EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Bowers & Jones demonstrate green credentials

Bowers & Jones has achieved ISO 14001 accreditation, which is presented to organisations with effective management systems and processes in place to reduce their environmental footprint. Bowers & Jones managing director Jane Sommerville says: “Serving customers for 70 years, we recognise our duty to minimise our environmental impact while continuing to deliver the high-quality roll tooling and rolling mill products our customers depend on. This certification demonstrates the environmental management systems we have implemented and reflects our dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices.”

More information www.bowersjones.com

Formnext Asia Shenzhen Visitors Soar By 78%

Formnext Asia Shenzhen, South China’s leading trade fair for additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, concluded its 2025 edition with a record-breaking 78% growth in visitor attendance (20,175). The show floor reflected a strong sense of optimism in China’s AM market, with visitors ranging from senior decision makers to first-time AM adopters, praising the event’s rising prominence as an industry hub for Asia’s manufacturing sectors. This was matched by increasing attention from the global AM community, with international attendance up by 158%, more than doubling for the second consecutive year.

More information www.formnext-shenzhen.com

GE Aerospace awards major contract to Barnes

GE Aerospace has awarded a six-year contract to Barnes Aerospace for the manufacture of components required by the T700/CT7 family of engines. This partnership will support the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review ambitions for resilient supply chains and a thriving industrial base.

As part of the deal, Barnes Aerospace will produce T700/CT7 aerofoils at its Newton Abbot facility, critical components that enable the engine’s performance and reliability. This work builds on a trusted partnership between GE Aerospace and Barnes Aerospace that spans more than 30 years, underscoring the strength of their collaboration and shared commitment to delivering high-quality aerospace solutions.

More information www.geaerospace.com

Recruitment Drive at Bridgnorth Aluminium

One of Shropshire’s largest employers headed to the UK Metals Expo last week to launch its next recruitment drive. Bridgnorth Aluminium (BAL), which is Britain’s only fully integrated producer of flat rolled aluminium coils, is looking to fill 10 positions at its site in Bridgnorth and believes the biggest event in UK metals was the perfect place to raise awareness of a career in this sector.

The company took its largest ever presence at the show, where it also sought to champion the role of aluminium as a critical material for sectors such as aerospace, automotive, defence and energy. Bosses at the firm want it to have the same standing and political attention as steel, especially considering aluminium is an infinitely recyclable metal and one suited to achieving a true circular economy.

More information www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

Pre-Apprenticeship Scheme Reaches Milestone

Multi-disciplinary firm adi Group is celebrating the beginning of another year of its pre-apprenticeship scheme, which has successfully helped a number of young people embark on a rewarding engineering career. Founder Alan Lusty launched the scheme in 2016 with the ambition to transform the future of engineering and help resolve issues around youth skills development in the STEM sector. Amid a concerning lack of vocational opportunities for young people to develop an interest in and a knowledge of engineering, adi Group today offers a highly effective path into the industry for students as young as 14.

More information www.adiltd.co.uk