EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Adi Group appointment

Engineering solutions specialist, Adi Group, has appointed Steve Appleton as group growth director. Appleton brings more than 25 years of experience in sales and business restructuring. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening collaboration across Adi Group’s specialist divisions to deliver more integrated engineering solutions for clients. Beginning his career at Ford Motor Company, Appleton’s experience includes roles across highly regulated sectors such as life sciences, healthcare, petrochemical, government, education, transport and retail.

More information https://adiltd.co.uk/

Hugely positive MACH for Open Mind Technologies

CADCAM developer Open Mind Technologies reports it made a compelling impression at the recent MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham, attracting a steady stream of visitors throughout the event. Said Ken Baldwin, managing director: “The footfall at our stand was excellent and, more importantly, the conversations we had were of a very high calibre. We spoke with manufacturers across a wide range of sectors who are genuinely looking to accelerate their digital integration journey. Within our hyperMILL ecosystem, we have all the tools needed to help them drive genuine momentum.”

More information www.openmind-tech.com 

Duncan & Toplis names new head of manufacturing

Audit, accountancy and business advice specialist Duncan & Toplis has appointed Charles Burrell, previously the company’s Assurance Director, as its new head of manufacturing, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to supporting one of the Midlands’ most important industries. Charles succeeds Julie Chapman, who is stepping down from the role after two years. The appointment of Charles, forms part of Duncan & Toplis’ wider growth strategy as part of Kinbrook Group, which continues to invest in sector expertise, regional expansion and specialist advisory services across the UK.

More information www.duncantoplis.co.uk

Hurco secures orders worth £1.5m+ on MACH stand

According to David Waghorn, Managing Director of Hurco Europe, the recent MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham generated outstanding results for the company. There were huge positives in terms of the quality of enquiries for new machines and the volume of business done on the stand. Taking all these factors into account, the show was significantly more successful for Hurco than two years ago.

“The outcome from a MACH show is always difficult to assess,” said Waghorn. “It can be as much as two years later that an enquiry results in a machine purchase. However, based on orders in excess of £1.5m taken on the stand, plus more than 200 quotations we’re preparing following enquiries at the exhibition, it’s assured that Hurco will be returning for MACH 2028 with a similar presence.”

More information www.hurco.com/gb

‘Grinder of the Year’ winner named

Fabio Schoppet was the delighted winner of the two-day live ‘Grinder of the Year’ competition held last month at the GrindingHub exhibition in Stuttgart. The 28-year-old apprentice from KH Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH won against Max Bergner (2nd place), Laurin Mink (3rd) and Arman Hamidi (4th). All finalists received training vouchers worth between 3000 and 500 euros.

“The competition was a challenge,” says Schoppet, “but it was really fun and a very cool experience. I made a lot of great contacts and had some enjoyable conversations. When I realised that I was the winner, I was pretty overwhelmed. It was an absolute highlight.” After completing his apprenticeship, Schoppet wants to use his 3000 euro voucher to finance a course at an engineering school.

More information www.grindinghub.de/en