EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Rapid Fusion Secures First US Deal

UK-based Rapid Fusion is looking to break into America after signing a new reseller
agreement with a US additive manufacturing specialist. The Exeter-based business, which
employs 10 people at its state-of-the-art Skypark demonstration centre, has joined forces
with Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies (PADT) to sell its robotic additive
manufacturing systems to customers in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Bosses at the technology expert believe there are almost £2m worth of opportunities to be
enjoyed in the first year across the western half of the country and have earmarked its
Apollo, Zeus and Medusa solutions as offering significant time and cost savings compared to
existing models. The company will initially target PADT’s existing client base.
More information www.rapidfusion.co.uk

MTA Partners with The Quorum Principle

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and The Quorum Principle have entered
into a strategic partnership that will provide MTA members with enhanced collaborative
capabilities and deliver competitive edge in the global marketplace. Under the partnership
agreement, MTA members will gain access to both the training and consultancy solutions
available from The Quorum Principle.

James Selka, CEO of the MTA, says: “Manufacturing in the UK faces a unique set of
challenges to its ability to compete internationally and remain profitable. The Quorum
Principle’s approach to breaking down internal silos and enabling better collaboration
echoes the MTA’s belief in the power of collaborative growth, and our goal of fostering a
dynamic, competitive and sustainable UK manufacturing sector.”
More information https://thequorumprinciple.com/

Walter Tools joins DMQP

Strengthening its worldwide partnership with machine tool manufacturer DMG Mori, Walter Tools is now part of the DMQP (DMG Mori Qualified Products) initiative. For manufacturers striving to build the ideal solution for their business, the DMG Mori online machine configurator enables manufacturers to specify the exact requirements for their machine tool. As a DMQP partner, UK manufacturers specifying a DMG MORI machine can benefit from up to 30% discount when using their DMQP certificate to integrate a Walter cutting tool package into their machine.

More information www.walter-tools.com

Tooling in five days

Celebrating its 35th anniversary as a partner to manufacturers worldwide, Quickparts has launched Quick Mould, a rapid tooling solution designed to transform product development speed and flexibility for customers across Europe. Available now across the EMEA region, production takes place at Quickparts’ European centre of excellence in Pinerolo, Italy, ensuring fast regional support and reduced logistics times. Whether iterating prototypes, validating a process or gearing up for low-volume production, Quick Mould is designed to help engineers move from concept to functional, production-grade parts in record time.

More information www.quickparts.com

Fecken-Kirfel gets ready for next generation

Jochen Klein (administrative director) and Dr Paul Grzeschik (director of technology and sales) joined the board of directors at Fecken-Kirfel on 1 October 2025. The move is in preparation for the scheduled retirement of the company’s long-serving managing director Volker Schiffer in 2026, representing the first step into a new era for this long-standing manufacturer of cutting and splitting machines. The new managing directors will be based in Aachen. During the transition period, Schiffer will continue to lead the company with the future management tandem while gradually stepping back into a consulting role.

More information www.fecken-kirfel.de