EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Manufacturing optimism at 17-month high

The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to a 17-month high of 51.8 in January, up from 50.6 in December. The PMI has now signalled growth for three consecutive months. Three of the five PMI components were at levels indicating an improvement in overall operating conditions (new orders, output and supplier delivery times). January also saw production rise for the fourth consecutive month and at the joint-quickest pace since September 2024. Higher output was linked to improved export sales, a generally stable domestic market and a boost from customer restocking.

More information www.pmi.spglobal.com

Positive year for subcontract market

The UK subcontract manufacturing market had a positive year in 2025, up 47% on 2024, according to the latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) figures. The automotive industry was the largest customer and accounted for nearly a third of the market. It proved a strong contributor to the health of the subcontract sector despite the effects of the JLR cyber-attack.

Qimtek owner Karl Wigart says: “It’s quite clear that 2025 was a better year overall than 2024. Activity by buyers has been steady and we broke the record for the number of parts quoted – just under 20 million components for the year. However, we feel suppliers remain cautious. They were badly affected by the uncertainty of the late budget and the shutdown of JLR. Suppliers are proving fussy on which jobs they are quoting for and careful with how they are spending their money.”

More information www.qimtek.co.uk

Next Phase For LSIC

The NCC, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and the University of Bristol, has confirmed that the Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC) will be located on the Isle of Wight. The LSIC will be an open-access national facility to support the development, demonstration and industrialisation of large, high-performance structures across multiple sectors, with an initial focus on wind energy. It will equip industry with end-to-end innovation capabilities, supporting progress from concept through to end-of-life. NCC has announced Vestas as the LSIC’s launch partner.

More information www.nccuk.com

New director for MAPAL

Mark Lich is now director of global key account management at cutting tool manufacturer MAPAL, taking over leadership of a newly established department of the same name. He reports directly to the chief sales officer Claudio Gabos. Lich joined the company at the end of 2013 and has experience in various sales positions at MAPAL. Since January 2023, he has headed the company’s sales management office, which is responsible for steering and supporting global growth and efficiency goals within strategic sales management. Lich will continue to fulfil this role alongside his other responsibilities.

More information www.mapal.com

Stratasys launches post-processing partnerships

3D printer manufacturer Stratasys has launched its Post Processing Partnership Programme, an initiative that simplifies how customers access validated post-processing solutions as part of complete, end-to-end additive manufacturing workflows. Stratasys has also named its first participant in the programme, PostProcess Technologies. Under the commercial agreement, Stratasys will offer validated post-processing solutions from PostProcess Technologies through its global sales channels, enabling customers to purchase post-processing equipment under a single Stratasys PO alongside their Stratasys systems.

More information www.bit.ly/4tuU18z