Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Returns For 2026

EngineeringUK’s popularnational campaign, Tomorrow’s Engineers Week,is set to return for 2026.Taking place on 9-13 November, the week will celebrate British engineering and technology while showcasing exciting career opportunities to inspire the next generation.Each year, thousands of students from across the UK take part in the celebration. From classroom activities and assemblies to Q&A sessions with real engineers, young people get the chance to discover the exciting and impactful world of engineering and technology. Now in its 14th year, 2025 saw a record 60,000 pupils take part.

More information www.bit.ly/4tDE5AL

XYZ and MTT Celebrate 25 Years

XYZ and Limerick-based Machine Tool Technologies (MTT) are celebrating 25 years of partnership, allowing manufacturers of one-offs and small batches across Ireland to be both productive and efficient.MTT took on board the agency for the sales and support of XYZ machines right from its formation.

Richard O’Keeffe, founder and managing director, says: “When starting MTT, I wanted to work with XYZ. We fully understood how the company’s machines and the ProtoTRAK controlcouldhelp workshops in Ireland to be cost competitive in the manufacture of components.”During a recent visit to the XYZ head office in Devon, MTT was introduced to the latest machine in the XYZ portfolio, the 400 UMC five-axis universal machining centre.

More information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Digital centre for southwest

Deep-tech innovation organisation Digital Catapult is opening a new office for South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath, strengthening its long-term commitment to working in partnership across the southwest of England and Wales. Delivering shared economic and skills ambitions, Digital Catapult is primed to offer in-demand innovation services to local start-ups and businesses, including technological consultancy, accelerator programmes and access to Digital Catapult’s network of laboratories. The new facility is located on the Bristol & Bath Science Park.More information www.bit.ly/4bIOcOg

New MD at Vollmer UK

A change in management is taking place at the UK subsidiary of grinding and erosion machine manufacturer Vollmer Group. After many successful years, Martyn Cross will step down from his role as managing director in April 2026 and retire, with Christopher Hellyer taking up the position. Apprentice-trained, Hellyer began his professional career as a service technician before moving into sales, where he gained more than 33 years of experience in senior positions. He will take on his new responsibilities gradually and work closely with Cross over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.

More information www.vollmer-group.com/en-uk

Rapid Fusion passes £2m sales milestone

The ability to deliver engineered solutions for real-world moulds and tooling is helping an Exeter-based technology specialist record another year of growth. Rapid Fusion, which is based in a £750,000 state-of-the-art demonstration facility, has seen demand for its large format additive manufacturing solutions increase again, with domestic and international sales secured for its Apollo, Zeus and Medusa products. This string of orders has taken revenues past the £2m mark for the first time in its three-year history and lays the foundation for the company to accelerate the roll-out of its latest solution – Cerberus.More information www.rapidfusion.co.uk