EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Making Digital Leaps With ISO STEP Standards

Sandvik Coromant has participated in a successful research project for the Standard for the Exchange of Product (STEP) data. Together with GKN Aerospace Engine Systems, Chalmers University of Technology and Fraunhofer Chalmers Research Centre for Industrial Mathematics, the working group has developed a collaboration environment and applied it to the MRO process for complex metal parts. The results demonstrate how ISO standards for digital manufacturing offer a foundation for interoperable, model-based data exchange and execution across the entire repair value chain.

More information www.tinyurl.com/muez8r9t

Quadruple Royal Recognition For Skills Charity

Skills charity Enginuity, the former Sector Skills Council for engineering and manufacturing (SEMTA), has received a quadruple accolade from His Majesty King Charles, marking the importance of its work. CEO Ann Watson and trustee of the board Alexia Williams have been awarded with MBEs in His Majesty’s birthday honours, for services relating to skilling the engineering and manufacturing sector. Deputy chair Dr Ian Ritchey has been awarded an OBE. In addition, Enginuity chair Sir Jim McDonald had been appointed to the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, the highest honour from the monarch.

More information www.enginuity.org

Anochrome acquired by its management team

Private equity firm Endless LLP has supported a management buyout of the Anochrome Group, a UK-headquartered surface finishing and coatings specialist. Anochrome, which has its headquarters in Wolverhampton, has been trading for over 80 years, providing surface coatings, corrosion protection and thread-locking sealants services to a diverse customer base across a range of sectors, including automotive, construction, industrial fixings, motor sports and renewables.

Anochrome operates from sites in the UK, Poland and Czechia. The transaction represents a transition from long-standing family ownership and the start of a new phase for the business. Endless’ investment will support Anochrome’s next stage of development and growth. The business will continue to be led by its existing senior management team, headed by Mark Jones.

More information www.anochrome.com

Manchester Best City For Manufacturing Growth

Manchester has been named the UK’s leading city for manufacturing in 2026, according to the Tadweld UK Manufacturing Index, a new study ranking Britain’s manufacturing hotspots based on growth, workforce strength, investment, transport connectivity, property affordability, business support and long-term manufacturer success. The index shows that Manchester tops the rankings with a manufacturing momentum score of 9.1 out of 10.

The city’s position reflects strong manufacturing investment, excellent transport links, a highly skilled engineering workforce, thriving industrial clusters and a proven track record of manufacturers succeeding and expanding over the long term. Manchester was followed closely by Sheffield (9.0), Birmingham and the West Midlands (8.9), and Liverpool (8.8), creating a competitive top tier of manufacturing destinations.

More information www.tinyurl.com/8bcm8kjd

Tungsten Powder Firm Accelerates With Green Hydrogen

Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG, a global specialist in high-quality tungsten powders and Energie Steiermark, a regional energy provider (together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs) have signed a long-term agreement to supply green hydrogen to Wolfra’‘s site in St Martin, Austria. Construction is planned to begin in 2026, with commissioning targeted for late 2027. Wolfram is part of the Sandvik Group, committed to targets in accordance with the SBTi. By switching to green hydrogen, Wolfram can reduce its CO₂ emissions, contributing directly to its strategy and the Sandvik Group’s sustainability targets.

More information www.wolfram.at