EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Biggest Finals Day Yet for TDI Challenge

The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) held its biggest finals day yet for the Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge 2025. This year’s event has grown larger than ever, featuring over 20 finalists presenting their innovative projects to an esteemed panel of nine judges.

This year’s TDI Challenge was, once again, hosted by Yamazaki Mazak in Worcester and sponsored by the Gene Haas Foundation, Vision West Nottinghamshire College and Imagineering. Participants (students aged 14-19) were invited to submit a design and a 2-minute demonstration video. The Key Stage 4 winner was Nia Wood for her ‘Signal Cycle’ project, while Pacha Pritchard was named Key Stage 5 winner for his project ‘Time & Tide’.

More information www.thetdichallenge.co.uk

Gleason buys Intra Group

Gleason Corporation has acquired 100% of the shares of the Intra Group of companies with its headquarters in Westland, Michigan. Intra offers a broad range of custom measurement technology, including single-flank gear testing equipment, and is a supplier of precision gears and components to many of the world’s leading aerospace and defence companies.

The acquisition includes the entities of: Intra Corporation and Intra Technical Services LLC in Westland, Michigan; Intra Limited in Hitchin, UK; Intra Aerospace LLC in Rancho Cucamonga, California; and affiliated sales and service companies.

More information www.gleason.com

Fighter Jet HQ Opens

A flagship headquarters that will support the delivery of a supersonic stealth fighter jet has opened in Reading, where hundreds of skilled personnel will be based. The move is a significant milestone for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – a joint initiative between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter jet. The facility will host the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and a joint venture company, called Edgewing that brings together three industry partners: BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement.

More information www.gov.uk

Robotics contest heats up as finalists named

FANUC UK has revealed the six teams of young people who have made it to the final of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics competition, taking place in Wales this November. Following two days of intense qualifiers at Smart Factory Expo in June 2025, teams from Northern Regional College in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and Bridgend College in Wales, will now battle it out to be crowned the best young robotics programmers in the UK, and win the chance to represent Squad UK at the WorldSkills international finals in Shanghai, China next year.

More information www.fanuc.eu

René Güntner named new CFO at Mapal

René Güntner is the new chief financial officer (CFO) of the Mapal Group. In his role, Güntner assumes responsibility for the areas of financial accounting, controlling, purchasing and facility management. He says: “I see myself as financial officer as well as sparring partner for all areas of the company. Open dialogue and cross-divisional collaboration are key success factors.” In his previous role, Güntner was executive vice president of finance at Mapal Group. He succeeds Matthias Cöster, who has left the company by mutual agreement.

More information www.mapal.com