Q1 Subcontract Market Up 8% on Q4 2025

The UK contract manufacturing market was fundamentally solid in the first quarter of 2026, showing healthy growth compared with the previous quarter, according to the latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) figures. The CMI stood at 75 for the quarter, up 8% on Q4 2025. It showed solid month-on-month growth from January onwards, but by the end March supplier quoting activitystarted seeing the effects of global events. On a process basis, machining represented 45% of the market, unchanged from the previous quarter, whilefabrication rose from 42% to 47% at the expense of other processes like moulding.

More information www.qimtek.co.uk

Mills CNC takes 41 machine orders at MACH

Mills CNC is describing its attendance at last month’s MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham
as nothing short of incredible and exceptional. With 41 orders for new machines and some
200 serious enquiries taken during the week-long show, the company reports that the event
has proved the best and most successful MACH Mills has attended in its 52-year history. In
total, the company’s stand hosted over 3000 visitors.

Reflects Tony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO: “What a fantastic show. From day one, our stand was
busy, creating a real buzz among visitors. I would like to thank everyone who visited our
MACH stand, it was much appreciated. We’re now actively engaged in following up the
hundreds of enquiries and leads taken at the exhibition, and I’m confident this activity will
result in even more sales in the weeks and months ahead.”
More information www.millscnc.co.uk

Fast-lane service for Röhm standard power chucks

To enable customers to put Röhm’s standard power chucks into operation on their machine tools as quickly as possible, the clamping and gripping technology specialist is now offering a fast-lane service. In practical terms, the move means that standard chucks can be delivered inside three days together with the corresponding machine‑specific adapter and matching flanges – depending on diameter – within two to four weeks.

The background of the new service is that an individual adapter is often required due to the specific characteristics of each machine on site.

Explains Matthias Volz, head of business development at Röhm: “Every power chuck and every machine has its own interface. To connect the two, you need a draw adapter for the chuck and, if required, a flange to serve as the machine interface.”

Manufacturing and delivering such custom add‑on components would normally take six to eight weeks…until now.

So how it work? Well, the adapter is mounted to the machine’s drawtube, drawbar or directly to the actuating cylinder, and on the other side to the chuck. It transfers the motion from the cylinder to the chuck to open and close it. The flange is required to attach the chuck to the machine spindle.

According to Volz, “because every machine spindle has a different bolt pattern and diameter, a separate flange is usually necessary”.

To ensure fast delivery, the following criteria apply: fast‑lane adapters are available only for standard thread sizes; spindle and chuck data must be provided; and delivery is made as accessory components and must be installed by the customer.

More information www.roehm.biz/en

Hirschmann presents solutions for precise manufacturing

At the 3rd Berlin-Brandenburg Technology Day held recently at the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Wildau, Carl Hirschmann GmbH presented its solutions for precise and efficient manufacturing processes in industrial production. The event once again developed into an important industry gathering for companies from the plastics technology, tool and mould making, and injection moulding sectors in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

Area sales manager Franz Wiemker represented the company at the event and presented Carl Hirschmann’s technologies. The focus was on rotary tables and clamping systems, which play a central role in automated manufacturing processes in terms of precision, process reliability and productivity.

The Technology Day provided an excellent opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with trade visitors from industry, development and production. Numerous discussions allowed for the exchange of ideas on current challenges in modern machining, automation and series production, as well as the establishment of new contacts with companies from Berlin, Brandenburg and northern Germany. This also led to initial approaches for future joint projects.

Franz Wiemker, regional sales manager at Carl Hirschmann said: “The Technology Day offered an excellent opportunity to talk directly with users and industry experts. The open exchange about challenges and solutions relating to rotary tables and clamping systems was particularly valuable for us.”

Special thanks go to organiser KB Peter Kesterke GmbH for the excellent organisation and successful execution of the Technology Day. The event once again demonstrated the importance of regional technology events in Berlin-Brandenburg for innovation, knowledge transfer and networking in mechanical engineering.

Carl Hirschmann GmbH now looks forward to continuing the discussions it has started with customers, partners and interested parties.

More information www.carlhirschmann.de/en

Magnetic clamp has force display and interchangeable poles

Roemheld’s recently released R-MAG magnetic clamping system has already received strong feedback from users in plastics processing and sheet metal forming, reflecting demand for faster, more reliable die changeovers. The electro-permanent system combines a low plate thickness with features rarely seen together on the market, including an integrated clamping force indicator and replaceable magnetic poles, both developed in response to user requirements.

Designed to clamp dies of varying sizes and geometries automatically and without distortion, R-MAG delivers a uniform magnetic surface that distributes clamping forces evenly. This capability ensures secure holding, even in the event of a power failure, while removing the need for die standardisation. A modern 8-inch colour touchscreen with remote maintenance capability via VPN or Wi-Fi further supports ease of use and system oversight.

Process reliability is enhanced through an optional clamping force display and a suite of integrated sensors, including temperature, position and flux monitoring. Together, these provide continuous system feedback, helping to maintain consistent performance and secure die clamping during operation.

Maintenance has also been simplified. Replaceable magnetic poles allow on-site servicing without taking the entire system offline, reducing downtime and improving overall equipment availability.

Suitable for injection moulding machines and sheet metal forming presses, R-MAG systems are typically designed for plate thicknesses of 55 mm and operating temperatures up to 150°C, with a slimmer 38 mm option available for smaller machines. Systems are configured to customer specifications.

“In a recent project, the customer reduced changeover times and improved process stability without standardising dies,” says Benedikt Niklas, area manager at Roemheld. “The combination of high clamping force, low profile and maintenance-friendly design is proving particularly valuable.”

More information www.roemheld.co.uk