EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Positive year for subcontract market

The UK subcontract manufacturing market had a positive year in 2025, up 47% on 2024, according to the latest Contract Manufacturing Index (CMI) figures. The automotive industry was the largest customer and accounted for nearly a third of the market. It proved a strong contributor to the health of the subcontract sector despite the effects of the JLR cyber-attack.

Qimtek owner Karl Wigart says: “It’s quite clear that 2025 was a better year overall than 2024. Activity by buyers has been steady and we broke the record for the number of parts quoted – just under 20 million components for the year. However, we feel suppliers remain cautious. They were badly affected by the uncertainty of the late budget and the shutdown of JLR. Suppliers are proving fussy on which jobs they are quoting for and careful with how they are spending their money.”

More information www.qimtek.co.uk

Next Phase For LSIC

The NCC, part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and the University of Bristol, has confirmed that the Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC) will be located on the Isle of Wight. The LSIC will be an open-access national facility to support the development, demonstration and industrialisation of large, high-performance structures across multiple sectors, with an initial focus on wind energy. It will equip industry with end-to-end innovation capabilities, supporting progress from concept through to end-of-life. NCC has announced Vestas as the LSIC’s launch partner.

More information www.nccuk.com

New director for MAPAL

Mark Lich is now director of global key account management at cutting tool manufacturer MAPAL, taking over leadership of a newly established department of the same name. He reports directly to the chief sales officer Claudio Gabos. Lich joined the company at the end of 2013 and has experience in various sales positions at MAPAL. Since January 2023, he has headed the company’s sales management office, which is responsible for steering and supporting global growth and efficiency goals within strategic sales management. Lich will continue to fulfil this role alongside his other responsibilities.

More information www.mapal.com

Stratasys launches post-processing partnerships

3D printer manufacturer Stratasys has launched its Post Processing Partnership Programme, an initiative that simplifies how customers access validated post-processing solutions as part of complete, end-to-end additive manufacturing workflows. Stratasys has also named its first participant in the programme, PostProcess Technologies. Under the commercial agreement, Stratasys will offer validated post-processing solutions from PostProcess Technologies through its global sales channels, enabling customers to purchase post-processing equipment under a single Stratasys PO alongside their Stratasys systems.

More information www.bit.ly/4tuU18z

Manufacturing sector lags in AI adoption

Although interest in AI across UK businesses is at an all-time high in many commercial sectors, adoption remains slow-moving for traditional industries, including manufacturing. Research shows the most cited obstacle is identifying practical use cases (39%), followed by cost concerns (21%) and a lack of internal AI skills and expertise (16%). The Coders Guild – a provider of digital skills training, apprenticeships and software development bootcamps – has therefore worked with Skills England and the Department for Education to author the UK’s first Level 4 AI and Automation Apprenticeship Standard.

More information www.bit.ly/46l3nJJ