EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Smarter machining

Colchester Machine Tool Solutions (CMTS) will stage an open house at its Elland facility on 4 and 5 November. Under the theme ‘Manual to CNC: Your Path to Smarter Machining’, CMTS is inviting visitors along for two days of live demonstrations, workshops and expert insight. Of particular note, this year sees the company celebrate 30 years of Alpha CNC/manual combination lathes. As well as discovering how these machines can cut costs, boost productivity and provide competitive edge – whether for one-off jobs or batch production – visitors will be able to see the full CMTS range live and join practical workshops.

More information www.bit.ly/4mDoo7K

Adi Group opens doors

Multi-discipline engineering firmadi Group welcomed young people, schools and general visitors to its Birmingham headquarters as part of the UK’s recent National Manufacturing Day 2025. The event at adi’s Kings Norton site included opportunities for visitors to observe project demonstrations. The programme was designed to highlight how a range of technical skills and teamwork contribute to project delivery across multiple sectors. As a business that completes thousands of projects each year across 35 specialist disciplines, adi Group viewed the day as an extension of its ongoing outreach and education work.

More information www.bit.ly/4nPSlCB

Open Mind names new manager for UK

CADCAM software expert Open Mind Technologies UK has appointed Ken Baldwin as its new managing director. Baldwin previously served as sales director at Open Mind UK and has been with the business for over 20 years. In his new role, he will oversee the company’s operations and focus on driving further growth and market development. “I’m pleased to take on this new role and further strengthen the position of hyperMILL in the manufacturing industry,” he says. “Our aim is to show more companies how they can benefit from the precision and efficiency of our CADCAM solution.”

More information www.openmind-tech.com

NCMT and BEL build talent pipeline

To mark the UK’s recent National Manufacturing Day, machine tool supplier NCMT and engineering services provider BEL Engineering shone the spotlight on how manufacturers can grow next-generation talent by pairing hands-on training with an Okuma Genos M460V-5AX five-axis machining technology and meeting young people where they already are: on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Jonathan Smart, managing director of NCMT, says: “We deliver world-class manufacturing technology and work with partners to unlock its full capability; social media adds the spark and ambition apprentices need to excel.”

More information www.ncmt.co.uk

Tokamak Energy acquires Ridgway Machines

Tokamak Energy, a UK fusion technology company, has accelerated the growth and manufacturing capabilities of its TE Magnetics business with the acquisition of specialist engineering company Ridgway Machines. Leicester-based Ridgway Machines, an expert in solutions for winding and insulating superconducting magnets and cables, will operate as a subsidiary of Tokamak, with the existing brand, workforce and facility remaining unchanged.

Andy Glanville, Ridgway Machines’ managing director, says: “Throughout the company’s 100-year history, Ridgway has always been forward-looking. Our track record means we’re well suited to expansion and this new period of growth. In Tokamak Energy, we’re proud to be joining one of the UK’s most exciting technology businesses, and to play our part in their ambitious and transformative plans.”

More information www.tokamakenergy.com