Author: Rhys Gregory

South Wales Police is currently in attendance with emergency service colleagues from fire and rescue and the ambulance service at an incident at Tata Steelworks, Port Talbot. Emergency services received numerous calls at around 3.35am this morning and remain on scene. All members of staff are have been accounted for and there are only two casualties with minor injuries. Early indications are that the seat of the explosion was a train which carries molton metal into the works. The explosion caused some small fires which are all under control and damage to some buildings on the site. South West Fire…

Innovative technology developed by a fast-growing firm in Wales is being used to help make precision products aimed at saving lives – and has won a Queen’s Award for Innovation in recognition of its work. [aoa id=”1″] Laser Wire Solutions, based in Treforest Industrial Estate in Rhondda Cynon Taf, develops cutting-edge laser technology for the stripping and connection of specialist high value wires – used mainly in medical device manufacturing. The firm, which employs 30 people at its Pontypridd base, was established seven years ago and in 2017 launched a new laser machine for manufacturers of medical devices. [/aoa] It…

Hosted by Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, the UK Loggers (UKL) Competition and training day was a huge success, welcoming 11 participants in a series of challenges. Overall winner was Mark Edwards, who compiled the highest score in a multitude of categories including tree felling, combined cuts, limbing, fitting a new chain and precision cuts. [aoa id=”1″] Sponsored by Tilhill Forestry, Euroforest Ltd, Husqvarna, Aspen, mwmac Ltd and Ruthin’s Clifford Jones Timber, UKL spokesman Richard Siddons said it was a fantastic occasion. “Well done to Mark Edwards for an excellent performance, and thanks to all the judges, helpers and competitors for making…

The newly created Hard Asset Vendor section at Henry Howard Finance have increased their team with two new appointments, to support companies who offer finance solutions to their business customers.  [aoa id=”1″] Ben Bennet, Senior Account Manager at Henry Howard Finance, joins the team from DLL.  Prior to this Ben held financial roles spanning 25 years, at GE Capital. Simon Dodd, Account Manager, has over 30 years financial industry experience, and also previously held a role at GE Capital. [/aoa] The Hard Asset Vendor team specialise in working with dealers and manufacturers in the Construction, Materials Handling and Transport sectors.…

The Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) has been awarded £426k by Innovate UK to develop its pioneering work in the recycling of medical waste material which can generate income for the NHS. [aoa id=”1″] The award was made through Innovate UK Open Call competition and the £426k is 70% funded by Innovate UK, with 30% invested by TCG. TCG has already won numerous awards for its work to divert polypropylene patient transfer sheets and single-use sterilisation wraps, used for surgical instruments in millions of operations in hospitals across the UK every year, from landfill. The company then uses the materials to…

Overall sentiment in the commercial property sector in Wales weakened in Q1 2019, with data for the office and industrial sectors softening and retail continuing to struggle, according to the Q1 2019 RICS survey. [aoa id=”1″]Overall demand from occupiers for commercial property in Wales saw a marginal decline over the quarter.  However, that was driven by the retail sector, where 31% more respondents reported a fall rather than rise in demand for retail units. Occupier demand for office space edged upwards but at a slower rate than in Q4 2018. Meanwhile, the industrial sector including warehouses, continued to see a…

A GROWING Wrexham copier firm has launched a new IT division creating four new jobs. [aoa id=”1″] Rawson Digital, based in The Bridge Business Centre on Wrexham Industrial Estate, has created a new company to provide an IT support, consultancy, security and cloud service to new and existing customers. The new firm, which will be known as Rawson IT Services and based next door to the existing Rawson Digital offices, has always been in the long-term plan for Rawson Digital managing director and founder Vaughn Rawson who set up his business from home, six years ago. [/aoa] Vaughn now has…

Tafwyl, the Welsh festival has revealed further acts as part of the headline announcement this year with Gwenno, Adwaith and Lleuwen to kick-start the Friday night debut. This will be the first 3-day feast of music for Tafwyl festival, curated by PYST. Following its growth from its earlier days of 1,000 attendees, the festival drew a staggering 40,000 in 2018, and this year it’s expected to attract the highest ever attendance. Taking place at the Cardiff Castle on Friday evening 21 June, Saturday June 22 and Sunday 23 June, with over 50 artists playing across four stages makes it the…

A dynamic new production agency has launched in South Wales to help businesses make their voices heard. [aoa id=”1″] In an increasingly noisy marketplace, Bradley Lever is aware that standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. And to help his clients do that, Bradley’s business The Content Creators, aims to show how adventurous, quality imagery, both moving and still, can make all the difference. [/aoa] “Our aim is to produce memorable, high impact imagery for marketing material, in print, on websites and social media,” said Bradley. “With so much going on in the marketplace these days, it is vital to get your voice heard and…

There is still time to be part of the annual Wales-wide celebration of outstanding achievement in training and apprenticeships, the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. [aoa id=”1″] The closing date for entries is 12 noon, 3 May, and application forms are available online at gov.wales/apprenticeshipawardscymru. Culminating in a high-profile ceremony at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport on October 24th, the prestigious awards showcase the successes of learners, employers, tutors and assessors who have excelled in contributing to the development of the Welsh Government’s traineeship and apprenticeship programmes. [/aoa] There are 12 categories, including a new “Tomorrow’s Talent” category, which gives…