Michael Ribbeck

Redditch-based IM Export Services has doubled its daily output of bespoke timber cases and crates after working with Warwick Manufacturing Group through the council-funded Innovation Lighthouse programme. Recommendations including a redesigned workshop layout and 11 new workbenches improved workflow and gave staff dedicated workspaces. The company serves engineering, manufacturing, aerospace and defence clients and plans additional workshop modernisation through 2026.

Worcestershire on Demand has recorded more than 211,000 passenger trips since launching as a Bromsgrove pilot in 2021, including over 80,000 journeys in the past year. The on-demand bus service now covers much of Worcestershire, helping residents access work, education, healthcare and essential services where conventional public transport is limited. Its booking and tracking app has been downloaded nearly 24,000 times, while passengers give the service an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Stagecoach Midlands is replacing historic Setright paper ticket machines with Ticketer TK300 models across the region. The new machines can store hundreds of routes, issue tickets at the touch of a button and track vehicle locations for display in the Stagecoach app. Managing director Mark Whitelocks said the company wanted to recognise its ticketing heritage while highlighting modern features such as contactless payment; Stagecoach also reports that nearly 10% of its 8,400-vehicle fleet is now electric.