THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Manufacturing Champion Delivers SME Support Boost 

A new national platform designed to streamline how manufacturing SMEs access essential support has been launched by industry ambassador Andrea Wilson. The former managing director of Hone-All Precision has officially unveiled ManufacturingUK.org, a free to access digital platform bringing together a disparate support ecosystem in one place, a place where users can tap into advice and guidance from funding providers, skills programmes, trade associations, innovation resources and best-practice events. The site makes life easier for manufacturers that often find it difficult and time-consuming to access support. 

More information www.manufacturinguk.org 

Nasmyth Secures Air Inlet Manifold Contract for Coolbrook

Nasmyth has been awarded the first Air Inlet Manifold contract by Coolbrook for its pioneering RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology, marking an important new programme for Nasmyth within the industrial and energy sectors. The contract follows several months of close collaboration between the two companies and will see Nasmyth produce a key element of the RDH system. It provides Nasmyth with an opportunity to apply its established precision engineering, fabrication and extensive manufacturing expertise to this fast-growing multi-million pound market. 

More information www.nasmyth.com 

Made Smarter Teams Up With Toyota

Made Smarter South East, the Government-backed technology adoption programme, has teamed up with the Toyota Lean Management Centre (TLMC) to bring manufacturing and continuous improvement expertise directly to SME factory floors. Together the organisations have developed a two-day programme tailored to SMEs, helping manufacturers improve processes, eliminate waste and boost productivity before investing in new technology. 

The programme was successfully piloted in Buckinghamshire, bringing together 14 manufacturers hosted at Ercol in Princes Risborough factory. Day one combined expert-led workshops and practical exercises with a factory tour, while day two took the learning directly into selected businesses. 

More information www.tinyurl.com/4zxthect 

Rolls-Royce Invests £300m in UK Facilities

Rolls-Royce is making a landmark £300m investment in its manufacturing and engineering facilities across the UK. The investment reinforces the company’s commitment to the UK’s manufacturing ecosystem, laying the groundwork for further growth across its global civil aerospace and defence businesses. The funding includes £140m for its Derby plant, £90m for Bristol, £43m for Inchinnan, £19m for Rotherham and £5m for Ansty.  

Rolls-Royce has invested more than £3bn in the UK since the start of its transformation programme in 2023. Across the country, the company has been investing in R&D and cutting-edge engineering programmes, alongside upgrading its facilities. This new investment will ensure Rolls-Royce’s UK infrastructure can meet manufacturing demand and support the development of future aerospace programmes.  

More information www.rolls-royce.com 

Showered With Precious Metals in Shanghai

An aircraft maintenance engineer, a lab technician and the coolest refrigeration expert on the planet, are among 21 UK medallists at WorldSkills 2026 in China who showed the strength of the nation’s skills. Team UK, the country’s brightest young apprentices and professionals, were showered with medals as they triumphed in Shanghai, picking up two golds, one silver and three bronze medals at the so-called ‘skills Olympics’. 

A further 13 ‘Medals for Excellence’, denoting world-class standards, were awarded to the UK, meaning medal recognition for 19 of the 25 skills in which Team UK competed. This is the strongest performance since 2017. All 28 young professionals and apprentices, exponents of a wide range of skills that included high-tech robotics and Industry 4.0, returned home enhanced by the experience of competing against 1400 peers from over 70 nations. 

More information www.worldskillsuk.org