EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

UK’s top young innovators wow Parliament

The UK’s top young STEM innovators and finalists in ‘The Big Bang Competition’ were invited to Westminster recently as part of EngineeringUK’s annual ‘Big Bang at Parliament’ event, where they met MPs and showcased their impressive projects. A total of 20 students from eight schools across the country attended the event, which celebrates young people’s creativity and innovation in STEM. They were joined by parliamentarians, guests from the engineering and technology community, and Siemens, which supports the event. Entries to The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition 2026 are now open.

More information www.thebigbang.org.uk

Doncasters investing $52m in German plant

Doncasters, an international manufacturer of high-precision alloy components made for the most demanding conditions, will invest $52m in its Bochum, Germany site, representing one of the most significant capital programmes in the company’s history. Doncasters says the three-year initiative will establish Bochum as one of the world’s most advanced facilities with the capability of producing the most complex large industrial gas turbine castings in production today, while also supporting capacity growth and long-term development. Work has already commenced inside the factory to prepare for new state-of-the-art equipment.

More information www.doncasters.com

EMO show to remain in Hanover

EMO, the world’s leading trade fair for production technology, is set to remain in Hanover following rumours about a potential move elsewhere in Germany. Says EMO general commissioner Carl Martin Welcker: “We were convinced by the commitment of the Lower Saxon policymakers to develop the structural and technical infrastructure of the exhibition centre on an ongoing basis over the coming years.”

In consultation with European association Cecimo, owner of the EMO brand, and with Italian sister association Ucimu, organizer of the EMO in Milan, the VDW has agreed the locations of the EMO cycle until 2031. The trade fair will take place in Milan in 2027, Hanover in 2029 and Milan again in 2031. “After that, we’ll return to the tried and tested cycle,” confirms Welcker. 

More information https://emo-hannover.de/en

Kyocera SGS to relocate European HQ

Kyocera SGS Precision Tools Europe (KSPTE) is relocating its European Headquarters from Wokingham, Berkshire, to the Kyocera Unimerco facility in Fradley, Staffordshire. The move will strengthen Kyocera’s European manufacturing and R&D capabilities, enhance operational efficiency, and reinforce the company’s commitment to providing value and service to customers across the region.

The relocation will create Kyocera’s largest carbide tool manufacturing site in Europe, establishing Fradley as the new European base for KSPTE. Customer benefits include centralised logistics, expanded R&D facilities, increased production capacity and lifecycle tooling support. Both KSPTE and Kyocera Unimerco will continue to operate independently while sharing infrastructure, technical collaboration and operational efficiencies.

More information https://kyocera-sgstool.co.uk

Policy centre to champion SME manufacturers 

A new independent policy centre has been established to give the UK’s vast network of SMEs in manufacturing and engineering a unified, influential voice in the corridors of power. More than 325,000 SMEs, in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, often supply chain businesses, are the backbone of the UK economy, driving innovation, job creation and growth. The centre’s mission is to engage SMEs directly, to unify and amplify their voices as an independent arbiter that brings together industry, industry bodies, policy organisations and government.  

More information https://enginuity.org/