April 2021

News 0 6 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April 2021 ESAB’s parent company, Colfax Corporation, intends to separate its ESAB fabrication technology business and its specialty medical technology businesses into two separate, independent and publicly-traded companies. ESAB is expected to be comprised of Colfax’s Fabrication Technology operating segment, which is forecasted to generate revenue of approximately $2.2 billion in 2021. The separation is intended to be structured in a tax- free manner and is targeted to be completed in the first quarter of 2022. Shyam Kambeyanda, ESAB’s Chief Executive Officer, will continue to lead the fabrication technology company, which will remain headquartered in Maryland, USA. ESAB is a fabrication technology leader with an unparalleled global footprint, track record of industry-leading product innovation and strong positions in attractive emerging markets. The company has successfully executed its operational improvement strategy to out-grow peers in recent years and significantly increase margins and cash flow. Through strategic bolt-on acquisitions, ESAB has broadened its product and technology offering, extended its geographic reach and expanded into attractive new segments. The company also announced that it is holding its Xpanse event (www.esabxpanse.com) virtually on April 27th- 29th, featuring more than 50 recent product introductions that address the needs of every market segment as well as online classroom opportunities with ESAB University. Highlights include online data management and analytic applications that are easy to deploy and use, wire feeders that redefine robustness and productivity, portable inverters, energy efficient heavy-industrial solutions, a combination high- precision plasma and waterjet cutting system, filler metals, mechanised welding systems, lightweight manual plasma cutters and personal protective equipment. Mikael Mimer, director of product marketing, Europe, ESAB commented: “To understand the breadth and depth of our ability to solve challenges, as well as an opportunity to interact with our application experts, I would encourage participation in the ESAB Europe Xpanse virtual event. HVM Catapult to lead project to address future skills gaps The High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVM Catapult) has been appointed by the DfE to lead an exciting new project to develop high- quality modular courses focused on upskilling employees to help address future skills gaps in key sectors such as manufacturing and engineering. In January 2021, the government announced its Skills for Jobs White Paper which set out plans to transform the future of further and technical education in England. This included looking at how to support more people to study more flexibly and to gain the skills that employers need in the future. Starting in March 2021, this pilot scheme will support this work by using the technological and industrial know-how of the HVM Catapult to understand the future skills needed for UK manufacturing. Working alongside Institutes of Technology – unique collaborations between employers, universities, and colleges – the HVM Catapult will develop cutting-edge training content, focusing on new and emerging technologies such as robotics and AI, additive manufacturing, and composite materials. Dick Elsy, CEO of the HVM Catapult, commented: “There are longstanding skills issues that need addressing to ensure the continued global competitiveness of UK manufacturing. By using the HVM Catapult’s knowledge of cutting-edge innovation to build training for the manufacturing workforce, the Emerging Skills Project has the potential to transform the sector. We are extremely proud to partner with the Department for Education, Enginuity and Institutes of Technology to deliver a technical training system ready for the technologies of tomorrow’s factories.” Education Secretary Gavin Williamson added: “Investment in cutting- edge skills is at the heart of our plan to reform technical education, supporting people to get the skills our economy needs as we build back better from the pandemic. “This project will address the skills needed to level up productivity and drive economic growth across the country. I am delighted that this collaboration with the HVM Catapult, Institutes of Technology and Enginuity will deliver the skills needed in manufacturing both now and in the future and pave the way to ensure employers have access to the highly quality-talent pipeline they will need to thrive.” IoTs offer higher technical STEM education and training (mainly at Levels 4 and 5) in key sectors such as digital, construction, advanced manufacturing and engineering. They will be uniquely placed to deliver these courses to enable UK businesses – large and small – to ensure their workforce is equipped with the skills of tomorrow and able to better exploit emerging technologies. To assist in delivery of the project and increase sector-wide engagement in this project and process development, The HVM Catapult will be working in a partnership with the employer-led engineering skills body Enginuity. The pilot will run from March to December 2021 with potential rollout thereafter on a national scale. ESAB plans to become independent, Publicly traded company