are currently in a growth phase as they begin transforming from manufacturing traditional metal spinning products to increasingly higher specification and value complex solutions. The site stands poised to shape the next generation of global space flight, zero-emission aviation and nuclear energy.

This visit was in partnership with Make UK’s National Manufacturing Day initiatives. The goal of National Manufacturing Day is for UK manufacturers to showcase uniquely specialized in-house technologies to their local community while raising awareness of the benefits manufacturing provides to various markets that influence our everyday life. Additionally, this event provided exposure to well-paid career opportunities within manufacturing.

Learn more about Spincraft UK’s capabilities and how we can solve your sector’s most challenging forming needs with cost-effective advanced metal forming solutions. Visit our website for more information on our in-house assets and diverse portfolio of solutions, click here.

Standex ETG is proud to recognize Martyn Jones in honor of his retirement this month after an amazing 48+ years with our Spincraft UK business. Martyn has played a critical role in keeping facility equipment running to support customer demands and helping the business transition from hydraulic power-assisted to CNC forming technology. He has seen and supported the transformation of the UK facility as it has developed new capabilities and solutions in Aerospace, Defence and beyond.

A luncheon was held in Martyn’s honor to thank him for his commitment and contributions to Spincraft and Standex ETG.

We wish him the best of luck and a happy retirement!

Sept 2018, Spincraft Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK: ETG’s Spincraft facility proudly achieved Bronze Status from the UK based ‘Better Health at Work’ (BHAW) program in Sept 2018. The award required an in-depth assessment of Spincraft’s compliance to a set of 10 Criterion set forth by the organization.

This journey began in April 2017, with Spincraft UK assigning 3 employees for Health Advocate Training. These Spincraft employees came from HR, Sales and workforce departments; and would become the driving force behind the program and responsible for communications with BHAW. The Health Advocates were responsible for internal communications, implementation and execution of the various programs, as well as gathering and recording supporting evidence of compliance.

Spincraft’s commitment to the Better Health at Work program involved the following: 1. Run three health events in 2018 2. Promote mental health and wellbeing. 3. Raise awareness of risky alcohol and drug use. 4. Ensure employees are aware of dietary issues and promote healthy food choices. 5. Enforce smoke free legislation. 6. Analyze sickness absence trends. 7. Evaluate employee welfare facilities. 8. Ensure ongoing communication on wellbeing issues. 9. Be audited on progress toward the bronze award.

Spincraft ran several campaigns throughout the year to focus on various wellness topics. Actions ranged from simple awareness activities such as posters and brochure distribution, to holding company events complete with speakers from various health professions. Of the many actions over the year, Spincraft Health Advocates felt the most significant based on company involvement and feedback were the following:

• Stress and Mental Health: A presentation from Sally Allen Trust featured a speaker discussing the importance of mental wellbeing. Topics covered recognizing signs of stress and depression, the serious potential results if symptoms are not treated, and small but effective steps we can all take to combat these illnesses. The presentation included a poignant introduction from Gordon Allen, Sally’s widow, who touched upon the impact to the families of those suffering from stress and depression.

• Health MOT: Employees were invited to attend an on-site appointment with a nurse for a general health review. This included a check on height, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as additional age-appropriate checks for those over 45 years.

• Alcohol and Drug Awareness: Employees in small groups attended a workshop which highlighted how alcohol can impair your senses. Each attendant had the opportunity to wear ‘beer googles’ which re-created the effects of alcohol on your vision, and then took part in a simple exercise whilst wearing the googles.

• Musculoskeletal: Spincraft reached out to local Physiotherapist, Matt Denby of Embrace Physiotherapy, who provided a presentation and workshop. Matt demonstrated various exercises that could be done at work and/or at home to help prevent various musculoskeletal disorders.

Other campaigns included Healthy Eating and Weight Management, Physical Activity, Stop Smoking, Hydration, and Cancer awareness.

Congratulations to Spincraft Health Advocates Ricky Forsyth, Ni Hazard, and Kingsley ‘Chic’ Irving for a job well done. And to Spincraft UK employees for supporting and embracing Better Health at Work. Plans are underway for 2019 programs as Spincraft’s next goal will be the Silver Award.

Spincraft UK Health Advocates and several employees are shown with the Better Health at Work Bronze Award.