AMRC Names New CEO

Professor Ben Morgan has been appointed as CEO of the University of Sheffield Advanced
Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), following a successful term as interim CEO that
commenced in January 2025. Moving forward, Morgan will continue to build on the AMRC’s

legacy of industrial, economic and regional transformation as it enters its 25th year. Having
begun his career at the AMRC as a project engineer in 2009, he rose to become a senior
robotics engineer and automation projects manager before taking on the senior post of
head of the integrated manufacturing group, leading a team of more than 70 engineers.
More information www.amrc.co.uk

The Blueprint to Boosting UK Robot Adoption

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has released a new whitepaper outlining how
the UK can accelerate the adoption of robotics and autonomous systems to unlock
measurable economic and industrial benefits and strengthen the UK’s productivity. The
report sets out a clear pathway to align regional priorities, accelerate technology adoption
and lay the groundwork for a co-ordinated national action plan.

Entitled ‘Global Robotics Clusters Study: A Blueprint to Accelerate the UK Adoption of
Robotics & Autonomous Systems,’ the whitepaper is about giving businesses a clearer route:
consistent support, access to trusted technology partners and environments where
solutions can be tested before committing to capital. This shift will give organisations the
confidence to adopt robotics, helping to shorten adoption cycles, reduce costs and make
automation a realistic step.

More information www.bit.ly/4tRd0di

Manufacturing Output Grows By £21bn

According to an analysis of ONS data by FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, the value of UK
manufacturing output increased by £21bn in 2025, despite a workforce reduction of over
36,000 people and 2500 fewer manufacturers. Factory output increased by 3.4% to nearly
£639bn in 2025, driven by multi-billion-pound output and productivity gains in aerospace
(£6.7bn) and metal and machinery (£2.6bn).
Chris Iveson, CEO at FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics, says: “To deliver £21bn more in
output is a phenomenal achievement given current workforce challenges and points to a
sector successfully embracing continuous improvement and productivity-enhancing
technology. Put simply, the resurgence of UK manufacturing is down to smart, efficient
production and maximising the output of every machine and every employee.”
More information www.fourjaw.com

New Shrink-Fit System Integrates Heating and Cooling

A new shrink-fit unit featuring inductive heating and air cooling in one workstation for
convenient, high-precision tool holding has been introduced by Kemmler
Präzisionswerkzeuge, whose products are available in the UK and Irish markets under a
recent sole agency agreement with GEWEFA UK. The KSG600 reflects Kemmler’s continued
focus on process reliability, user-oriented design and digital integration in modern
machining environments. 
Shrink-fit technology has long been valued for its ability to deliver both concentricity and
rigidity, as well as extended tool life, but the quality of the result depends heavily on precise
thermal control. Accordingly, with its latest system Kemmler has placed temperature
management at the centre of the process. Designed for carbide and high-speed-steel tools
from 3 to 32 mm in diameter and up to 490 mm long, this next-generation, highly

controllable shrink-fit technology is aimed at manufacturers that demand repeatably
accurate clamping, reduced set-up times and maximum operational safety. 
The KSG600 is designed around a single-touch operating concept, whereby three pre-
programmed, energy-efficient cycles can be activated at the press of a button. It reduces
dependency on the operator and minimises the risk of handling errors. Through WLAN or
Ethernet connectivity, users can access real-time status information, configure individual
parameters and monitor the system remotely, aligning the unit with the requirements of
digitally networked production environments and Industry 4.0 strategies. 
Designed to deliver consistent results irrespective of a user’s skill level or tool-holder type,
the compact unit is equipped with the company’s intelligent SafeControl technology, which
continuously monitors the inductive heating process in real time. By detecting exactly when
the shrink-fit holder has reached its optimal temperature, SafeControl automatically stops
the heating cycle and instigates uniform and controlled temperature reduction in typically
two to three minutes.
More information www.gewefa.co.uk

Expanded options for managing machine tool lifecycle

Fives Machining Systems Inc (FMSI), part of the High Precision Machines Division of Fives and OEM for the Cincinnati and Giddings & Lewis machine tool brands, is entering a strategic partnership with Prestige Equipment Corp, a provider of industrial asset disposition and used machinery solutions.

Building on Fives’ long-standing expertise in new machine tool solutions, OEM-backed parts and service, equipment modernisation, and full lifecycle support, the partnership expands customer options by adding access to high-quality used equipment, global resale channels and professional asset recovery solutions. 

Under the agreement, Prestige Equipment will support Fives customers with strategic surplus machinery sales and full asset disposition programmes; trade-in options to offset new machine investments; certified equipment appraisals and valuations; and access to global used-equipment markets.

Fives will continue supporting Prestige Equipment customers withOEM-backed maintenance, parts and technical service; retrofit and rebuild solutions; new machine tools and turnkey production systems; preventive maintenance and machine health assessments; and equipment relocation services.

Together, the combined offering helps manufacturers better co-ordinate equipment disposition, modernisation and capital investment planning, ultimately creating smoother transitions between surplus asset recovery and upgraded production capabilities. Prestige customers also gain access to Fives’ OEM engineering expertise, global service network and high-precision machine technologies.

“Our customers are focused on maximising uptime, extending asset life and making smart capital investment decisions,” says Wolfgang Neitzke, business development at Fives. “Fives has always supported manufacturers across the full lifecycle of their equipment. This partnership expands the options available for managing and monetising surplus assets while aligning recovery strategies with broader production and investment plans.”

The collaboration is especially beneficial for manufacturers undergoing expansions, consolidations or technology upgrades.

More information www.fivesgroup.com