EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Manufacturers lose a month a year awaiting decisions

UK manufacturing businesses are losing the equivalent of a full working month each year because decisions take too long, according to new research commissioned by The Meetings Show. The findings come from the UK Productivity Gap Index, a new study based on a survey of 1000 UK business leaders. Conducted in partnership with The Business of Events, it reveals how everyday collaboration challenges are quietly slowing organisations down. The research will be explored further in a fascinating session at The Meetings Show at the Excel, London on 24-25 June 2026.

More information www.themeetingsshow.com

MACH Machine Tools secures 11 orders at MACH

MACH Machine Tools put on a show to remember at last month’s MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham. Over 1000 visitors attended the company’s stand over the five days of the show, resulting in 11 machine orders, comprising eight new and three preowned models.

Said Dave Andrew, managing director of The Vigilance Group, of which MACH Machine Tools is part: “MACH, although it only comes around every two years, is a big investment for us, so it’s important that we optimise our attendance by making sure we get the balance of technologies right and relevant. All the feedback we received, during and after the event, confirmed that we achieved these objectives.”

More information www.machinetoolsalesonline.com

Greenfields energises Brandauer’s expansion plan

Securing a cost-effective energy agreement has helped one of Birmingham’s oldest-established manufacturers reinvest in delivering precision components for the automotive, construction, electrification and medical sectors. Metal stamping specialist Brandauer has tapped into expert advice from Greenfields Energy to move to a fixed contract on electricity and a cheaper agreement for gas that has generated over £50,000 in savings.

The savings have immediately been channelled into an automated assembly line and enhancing Brandauer’s wire EDM capability. Liam Conway, co-founder of Greenfields Energy Group, says: “Brandauer can now plan for expansion with real certainty that there will be no nasty energy surprises, investing more in technology and recruiting the next generation of precision engineers.”

More information www.greenfieldsenergygroup.co.uk

NMITE’s graduation success story continues

Earlier this month at Hereford Cathedral, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) celebrated the achievements of its second cohort of 20 students, who graduated with either a BEng (Hons) or MEng (Hons) Integrated Engineering degree. NMITE says its innovative, hands-on learning model has produced this new group of work-ready engineers, who are set to become the next generation of change-makers. Since last year, applications to study at NMITE have increased by 38% and of the offers already made to students, NMITE has seen a 54% increase in firm acceptances.

More information www.nmite.ac.uk

26,000 attend MACH 2026

MACH 2026 organiser, the Manufacturing Technologies Association MTA, has revealed the UK’s national event for inspiring, innovating and connecting manufacturing attracted around 26,000 visitors across five days in Birmingham last month. Day three (Wednesday) was officially recognised as the event’s busiest day. MACH, which will next take place on 3-7 April 2028, welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on the Thursday.

James Selka, CEO of the MTA, said: “Our core focus was to ensure this year’s show guided and supported manufacturers in navigating challenges such as rising operational costs, skills shortages, supply chain disruption and geopolitical uncertainty. I believe we achieved that, and more, with 26,000 attendees seeking ways to remain competitive in the current challenging and uncertain environment in which we operate.”

More information www.machexhibition.com