Positive investment for precision subcontractor

Mills CNChas recently supplied NextGen Precision, a precision subcontract specialist based in Blackburn, with a new high-performance three-axis vertical machining centre.The machine, a fourth-generation DNM 5700 from DN Solutions equipped with Siemens 828D control, was installed at NextGen’s machine shop in July 2025. It is the first machine tool acquired from Mills CNC in the company’s 44-year history.

NextGen Precision is a successful family-owned business that employs five members of staff.

The company is committed to continuous improvement and, as such, regularly invests in its people, plant and machinery.NextGen is currently undergoing a strategic review and revamp of its machine shop in order to strengthen the company’s supply chain relationships and facilitate organic growth opportunities with existing customers in the highly-regulated aerospace, security and nuclear sectors. The business is also looking to win business from new customers.

In spring 2025, a new customer operating in the security sector approached NextGen Precision to discuss its requirements for high-precision components supplied in volumes up to 2500 per month.

Says Stephen Fairbrother, NextGen Precision’s co-owner and director:“Although the new business was clearly welcome, we could see the quantities involved would put our existing machining capacity and capabilities under pressure.As a result, we made the decision to invest in a new high-performance machining centre and run it in tandem with one of ourexisting machines.”

Says Mark Fairbrother, Stephen’s brother and fellow co-owner and director:“Before we approached the market to talk to individual machine tool suppliers, we drew up a detailed checklist for the new machine.”

The checklist included the following ‘must have’ features: a rigid design and construction; a powerful, high-torque, directly-coupled spindle; a good-sized worktable; and a generously sized and fast tool changer.

After reviewing suitable machines, NextGen Precision visited Mills CNC’s facility in Leamington where it was introduced to the fourth-generation DNM 5700.

“We liked and valued their approach,” says Stephen. “Not only could they ‘customise’ the DNM 5700 to meet our requirements, they could also arrange a flexible finance solution install the machine from stock in double-quick time.”

He concludes: “We’re delighted with our newDNM 5700, which is fast, accurate and flexible.We’ve also developed a great working relationship with Mills CNC.”

More information www.millscnc.co.uk

£7m for tidal turbine tech

Orbital Marine Power, the Scotland-based operator of the world’s most powerful tidal turbine, has secured a multi-million pound investment to advance its international commercial projects and contribute to the wider decarbonisation of energy.The investment follows a major vote of confidence from Canada, where the Province of Nova Scotia recently awarded Orbital and Eauclaire Tidal significant new tidal energy licences through the province’s 2025 procurement process.Orbital harnesses tidal energy along the UK coast, from Orkney to the Isle of Wight, sourcing its materials and manufacturing domestically.

More information www.orbitalmarine.com

Supplychain resilience

Digital Catapult has named five start-ups that will join its accelerator programme to improve industrial supply chain resilience in the defence industry and drive the practical application of deep-tech innovation. Dataline Labs, CamyPro and Technia will work to address the Technical Data Packs (TDP)-Digital Inventory Connectors challenge, developing software solutions to extract and standardise metadata from PLM systems, whileVistory Group and Quaisr will tackle the Federated Digital Inventory challenge to develop a unified, permissioned platform to view and share technical data across the entire supply chain. 

More information www.digitalcatapult.org.uk

Shepley Spring boosts efficiency and safety

Huddersfield-based Shepley Spring has transformed efficiency and improved safety with the support of improved factory access. The company appointed Tadweld, an expert UK steelwork and safe access supplier, to complete a series of bespoke solutions and structural steel modifications that included staircases, platforms and conveyor crossovers at its 16,000 sqft factory.Tadweld addressed complex challenges,such as operating in highly confined and irregular spaces, and adapting existing structure to include cutting and relocating overhanging steel supports to accommodate new platforms.

More information www.tadweld.co.uk

Metrology giant names president of global sales

Metrology specialist Optical Gaging Products (OGP) has appointed Panos Angelopoulos as president ofglobal sales, succeeding R. Stephen Flynn, who is retiring after 31 years with the company. Angelopoulos brings to OGP over three decades of experience in executive leadership roles within industrial and commercial manufacturing. He begins his tenure with OGP at a pivotal time in the company’s 80-year history, as OGP’s tradition of technological advancements continues with the next evolution of its SmartScope 3D multi-sensor dimensional measuring machine featuring the patented IntelliCentric-M optical system.

More information www.ogpnet.com