EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Catalyst for high-growth industrial ecosystem

AMRC Cymru and Wrexham Leadership Alliance have forged a new partnership to drive innovation and investment across north Wales, signing a strategic MoU to bolster the region’s manufacturing economy. By combining world-class research and development capabilities with local business leadership, the partnership aims to accelerate innovation and skills development, and secure long-term growth for regional businesses.

Crucially, the collaboration aligns with the ambitions of the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone — a £160mgovernment-backed initiative designed to act as a lightning rod for advanced manufacturing — which is expected to attract a forecast of £1bn of private investment and 6000 new jobs to the region over the next decade. AMRC Cymru, based in Broughton, is part of the University of Sheffield AMRC innovation cluster.

More information www.amrc.co.uk

GKN Automotive wins EcoVadis Platinum rating

GKN Automotive, a global specialist in drive systems, has been awarded an EcoVadis Platinum rating for sustainability, achieving a 100/100 score in six of seven environmental categories. The new rating is the highest possible ranking from the EcoVadis, and places GKN Automotive in the top 1% of 150,000 participating companies globally. The recognition highlights the organisation’s continuous improvements in sustainability, rising from a Bronze to a Platinum rating in just four years. GKN Automotive also achieved a 30% reduction in its total direct CO2e emissions (Scope 1 &2) versus the previous year.

More information www.gknautomotive.com

Kingsbury to offer ATLIX metal AM machines

CNC machine tool supplier Kingsbury, additive manufacturing specialist Additure, and newly independent 3D metal printing brand ATLIX (formerly Trumpf Additive Manufacturing), have entered into a strategic alliance that will position Kingsbury as the exclusive dealer of ATLIX machines and services in the UK, Ireland and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region.

From January 2026, Kingsbury’s additive manufacturing arm, Additure, will take on full responsibility for the sales, installation, service and aftermarket support of ATLIX’s industrial 3D metal printers in the named territories. ATLIX’s new flagship system, the TruPrint 5000, offers large-format, automated metal 3D printing production. Customers can also access bundled offerings, including machine purchase/leasing, and process support and validation.

More information www.kingsburyuk.com

SYOS buys Bay Dynamics

SYOS Aerospace, a manufacturer of land, sea and air drones, has acquired underwater robotics specialist Bay Dynamics. This strategic move by SYOS will add autonomous sub-surface technology to its product range and expand its pipeline for future innovation and growth. SYOS is a joint UK-New Zealand manufacturer of uncrewed vehicles for the defence and civilian sectors. In April it announced a £30m defence contract with the UK government. SYOS CEO and founder Sam Vye says: “Subsurface capability is the next frontier and this deal brings us closer to delivering the full spectrum of uncrewed operations.”

More information www.syos-aerospace.com

Affordable apprenticeships

Enginuity, a UK skills body dedicated to closing the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing, is urging the Government to take decisive steps in the Budget later this week to restore the affordability of apprenticeships. Recent years have seen a major decline in apprenticeship starts, with 170,000 fewer places available in 2024 than in 2014. Enginuity wants policymakers to review employment costs and ensure that SMEs can continue investing in talent and training. Only by prioritising apprenticeships will it be possible to secure the future of industry and provide meaningful opportunities for young people.

More information www.enginuity.org