THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Parklands Capital buys Laser Expertise

Laser Expertise, a laser-cutting fabrication specialist established for 40+ years, has been sold
to Parklands Capital, a private equity fund which invests in established UK SMEs with
ambitious management teams and strong growth prospects. Based in Nottingham and
operating nationally, Laser Expertise has around 2787 m² of workshop space and employs
more than 80 people. The deal was led by Matthew Sibley, associate director of company
sales specialist KBS Corporate.
The staff at Laser Expertise that customers currently deal with for all facets of the business
will remain the same, along with the company name and contact details. With the support
and infrastructure of Parklands Capital, Laser Expertise will be able to continue investing in
the latest technologies.
More information www.kbscorporate.com

SpeedFlex secures £650k finance deal

Independent SME lender Time Finance has provided a specialist £650,000 asset-based lending facility to Midlands-based engineering company, SpeedFlex, helping to support its future growth plans. The multi-product solution consisted of a £250,000 confidential invoice finance facility and a £400,000 asset finance facility, allowing the business to invest in its operations and prioritise expansion.


Based in Stourport-on-Severn, SpeedFlex Engineering specialises in the production of components for the aerospace, automotive and gas turbine industries, all of which are integral to the UK’s economy. Having achieved a growth in turnover from £500,000 to £1.6m, the business required a funding boost to help fulfil its ongoing growth strategy.

More information www.timefinance.com

R&D facility for Renishaw and IDEKO

Metrology company Renishaw and the research centre IDEKO have inaugurated a new Renishaw Solutions Centre in Elgoibar (Gipuzkoa), Spain. The new R&D facility aims to develop innovative solutions for the advanced manufacturing sector. Located on the premises of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) member centre, the laboratory forms part of the collaboration agreement signed last year.

A long-term partnership agreement between the two organisations marks the beginning of a partnership that also involves Danobatgroup, a major industrial group in the field of machine tools. The Solutions Centre drives innovation for this group, while Renishaw has been a long-term technology supplier across several of its product lines.

More information www.renishaw.com

Mikron Group reports modest growth

The Mikron Group – which specialises in automation solutions, machining systems and cutting tools – is reporting preliminary and unaudited net sales of CHF374.1m for 2024, an increase of 1% compared with the previous year. The group’s automation business contributed CHF 233.3m, an increase of 0.9%, with strong growth in Europe offset by a decline in America. Mikron Group’s machining solutions business increased net sales by 1.2% to CHF 140.8m, which the company says is a good result given the difficult market conditions, particularly in Europe.

More information www.mikron.com

JCB Students Visit Carfulan Group

The Carfulan Group recently welcomed 30 enthusiastic engineering students from the JCB
Academy to its Advanced Innovation Centre, offering them an opportunity to interact with
the company’s latest technologies. The visit provided an immersive, hands-on experience
with machines from across the group’s divisions, giving students an insight into the modern
world of engineering and manufacturing.
The day was structured to provide maximum learning value via interactive demonstrations
and practical sessions. By fostering close ties with educational institutions like the JCB
Academy, Carfulan Group ensures that young engineers are well-equipped with the skills
and knowledge necessary to succeed in a fast-evolving industry.
More information www.carfulan.com/careers