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A new warehouse is being opened in Chippenham by the tech firm Huboo, which will create 400 logistics jobs for the area. Huboo has developed technology that provides online retailers with the tools access and complete end-to-end fulfillment operations and the increased demand for its services has required the firm to add significantly to its capacity. The new 106,000 sq ft facility is not the only expansion that the firm is undergoing, as the announcement about the Chippenham warehouse came shortly after the business expanded its operations in Europe too. Huboo said that Chippenham was the ideal location for the new warehouse because it has great transport links to nearby cities like Bristol and is also very well connected when it comes to ports like Southampton too. The 400 new jobs being created at the warehouse will include roles such as hub manager, site manager and site supervisor.

The food manufacturing firm Bakkavor has announced the creation of 1,081 jobs across the UK as part of a nationwide expansion scheme. There are many different roles being created as part of this move, including food production operative, logistics technician and engineering manager. The job opportunities are in locations across the country, from Crewe to Nantwich. Bakkavor is keen to recruit new talent from communities nationwide in the UK and to build its current presence in the country to help the business grow. There are many career development opportunities within the business and all employees across the 23 nationwide sites benefit from training programmes that take into account not just career progression but also individual development. Bakkavor is a partner to some of the best-known supermarkets in the UK, producing a number of freshly prepared products, from meals to desserts. The company already employs 16,000 people across the UK and an additional 3,000 internationally.

Figures from the latest manufacturing survey show that the South West is the region leading the country in job creation in 2022 after an exceptionally positive start to the year. Manufacturers in the UK have enjoyed a boost in domestic orders, which has supported growth in manufacturing jobs and the highest level of recruitment intentions anywhere in the UK. Total output in the South West is the highest anywhere in the UK and almost double that recorded for the final part of 2021. There are a number of reasons for this impressive recovery, not least the spike in domestic orders and stability with respect to the number of international orders. Plus, the South West has benefitted from recovery in the aerospace sector as well as investments made in this part of the country in renewable energy. For those in manufacturing jobs in the UK, the South West is a land of opportunity at the start of 2022.

There are many different ways in which businesses have taken steps to help Ukrainians who have been forced out of their country. The supermarket Iceland has offered to fast track Ukrainian applicants for jobs with the chain and its logistics partner. The business also promised to provide support for applicants in terms of obtaining the right to work and finding somewhere to live on arrival in the UK. The offer of help was posted to Iceland's social media platforms and included a link to the recruitment page of the logistics partner GXO. The GXO recruitment page contains a range of roles in areas such as lorry driving and warehouse jobs. Management at the supermarket made it clear that this was in response to the war in Ukraine and what they see as the need to support everyone whose lives and jobs have been taken from them. At the moment, Iceland hasn't provided any more information on how the fast tracking is going to be achieved.

Lockhead Martin is one of the largest defence contractors in the world, employing around 100,000 people globally. It has now been revealed that the contractor is exploring a space in the UK that could potentially generate more than 2,000 aerospace manufacturing jobs. Specifically, Lockhead is looking at the North East of England, where it would make a £50 million investment if the move does go ahead. The UK and Europe regional director of the business has outlined how it is focused on helping to nurture growth in the UK, in particular when it comes to establishing it as one of the "most prosperous and capable space sectors in the world." There are many reasons why Lockhead Martin is looking at the North East of England, and why it is such a good prospect for this kind of investment. These include the strong manufacturing heritage in this part of England, as well as the reputation for quality output and the skilled nature of the local workforce.

Construction materials business, Tarmac, is responsible for some of the most high-profile projects involving tarmac, including resurfacing Silverstone racetrack in 2019 for the Grand Prix and the Catesby Tunnel, which is the longest underground automotive test track in Europe. Now, Tarmac has announced that it is undertaking its biggest ever recruitment drive in key areas such as logistics.

2020 and 2021 were not particularly easy years for British manufacturers. From the impact of Brexit to rising costs there was a lot to contend with. However, a survey by accountants PwC and trade body Make UK has found that, despite these recent issues, the mood among UK manufacturers is optimistic. 73% said that they felt like conditions would improve for the sector.

Sheffield, Yorkshire looks like it could soon be the home of a major new logistics site that could generate around 450 jobs for the local area. Plans have been lodged by TCCL with the local council to demolish the existing construction on a site at Shepcote Lane and replace this with a brand new 380,000 sq ft building that will represent a key opportunity for redevelopment in this part of the UK.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, has signalled that it is about to go through an expansion that is designed to help restore the business to its former position as one of the most innovative companies in the world. In recent years, the chipmaker has lost its technological edge to competitors and market share has reduced as a result. Now, expansion plans in countries, including Germany and Italy, will see Intel seek to regain its former position.

Innovation is constantly transforming the logistics industry and providing opportunities to streamline and introduce greater efficiencies. Double roll cage robots are the latest technology that look set to transform the sector and create advantages for businesses in UK grocery. These autonomous mobile robots are capable of taking over the job of heavy load transport and order picking in warehouses and logistics operations. The robots have been designed specifically for the grocery sector – with the ability to continue to operate even on rough surfaces and at temperatures of -25° C to +40°C without degradation of battery life. As the robots are only 17cm high they are able to fit into much smaller spaces than many of the other robots that are already on the market, which gives them a great deal more versatility. The machines are capable of transporting loads of up to 1,000kg and take just 1.5 hours to achieve a full charge from 10% to 100%.