Page 13 - Industrial Technology July 2021

Yuasa set to create TÜV SÜD UK launches machinery

more than 100 UKCA compliance audit service

new jobs at Ebbw

ÜV SÜD has launched a Machinery UKCA Audit machinery placed on the market for the first time in Great
Vale factory service which will support end-users to verify Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), but CE marking
will continue to be accepted in Northern Ireland.
their equipment complies with new UK
Tregulatory requirements. The Machinery UKCA Machinery manufacturers do have eight months’
lobal battery manufacturer GS Yuasa, Audit service is a pre-delivery inspection that grace in the form of a further transitional arrangement for
which has a production plant in Ebbw Vale, complements factory acceptance tests (FATs). This the acceptance of CE marking until 1st January 2022.
is creating 105 new jobs and protecting a enables the purchaser to determine if equipment is built After this time, any machinery sold in the UK,
Gfurther 360 positions with support from and operating in accordance with UKCA requirements irrespective of when that model was first placed on the
Welsh Government funding of up to £2.5m. This before they make a final payment. Any non-compliance market, must carry a UKCA marking. All machinery
forms part of a multi-million pound investment by the issues identified at this stage are still the responsibility of should meet relevant essential health and safety
Japanese based corporation. the manufacturer and can be rectified before machinery requirements (EHSRs), which are detailed in the UKCA
The company is one of the world’s leading global is delivered, rather than trying to fix issues at an end- Regulations. A technical file for the machinery should
manufacturers of Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) user’s site - saving time and money. also be available. Alongside this, a UK Declaration of
and Lithium-ion batteries. The funding will help the Paul Taylor, business development director for Conformity is required, or a Declaration of Incorporation
company increase production volumes and upgrade industrial services at TÜV SÜD UK, said: “It is far too for partly completed machinery, listing relevant UK
processes so they are more energy efficient. GS Yuasa common for machinery to be delivered and installed with legislation and UK designated standards. For specific
is a market leader for a wide range of vehicle and multiple non-compliance issues. However, the process of higher risk machinery that requires type-examination by a
industrial batteries, with applications spanning identifying and correcting them at this stage becomes certification body, a UK Approved Body will be
everything from cars and caravans to security and more difficult and time consuming. This often results in required.
telecom. the end-user having to raise further capital to resolve MORE INFORMATION: www.tuvsud.com/uk
The company’s Ebbw Vale factory manufactures outstanding problems, all of
VRLA standby batteries that are predominantly used which could have been
in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems and avoided.
other industrial markets. During the coronavirus “As UKCA markings are a
pandemic these batteries also supplied power to the visible sign that a product
NHS Nightingale hospitals and other key medical complies with all of the
projects. relevant UK regulations, it is
A new assembly line will be installed to produce essential that machinery end-
new Lithium-ion battery modules, with semi- users understand both their
automation of key processes also introduced at our responsibilities and those of
base in Rassau Industrial Estate. their machine’s manufacturer.
The support, which comes from Welsh Our new Machinery UKCA
Government’s Economic Futures Fund, will be key in Audit service will help them
creating new employment opportunities and achieve this,” concluded
safeguarding the long-term future of the site. Taylor.
Andrew Taylor, managing director and CEO of GS Since the EU exit transition
Yuasa Battery Europe, said: “This considerable period came to an end on 31st
investment is great news for the continued December 2020, the UKCA
development and growth of our industrial battery marking is required for new
business across Europe. Our manufacturing facility in
Ebbw Vale produces Europe’s market leading range of
industrial VRLA batteries with a pedigree of high
performance, reliability and quality established over New SI e-learning program to build
the past 40 years.
“It will help us to safeguard our current workforce
of over 360 employees and will also assist us in Edge Computing competencies
creating over 100 new local jobs as we expand
operations over the next three to five years.
“Our ambitious plans include the installation of tratus Technologies has launched a new and represents a tremendous opportunity for System
new energy efficient production equipment to increase program to enable System Integrators (SIs) to Integrators to support end users,” said Mike Bradshaw,
manufacturing capacity, renewable energy sources develop Edge Computing competencies and senior director for global channels and partner ecosystem
and the establishment of an assembly and R&D Sdeployment expertise. Through Stratus-led at Stratus. “Less than half of end user organisations have
facility for state-of-the-art Lithium-ion battery training, certification, and accreditation, SIs now have the expertise of how and when to deploy Edge
modules. These will all contribute to GS Yuasa’s the tools and support to develop Edge Computing Computing. Stratus’ Global System Integrator Program
global policy of reducing carbon emissions and technology practices to generate new revenue. provides the curriculum and accreditation as well as the
helping to build a more sustainable society.” The program’s top partnership level, Stratus Endorsed deployment methodology and service support SIs need to
Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “GS status, allows SIs to implement Stratus Edge Computing successfully deliver value for their customers at the
Yuasa is a hugely important employer in Ebbw Vale platforms using a repeatable and profitable methodology edge.”
and news the business is investing in its future there to ensure high-quality solution delivery, and to bundle The Stratus Global Systems Integrator Program is
is to be warmly welcomed. I’m delighted we are Stratus Service offerings to provide on-going end user available to join at no cost, and offers partners three
supporting the company’s plans and that so many support. “Edge Computing is a fundamental Industry 4.0 levels of certification and accreditation.
quality employment opportunities will be created. technology that delivers high value and fast payback, MORE INFORMATION: partner.stratus.com

July 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY 13