EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

New Bridgnorth Aluminium GM Targets Business Growth

One of Bridgnorth’s largest employers has appointed a new general manager to lead the next stage of its expansion. Ilias Avgerinos is already looking to build on a transformational two years that has seen the business return to 24/7 production and capitalise on new investments in the cast house and finishing lines. The experienced industrialist, who has held several senior roles at parent company Viohalco Group, believes there are significant opportunities for growth in North America and new territories, while also feeling the domestic market offers plenty of untapped potential. 

More information www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk  

Join the Automation in Action UK Roadshow this Month

Manufacturing teams are under pressure to improve productivity, maintain quality and do more with fewer resources. Join Universal Robots and its technology partners on 29 September (09:30-14:30) at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, Surrey, to see how industrial collaborative robots are helping manufacturers solve real production challenges. Visitors will experience live automation demonstrations, including industrial collaborative robots in action across machine tending, packaging, food handling and screwdriving applications. Leading partners will include Schunk, Piab, OnRobot, Sick and RobotIQ. 

More information www.tinyurl.com/527ah2sk 

70 Apprentices and Graduates to Join British Steel

Some 70 new apprentices and graduates will join British Steel this month as the company continues to build the next generation of steelmakers. In Scunthorpe, 36 electrical, mechanical and structural apprentices will launch their careers, joined by 17 apprentices in similar roles for British Steel’s Northern mills in Teesside and Skinningrove, and one at the company’s R&D centre in Sheffield. 

At the same time, 16 graduates will join British Steel, the first to do so since 2022 following this year’s relaunch of the company’s graduate recruitment programme. British Steel, which was nationalised by the UK Government in July, received more than 1000 applications when the roles were advertised earlier this year. The successful candidates have come through a robust vetting process including a series of assessment centres. 

More information www.britishsteel.co.uk

Wohlhaupter Acquires KOMflex Technology

Wohlhaupter GmbH, part of Allied Machine, is acquiring the KOMflex technology from Ceratizit as part of a technology transfer. Going forward, Wohlhaupter will further develop the KOMflex solution, integrate it into its own product portfolio, and assume future support and marketing for existing customers. Official product availability through Wohlhaupter is scheduled to begin on 14 September 2026.  

The new product will be unveiled to the public at the AMB trade show in Stuttgart and the IMTS trade show in Chicago. KOMflex is an automatically adjustable fine-boring head designed to compensate for cutting-edge wear with high precision. The technology supports reliable, stable fine-boring operations and complements Wohlhaupter’s existing range of digital fine-boring tools.  

More information www.alliedmachine.com 

Made Smarter Expands Team With Four Wew Specialists

Made Smarter is bolstering its northwest team with four new specialists as SME manufacturers accelerate investment in technology and skills. Mike Richards-Brown and Tabs Khojani will help firms find practical ways to digitalise their operations, while Jane Duffy and Mike Connolly will help businesses develop the leadership needed to deliver change. Together they bring decades of experience from some of the region’s leading manufacturing, technology and business support organisations. Launched in 2019, Made Smarter North West has engaged with 2500 manufacturers and provided £8.3m in funding. 

More information http://madesmarter.uk