♦  The accountant BDO Stoy Hayward estimates that 1,841 UK manufacturers failed during 2008 – a 37% increase on the 2007 figure of 1,341. It expects the trend to continue, predicting around 2,413 manufacturing insolvencies in 2009 and 2,345 in 2010.

♦  The MRO distributor Brammer has acquired the UK Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) business from the Barnes Group. VMI provides line-side access to consumable parts for engineering shopfloors via a kanban-style bin system.

♦  Despite the weak economic climate, the UK subsidiary of the German indexing technology specialist, Weiss, had a record 2008, with turnover exceeding £500,000 for the first time since Telford-based Weiss UK started trading in 2001. The growth has been aided by new products and an order for more than 30 heavy-duty indexers for GM’s Ellesmere Port Vauxhall plant.

♦  After more than 30 years in Beeston, Nottingham, the cable chain supplier, Kabelschlepp Metool has relocated to new premises in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, about 6km away.  Telephone numbers will not be affected.