Editor’s Pick

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

New right-angle heads suitable for automation

A new range of tool-holding heads designed to mill and drill components at right angles to the orientation of a machining centre spindle has been introduced by Swiss manufacturer Pibomulti, whose products are sold into the British and Irish markets exclusively by Gewefa UK. The next-generation CEP-NG heads can likewise be used in the B-axis spindle of a multi-tasking lathe, or in a live VDI turret station of a turn-mill centre.  

Built with high-quality, hardened and ground bevel gears and ABEC 9 angular contact bearings, CEP-NG heads are engineered to deliver reliability, performance, precision and longevity, even when tackling challenging applications in demanding sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical, defence and energy.

Compared with previous models, the new generation of heads is capable of transmitting higher rotational speeds at a 1:1 ratio, leading to greater productivity due to raised metal removal rate when roughing, or finer surfaces when taking finishing cuts. The CEP-NG 17 model, for instance, which clamps the cutter in an ER25 collet, can reach a maximum speed of 5000 rpm, optionally 6000 rpm, and has a maximum torque of 50 Nm. 

ER8 up to ER50/ISO40 tool clamping is available, the latter being capable of deploying a 36 mm diameter tool and transmitting 210 Nm of torque. A further benefit of the head redesign is that vibration is lower, especially when tool overhang is long, further promoting good surface finish as well as extending tool life. 

Pibomulti CEP-NG heads are also lighter in weight, reducing stress on the machine tool spindle bearings, as well as on the machine structure when the spindle head is accelerating or decelerating in the linear axes. The lightness similarly lessens the load on the magazine arm during automatic tool change and allows quicker exchange.

More information www.gewefa.co.uk

Celebrating 28 years of engineering excellence

Taking place this week (3-5 February) at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is the first major event in the sector’s calendar, marking the show’s 28th year as a cornerstone of the UK’s engineering community. Much loved for its heritage and uniquely British character, the event continues to attract engineers, designers, manufacturers and innovators from across the country and overseas.

Two dedicated seminar theatres complement the exhibition, hosting a full programme of CPD-accredited sessions. The agenda explores practical strategies to help manufacturers streamline production, strengthen digital capabilities and unlock fresh opportunities for growth. For instance, experts will explain how integrated digital tools and systems can boost efficiency, enhance productivity and position businesses for long-term success.

More information www.southern-manufacturing-electronics.com

Xtrac Kicks off 2026 with £1m Investment

As part of Xtrac’s continuous improvement philosophy, the specialist in transmission technology has confirmed a £1m investment in the three new machines at its Thatcham headquarters in the UK: a Sodick EDM machine, a DMG Mori CNC turning centre and a Behringer bandsaw. Together, this trio of arrivals will further improve Xtrac’s ability to deliver high-precision gearing solutions to the highest quality.

Xtrac also remains committed to staying at the cutting edge of gear design and manufacture by investing in the upgrade of existing equipment to take advantage in developments in technology and software. In December, the company’s Klingelnberg P40 gear inspection machine was upgraded to deploy the latest closed-loop bevel manufacture process and technology suite.

More information www.xtrac.com

Hyundai to Use AI Robots on Production Lines

At the CES 2026 technology exhibition in Las Vegas earlier this month, Hyundai Motor Group
(HMG) and its collaboration partner Boston Dynamics, announced plans to integrate cutting-
edge AI robotics across all HMG manufacturing sites worldwide. Many companies develop
robots, but HMG says the key differentiator of its AI robotics lies in the ability to apply and
validate these technologies at scale.

Carrying heavy objects that were once the duties of humans is just one example of the
technology’s promise and potential. Before deployment, robots will first undergo learning
and training at the Robot Metaplant Application Center (RMAC), set to open this year at the
‘HMG Megaplant America’ in Georgia. Robots trained at RMAC will start sequencing tasks by
2028, with more complex operations like assembly beginning by 2030.
More information www.hyundaimotorgroup.com