A Leicestershire distiller unveils an exclusive and specially produced new product to provide vital funds to the National Forest. The National Forest Gin has been hand-crafted and expertly distilled by Leicestershire based Burleighs Gin in a partnership which will provide a donation from every bottle sold to the National Forest, to support its vision for growing a better and greener future. Working in partnership with expert foresters, Burleighs has developed a unique botanical recipe that is inspired by the new and ancient forests surrounding the Burleighs Distillery in Nanpantan, Loughborough. The National Forest Gin is a vibrant, earthy creation featuring elderflower, blackberries and wild cherry. Using the signature Burleighs recipe as a base, bold juniper and zesty citrus have been added to create a classic gin – which is perfectly complemented by the flavours of the forest. Sam Watson, commercial director at Burleighs Gin, said: “Burleighs Gin is situated in the heart of the National Forest, and we have always been inspired by the beauty of our historic surroundings. “In fact, our Signature recipe was built around unique botanicals found hidden away in the Burleighs woodland adjacent to our distillery, so it’s been a great experience to elevate this further and create an exciting new product for the National Forest itself.” The National Forest is one of the boldest environmentally-led regeneration initiatives in the country – transforming a post-industrial landscape by creating a forest across 200 square miles of the Midlands, linking the ancient remnant forests of Charnwood and Needwood. Since the early 1990s, 9 million trees have been planted in an area that was previously one of the least wooded parts of the country. John Everitt, chief executive at the National Forest Company, commented: “Burleighs is a fantastic example of a business which is growing with the Forest and reflects our shared vision for a greener future. We are really proud to be partnering with Burleighs to have our own unique gin and to showcase the high-quality products being made here in the National Forest.” Inspired by the work of the National Forest, Burleighs Gin has embarked on its own mission to become more sustainable. It has introduced biodegradable and recyclable packaging to complement its existing solar powered electricity, and all glass bottles and cardboard boxes at the site are recycled via a comprehensive recycling system. The company has invested in portable distilling benches where guests can create their very own gin using new copper stills – water is stored beneath rather than via the mains which is passed through a purification filter, ready for use in the gin making process. Sam continues: “We’ve made significant changes at Burleighs over the last year to improve the sustainability of the company. We’re also proud of the fact that the bottles used for the National Forest Gin have been made from recycled glass – a decision that is perfectly aligned with everything that the National Forest stands for. “The Burleighs and National Forest collaboration is an exciting development to continue our mission to make Burleighs Gin even more sustainable.”

A recognised leader in Industry 4.0 technologies, the University has extensive capabilities including additive layer manufacturing, lightweight materials, metrology and digital approaches to design and manufacture, as well as sustainable energy and power management systems. Professor Andy Schofield, Programme & Technology Integration Director, within BAE Systems’ Air Sector, and Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham, said: “We’ve had a strong partnership with the University of Nottingham for a number of years, with our teams working closely together to jointly develop next generation manufacturing capabilities that will transform the future of aircraft production. “We look forward to deepening our relationship and exploring how the University’s world-class industry 4.0 knowledge and research capabilities can be applied to other areas of our business.” Professor Svetan Ratchev, Cripps Professor of Production Engineering and Director of the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at the University of Nottingham, said: “Formalising our strategic partnership will allow us to translate the latest research results into industrial applications, develop new technologies and deliver major societal, environmental and economic impact. It will also provide our students with more exciting opportunities to gain valuable industrial experience, enhance their knowledge and develop their future careers.” Confirmation of the formal partnership follows a sustained period of successful collaboration in key technological areas such as ‘cobotics’, which enables people and robots to work in co-operation on complex tasks. This was born from the Integrated Autonomous Assembly Demonstrator which prototyped robotic assembly of aircraft structures and used data from digital designs to optimise manufacturing processes. This work was led by the University of Nottingham with input from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. Nottingham and BAEs other strategic universities are also active in research into sustainability, particularly in energy management. This is of great importance to the company, given its target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions operations across its operations by 2030 and help inspire the development of sustainable technologies for its customers. BAE Systems continues to develop its UK university partnerships, with Nottingham becoming the company’s sixth strategic university partner. This builds on existing partnerships with Cranfield University, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, the University of Southampton and the University of Strathclyde.

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has awarded Derby City Council over £9m in funding – £6.875m from its Getting Building Fund and £2.2m from its Growing Places Fund – to support the development of a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) at Infinity Park in Derby. The Nuclear AMRC Midlands research and development facility will provide c.4,300m2 of new floorspace dedicated to research and development, which will support productivity growth and sustainable practises within the manufacturing sector and help to position Derby and the wider D2N2 region as a key advanced manufacturing and innovation hub for the UK nuclear centre and beyond. Bringing together the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear AMRC and the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Manufacturing (IISE), the facility will carry out research, innovation, supply chain development and teaching with the purpose of developing the skills and capability of businesses in the region and nationally, to support the UK Government objectives for Net Zero by 2050 and growth in manufacturing from 11% GDP to 20% GDP by 2030. Locally, the facility will support local SMEs to improve their productivity by providing access to high quality research and development opportunities, tailored business support and opportunities to upskill their workforce, creating a broader and more resilient economic base. Workers will have access to specialist training and development to equip them for more productive and higher paid roles. The Nuclear AMRC Midlands will deliver 70 direct jobs, support 35 collaborative R&D projects and support 100 businesses through the Fit For Nuclear supply chain development programme in its first five years of operation. Fifty learners will be supported, with a further 50 employees upskilled. Elizabeth Fagan, chair of the D2N2 LEP Board, said: “Our recovery and growth strategy highlights the importance of low carbon growth and raising productivity levels across our region. Our investments into Infinity Park and the Nuclear AMRC will play a critical role to in developing clusters of highly productive and sustainable businesses across D2N2 and supporting local economic development.” Andrew Storer, Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “We’re delighted to secure funding for the new facility at Infinity Park, and will continue to work with D2N2, the University of Derby and other local partners to deliver high-value jobs and support the region’s economic recovery. “With the transition to net-zero emissions at the top of the national and international agenda, there will be huge long-term opportunities for manufacturers of all sizes in nuclear and other low-carbon sectors such as offshore renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture. It’s part of our job to help the supply chain in and around Derby to win that work.”

UK manufacturing output volumes in the quarter to October grew at a similarly firm pace to September, according to the latest quarterly CBI Industrial Trends Survey. The survey of 263 manufacturers reported output increasing in 11 out of 17 sub-sectors, with growth driven by the chemicals, aerospace, and food, drink & tobacco sub-sectors. Firms expect output growth to pick up substantially in the next quarter. Total new orders grew at a slower, but still strong, pace compared to July, with the deceleration driven by an easing in domestic orders growth. Meanwhile, export orders increased at a broadly similar pace to last quarter. Manufacturers expect total new orders growth to pick up next quarter, led by an acceleration in domestic and export orders. Concerns about supply shortages in the next three months escalated further in October. Almost two-thirds of firms cited availability of materials/components as a factor likely to limit output next quarter (highest share since January 1975). Manufacturers also expressed heightened concerns about labour shortages affecting future output, with two-in-five firms worried about a lack of skilled labour (highest since July 1974) and nearly a third concerned about availability of other labour (a survey-record high). The manufacturing sector continues to face acute cost and price pressures. Firms reported that average costs growth in the quarter to October remained broadly in line with July, which saw the fastest growth since 1980. Rapid cost growth has continued to feed into price pressures, with average domestic and export prices growing at their fastest rate since April 1980 and April 2011, respectively. Looking ahead to the next three months, costs growth is set to speed up further, with both domestic and export price inflation expected to accelerate. Anna Leach, CBI Deputy Chief Economist, said: “From higher material costs to labour shortages, manufacturers continue to face a number of serious global supply challenges hampering their ability to meet strong demand. “Manufacturers are using key levers, such as hiring new workers and planning further investment in plant & machinery and training, to expand production. But with both orders and costs growth expected to climb over the next quarter, we’re not out of the woods yet. “While the supply chain advisory group is set to help unblock short-term challenges facing production, strengthening the sector over the long-term demands bold action in the Budget. “By reforming the outdated business rates system and frontloading investment into new industries, the Government can turn the manufacturing industry into an engine for a more innovative and sustainable economy.” Tom Crotty, Group Director at INEOS and Chair of the CBI Manufacturing Council, said: “It is reassuring to see output and orders continue to grow as we enter the autumn. “However, the last quarter has been undoubtedly overshadowed by firms facing shortages of materials or components, struggling to fill roles, and grappling with increased energy cost pressures. It is essential that the government continues to work constructively with businesses to identify ways to alleviate this difficult situation. “On a more positive note, the upcoming COP26 climate summit presents an excellent opportunity for the manufacturing sector to showcase its achievements and highlight its critical role in the UK’s decarbonisation journey.” Numbers employed in the sector continued to rise at a similarly fast pace to July (which saw the quickest growth since 1973). Headcount growth is expected to pick up further in the next three months. Business optimism was flat in the three months to October, softening from the strong improvements seen over the last two quarters. Export optimism, meanwhile, grew at a similarly modest pace to July. Overall investment intentions remain strong, despite softening somewhat on last quarter. Firms expect capital expenditure to increase for plant & machinery, training & retraining, and product & process innovation in the next 12 months (compared to the last 12). Investment in buildings is expected to decrease.