International lubricant manufacturer Houghton Oils (www.hte.houghton.co.uk) opened a dedicated consultation and training facility in Lancashire last month.

Called the Fluid Intelligence Academy, it is based at the Advanced Manufacturing and Automation Centre (AMAC) in Blackburn and is the first in a series of European roll-outs of academies that will enable consultation sessions between customers, their regional Houghton account manager and Fluid Intelligence specialists.

In partnership with Training 2000, an established training provider, the Fluid Intelligence Academy will also serve as a facility to train Houghton employees, clients and apprentices with hands-on learning focused on industry best practice.

The academy is equipped with the latest CMM technology, fluid maintenance management equipment and PLC software to give clients the opportunity to mirror their manufacturing processes in a secure environment.

With technology supplied by DMG Mori, Siemens, Mazak, Allen Bradley and Renishaw, the academy can support the most complex manufacturing processes.

Lee Bowditch, EMEA business development director, said: “The Fluid Intelligence Academy will be pivotal in supporting the Fluid Intelligence initiative and accompanying department.

"This facility will play a key role in helping clients to realise process enhancements, through hands-on consultation, demonstration, trial and development.

"As a dual-purpose facility, it will help to drive down manufacturers’ costs while at the same time investing in the education of our future engineers.”