EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

QBO secures £500k loan

A Queen’s Award-winning company that supplies bearings worldwide is set to boost exports to South America after securing £500,000 from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II). Quality Bearings Online, based in Leeds, currently supplies manufacturing and engineering firms in over 120 countries, with exports accounting for more than 90% of turnover. The business, which is led by Denny Maude and Simon Riley, currently employs 27 staff. NPIF II funding will also provide additional working capital to support growth plans.

More information www.mercia.co.uk

Best of UK Engineering Nears Glory

The brightest lights in British engineering and manufacturing are set to shine as finalists for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2025. Taking place on 3 July 2025, the event’s theme is: Engineering and Manufacturing is the Engine of Growth. The gala dinner will take place at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, where the winners will be announced. Each year, the Enginuity Skills Awards celebrates teams and individuals who inspire and empower the next generation of talent in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, fostering a culture of innovation, diversity and collaboration. Enginuity is formerly Semta, the sector skills council.

More information www.enginuity.org

Successful Citizen Product Launch Event

Last month, Citizen Machinery held a special event at the company’s Bushey headquarters to launch the third generation of its Cincom L20-LFV series of sliding-head lathes, which in the latest version are considerably more productive and eco-friendly. Three of the four variants available to UK and Irish manufacturers were on show under power producing typical customer-type components. As it was not a conventional open house, the gathering was smaller than normal, but nevertheless 60 visitors from 30 customer companies attended. Four orders were taken to the value of around £700,000.

More information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Lloyds is headline sponsor at MACH

The countdown to the MACH 2026 exhibition continues to gather momentum with the announcement that Lloyds has once again confirmed its role as headline sponsor. It marks over 16 years of lloyds’ continuous support for the event and reaffirms the bank’s long-standing commitment to the UK’s manufacturing sector.


Dave Atkinson, UK head of manufacturing at Lloyds, says: “Manufacturing is a sector that drives growth and innovation across the UK economy, and it’s crucial we help companies take advantage of opportunities like the transition to net zero. Our role goes beyond finance: we’re committed to supporting manufacturers with the investment, advice and skills they need to thrive in a competitive and evolving global marketplace.”

More information www.machexhibition.com

The “manufacturing solutions” show

Subcon (NEC, Birmingham, 4-5 June) will bring together over 170 leading UK and international suppliers. The exhibition covers everything from assembly work, CNC machining and metal fabrication to electronics, component parts and more. Any visitors who need a place for face-to-face meetings, want to take time out or catch up on messages, will find dedicated times available in the show’s meeting spaces.

The exhibition’s VIP programme offers senior purchasers free parking and access to an exclusive networking lounge with complimentary lunch and refreshments – the perfect location to meet new suppliers. There will also be CPD-accredited workshop sessions, led by a subject expert, with practical takeaways to help progress professional development or company strategy.

More information www.subconshow.co.uk