EDITORIAL ROUNDUP

Mazak names laser representative in Spain

Yamazaki Mazak has appointed IP Grupo as its exclusive representative for laser processing machines in Spain. Spain is seen as a key market for Mazak, which already has a long-standing CNC machine tool (milling/turning) representative, Intermaher. With the region’s burgeoning automotive and architectural furniture industries providing growth opportunities, Mazak has selected Madrid-based IP Grupo as its strategic partner to develop its laser business across the country. The partnership has started strongly, with IP Grupo already delivering a sale of an FG-400 NEO to a manufacturer in Zaragoza.

More information www.mazakeu.com/laser

MACH 2026 space filling up fast

The ballots for MACH 2026 have concluded and the floor plan is filling up rapidly. With strong on-site sales, MACH 2026 is already well over 50% occupied. The organiser is now encouraging further potential exhibitors to book early to secure a prime location on the floorplan and spread the cost over several months with flexible payment options.

At the last show in 2024, exhibitors reported a £200m in sales directly attributable to the event. With over 26,000 attendees at MACH 2024, exhibitors tapped into an audience eager to discover the latest advancements. In fact, 93% of exhibitors generated significant leads, highlighting the potential for 2026 participants to forge lasting connections and increase their reach.

More information www.machexhibition.com

AI cobots

Universal Robots, a Danish collaborative robot (cobot) company, has unveiled its AI Accelerator, a ready-to-use hardware and software toolkit created to enable the further development of AI-powered cobot applications. Designed for commercial and research applications, UR’s AI Accelerator provides developers with an extendable platform to build applications, accelerate research and reduce time-to-market for AI products. The toolkit brings AI acceleration to UR’s next-generation software platform PolyScope X and is powered by NVIDIA Isaac accelerated libraries and AI models.

More information www.universal-robots.com

Skills partnership 

Engineering apprenticeship training provider MTC Training has signed a partnership agreement with Next Gen Makers in a move that will help engineering firms to future-proof skills. MTC Training – with training centres in Coventry, Liverpool and Culham’s OAS – has now become an ‘Educational Partner’ of Next Gen Makers. Its mission is to create the next generation of engineering talent while upskilling and reskilling existing workforces, ensuring UK manufacturing businesses have the skilled employees they need to continue making the country’s manufacturing industry globally competitive.

More information www.nextgenmakers.co.uk

ASG TGM expansion doubles footprint

ASG TGM (Techni-Grind Machining) has undertaken a major expansion of its operations in Preston, doubling its footprint by acquiring an additional 1022 m² adjacent to its existing facility. This strategic move, led by the ASG Group and supported on site by managing director Sarah Stephens, positions the company for future growth as it capitalises on new contracts and investment in advanced manufacturing technology. The additional space has already seen new machinery investment, including the arrival of a £500,000 Mazak travelling column five-axis machining centre.

More information www.asg-group.co/tgm