EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Southern Manufacturing Breaks Records

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2025, the UK’s annual trade fair serving
manufacturing in the mechanical and electronic engineering sectors, concluded its most
successful show to date last month. Celebrating its 27 th anniversary this year, the
international event saw a surge in visitor attendance and exhibitor participation, solidifying
its position as a vital business hub for industry professionals.
The number of attendees reached 10,204, a 14% increase compared with 2024. The biggest
cohort was from the aerospace manufacturing sector. More than 72% of visitors had
purchasing influence, underlining the event’s importance as a platform for business growth.
Notably, the number of exhibitors also grew, by 12%, with 535 companies showcasing their
latest products and innovations.
More information www.southern-manufacturing-electronics.com

£8.2m for Port Talbot growth

Government officials expect the creation of more than 100 jobs following the announcement of £8.2m in funding for the first regeneration project in Port Talbot, with other projects set to follow. The ‘South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub’ project will redevelop a four-acre site at Harbourside, Port Talbot that will include the construction of additional shared space, undertake flood mitigation and the provision of specialist equipment. This major investment will help establish an ‘Innovation District’ in Port Talbot that will ultimately benefit the South Wales economy by £87m.

More information www.gov.uk

F1 team partnership

Hexagon has announced a multi-year renewal of its long-established innovation partnership with Milton Keynes based Formula 1 team, Oracle Red Bull Racing. For 18 years, Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has been a partner to Oracle Red Bull Racing. The company supplies the team with 3D laser scanning and digitalisation solutions. Hexagon branding will feature on the lower sidepod of the RB21, signifying its long-standing contribution to the operation of the car. The partnership is crucial ahead of the 2026 season as new sporting regulations come into effect that require a complete redesign of all cars.

More information www.hexagon.com

Embrace Steel names trio of key hires

Embrace Steel Group, a provider of steel-frame building solutions throughout the UK, has appointed three senior hires, bolstering teams at the company’s sites in both Hambleton Steel and Shufflebottom. A steel fabrication company based in Wales, Shufflebottom has welcomed Richard Wigley to the business as its new commercial and technical director, while Ben Thomas joins as operations director. In addition, Chris Burns has re-joined Hambleton Steel, a steel designer and fabricator headquartered in Yorkshire, as design and build engineer.

More information www.embracesteelgroup.co.uk

Mills relaunches machine hire initiative

Mills CNC, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of machine tools from DN Solutions, has relaunched its ‘Smart Options’ machine tool rental scheme. A new brochure is available to explains the initiative in more detail. Managed and administered by Mills CNC Finance, Smart Options enables manufacturers to acquire a new machine tool from DN Solutions for an initial 12-month rental period. Upon the completion of 12 months, the machine user has options to return the machine, purchase the machine (with previous rental payments refunded), or extend the rental period for a further 12 months.

More information www.millscnc.co.uk