Kuka names new CEO

Christoph Schell has been appointed as the CEO of robot specialist Kuka. On 1 July, the current technology manager and CCO of Intel will succeed Peter Mohnen, who is leaving the company at his own request. Schell has already been a member of the Kuka Supervisory Board and chairman of the Board’s Strategy and Technology Committee since the beginning of 2023. He is therefore already familiar with the company and its global business. He says: “Kuka’s growth prospects will change the world of work and daily life through the interplay of robotics, automation and AI. It’s an honour for me to drive this forward.”

More information www.kuka.com

Amazon delivers artistry in engineering 

Grace Peckett, a mechatronics apprentice at Amazon, has been announced as the winner of this year’s Enginuity Skills Awards Trophy Design Competition. Part of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) Training Apprenticeship Programme, Peckett’s design will be manufactured by automation specialist FANUC and presented to winners at the Enginuity Skills Awards 2025 in July. The MTC and FANUC, both supporters of the Enginuity Skills Awards 2025, partnered with Enginuity to run this trophy design competition, which invites UK apprentices to create a trophy that reflects the spirit of modern engineering. 

More information https://enginuity.org/skills-awards-2025 

Dugard strengthens team in Scotland

Machine tool supplier Dugard has strengthened its team with the recruitment of David Morning as area sales manager for Scotland and the northeast of England. Dugard says it has experienced significant growth north of the border in recent years, and this appointment will further enhance the presence of its diverse portfolio of machine tool brands. “I have operated, serviced and specified Dugard machines in previous roles,” says Morning. “I’m excited about the opportunity ahead. Dugard has a full range of machine tool brands complemented by extensive automation solutions.”

More information www.dugard.com

New UK representative for Amada saws

Effective from 8 May 2025, Amada sawing machines, blades, spares and service will be available exclusively in the UK from Amada UK Ltd. The previous UK representative for these products, Accurate Cutting Services, has ceased its distribution commitments. The mutually agreed new arrangement is due to the projected growth of core Amada products, alongside a shift in strategy at Accurate Cutting Services, which wishes to focus on subcontract sawing.

Amada UK and Accurate Cutting are currently working to ensure a smooth transition. During this period, customers can continue placing orders through Accurate Cutting, but Amada UK will undertake fulfilment. In the short term, nothing will change. Customers can expect the same prices, shipping, delivery, customer support and warranties.

More information www.amada.eu/uk-en

Subcontract market rebounds in Q1

The latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) shows that the subcontract market bounced back in the first quarter of 2025 – up almost 50% on Q1 2024. January was particularly strong, some 200% higher than what had been a quiet December, while the market at the end of March was higher than the average for the final quarter of last year.

The CMI for Q1 2025 was 64 compared with 42.5 for the previous quarter and 82 in Q1 2024. Within the overall figure, machining accounted for 42% of the market, while fabrication was 44%.  The largest single sector remains industrial machinery, which has led the pack for more than three and half years. Lead times dropped when the market was busy but increased when there was less activity.

More information www.qimtek.co.uk