HepcoMotion expands

Linear motion component manufacturer HepcoMotion is expanding with the addition of three new sites, increasing its capacity to meet global demand. Located near the company’s headquarters at Tiverton Business Park in Devon, two of the facilities (set to be operational by year-end) will increase the company’s footprint by 25-30%. The third – currently in the planning phase – will provide further capacity to support future growth. Says managing director Peter Fanshawe: “We’re investing in infrastructure that supports innovation and positions us to meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide. ”

More information www.hepcomotion.com

Transforming Lubrication Management

Castrol has introduced ‘Castrol Intelligent Lubrication Solutions’ to help industrial customers prevent costly downtime, optimise lubricant consumption and extend asset life through predictive maintenance intelligence. The initial focus area is providing predictive analysis by leveraging sensor-based technology and IoT platforms for neat oil applications. These capabilities have delivered compelling results in steel and automotive manufacturing, with the company’s innovation roadmap including expanded offerings for metalworking fluids and additional predictive analytics capabilities. 

More information www.bit.ly/3Gaf4sW

Battery materials innovation centre opens

CPI has opened its Advanced Materials Battery Industrialisation Centre (AMBIC) at NETPark in County Durham, a facility designed to accelerate the development and scale-up of new battery materials. Established through a £12m investment from UK Research and Innovation’s Faraday Battery Challenge, funded by Innovate UK, AMBIC is a joint initiative between CPI and WMG at the University of Warwick. CPI chief technologist Dr Keri Goodwin, says: “Whether you’re developing lithium-ion, solid-state or emerging chemistries, our facility gives you the tools and expertise to scale faster - from powder to prototype.”

More information www.uk-cpi.com

13,319 at Smart Manufacturing Week

Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 says it welcomed 13,319 attendees across two action-packed days at the NEC in Birmingham earlier this month. The event combined the latest technology with an extensive educational programme and a vibrant show floor. Adding extra flair were celebrity look-a-likes, movie robots and live music, creating a dynamic atmosphere that celebrated innovation and industry. 

With 456 exhibitors on the show floor, attendees explored hundreds of cutting-edge products and solutions driving the future of industry. Exhibitors enjoyed strong footfall across both days, supported by a steady buzz of conversation and energy. The dates for the Smart Manufacturing Week exhibitions next year have been confirmed as 3-4 June 2026. 

More information https://bit.ly/4kzvXfK

NCMT names new marketing head

With effect from May 2025, Maja Foster will become head of marketing at CNC machine tool supplier NCMT. She brings relevant experience to her new role having formerly headed the marketing function in the UK subsidiary of a global machine tool manufacturer, where she was responsible for publicising the brand across Europe.

“I’m looking forward to strengthening NCMT’s position in the marketplace and championing its capabilities,” she says. “The company is built around satisfying customer demand, which means responsive engineering support, training and lifetime back-up form a core part of the service it delivers. My role is to ensure that all of these strengths are clearly communicated in the context of the machine tool brands we represent.”More information www.ncmt.co.uk