Sarah Champion MP visits Productive Machines

Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, visited the offices of Productive Machines recently to learn about the company’s transformative impact on UK manufacturing. During her visit, she had the opportunity to experience first-hand the capabilities of Productive Machines’ flagship product, SenseNC, an autonomous milling optimisation software. The visit included a demonstration of the company’s ‘tap testing’ process, which is said to optimise machining operations and eliminate costly inefficiencies. Alex Cotton from AML Sheffield, an aerospace manufacturer and key customer of Productive Machines, also supported the visit.

More information www.productivemachines.co.uk

Bridge Engineers Set to Fast Track Growth

A company that has helped deliver some of the UK’s most high-profile bridge infrastructure projects has raised almost £1.4m in debt funding to support its further growth. The funding for EKSPAN is the largest loan to date from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance. The Sheffield-based business now plans to expand its capabilities and increase turnover by 50% in the next three years.

Max Angerer, managing director of EKSPAN, says: “This support from NPIF II will allow us to accelerate our growth plans, expand our capabilities here in Sheffield and strengthen our position as the leading independent bridge engineering specialist in the north. Our goal is to increase turnover and continue delivering some of the UK’s most challenging and innovative bridge projects.”

More information www.mercia.co.uk

Over 900 Exhibitors Confirmed for BIEMH

With seven months to go, more than 900 exhibiting companies have already confirmed their participation in the 33rd edition of the BIEMH international machine tool exhibition, where they will showcase advanced technology and present cutting-edge innovations in manufacturing. From 2 to 6 March 2026, Bilbao Exhibition Centre will host this major industry event.

As a benchmark event in advanced manufacturing, BIEMH 2026 will feature a specific area devoted to automation, robotics and digitalisation, key sectors for driving industrial efficiency, flexibility and competitiveness. Following their prominent role in the last edition, these technologies will once again occupy a prominent place in this year’s show, within a specific area that will bring together the latest applied solutions.

More information www.bit.ly/45a67cW

FANUC Secures Top 1% Sustainability Ranking

FANUC Corporation has received a ‘Platinum’ rating for sustainability by EcoVadis, placing it in the top 1% of over 150,000 companies assessed globally. Achieving a score of 82/100, the recognition reflects FANUC’s commitment to responsible business conduct and sustainable innovation. EcoVadis, a global sustainability ratings platform, conducts its assessments using internationally recognised standards, including the United Nations Global Compact, ILO conventions and ISO 26000. It evaluates organisations across four key performance areas: environment; labour and human rights; ethics; and sustainable procurement.

More information www.fanuc.eu

£100,000 robotics investment at Wallwork

In a £100,000 investment, Wallwork Group has introduced a UR collaborative robot (cobot)  to its vacuum brazing line in Cambridge. The move will make high-volume brazed components a commercially viable option for many manufacturers. With its 12.5 kg payload and  1300 mm reach, the cobot has the ability to learn as it goes along via a continuous improvement process.

“Cost-effective, high-volume vacuum-brazed components have been out of reach until now, largely due to the amount of assembly and labour time required,” explains group director Simeon Collins. “This investment brings the advantages of vacuum brazing to components that were previously uneconomic to process. It also means we can develop the quality of customer products.”

More information www.bit.ly/46RE7vU