EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Nasmyth Group acquired by Sigma Advanced

Nasmyth Group – a provider of precision engineering services to the aerospace, defence and related industries – has been acquired by Sigma Advanced Systems, a global manufacturer and service provider of advanced defence systems and security solutions. The acquisition marks an important milestone in Nasmyth’s evolution, providing a foundation for continued innovation, expanded capacity and the delivery of engineering solutions to customers worldwide. Sigma’s proven track record in design and manufacturing will bring strategic insight and financial strength to support Nasmyth’s next growth phase.

More information www.nasmyth.com

CBM calls on Government for energy support

Manufacturers are facing an ‘energy apocalypse’ as recent non-commodity changes and a new stealth tax have added millions to crippling bills. That is the stark message from the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM), which is calling on the Government to do something for the many, rather than just a few larger high-intensity energy businesses.

Leaders at SME manufacturers have reached the end of their tether trying to compete globally while facing extortionate prices for gas and electricity exacerbated by the amount of taxes and levies that form parts of the bill. CBM members have already come forward to explain what this means on the shop floor, with many expecting rises of 10-30% in the cost of energy over the next six months. In some cases, this equates to an extra £1m of charges.

More information www.thecbm.co.uk

ASG Group director appointed to NMC

ASG Group reports that Mandy Ridyard, director of ASG Produmax, has been appointed to the National Manufacturing Commission (NMC) as part of its newly launched inquiry into how the Government’s Industrial Strategy can best support UK SME manufacturers. The NMC, the research arm of the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group, plays a vital role in shaping policy recommendations that strengthen UK manufacturing.

She says: “SMEs are the lifeblood of UK manufacturing and play a crucial role in creating innovation, resilience and jobs across our regions. I’m honoured to join the NMC at such a pivotal time, ensuring the voice of SME manufacturers is heard loud and clear as the Industrial Strategy takes shape.”

More information www.asg-group.co

Iscar to sponsor E&D Zone at MACH

Global tooling specialist Iscar Tools will give its support to the Education and Development (E&D) Zone at the MACH 2026 exhibition (Birmingham NEC, 202-4 April) by taking on the role of headline sponsor. The move demonstrates the company’s commitment to attracting the next generation of engineers into the advanced manufacturing sector. The E&D Zone is the educational hub at MACH 2026 for students keen to explore what manufacturing can offer them as a future career and help them find their ‘pathway to engineering’. A lynchpin of the E&D Zone is the guided tours of the exhibition by apprentices.

More information www.machexhibition.com

End-of-Year Open House at Hurco

Hurco’s annual end-of-year open house exhibition will be held this year at its High Wycombe showroom on 2 and 3 December 2025, from 08:30 to 16:30 each day. Lunch will be provided, as well as refreshments throughout the event. In addition to a showroom full of new Hurco CNC machine tools under power and cutting metal, there is the added attraction of up to 19 primary Hurco suppliers in attendance.

Taking centre stage this year will be four different five-axis machining centre configurations, allowing visitors to compare the benefits and limitations of each option: a three-axis VMX60Ti  with Kitagawa TT182 rotary-tilt table; the cantilever-design VC500i; the swivel-head VMX42SRTi; and a VMX30Ui trunnion machine fully automated with a Hurco ProCobot ProFeeder-X, 10-drawer, heavy-duty system.

Register at www.hurco.com