THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Electricity bills to be cut for 10,000 manufacturers

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed electricity bill cuts for over 10,000 manufacturers as the next phase of the Government’s plan to boost Britain’s competitiveness takes shape. It is hoped the move will help manufacturers compete, win and create good jobs. Automotive, aerospace, steel plants and metal fabricators are among the sectors where eligible businesses are to benefit from a one-off additional payment in 2027.

The payment will cover the support firms would have received if BICS had been in place from April 2026. Eligibility has also been expanded by 40%, from 7000 to over 10,000 manufacturers. This targets support at energy-intensive firms on the number one issue they face:  high electricity costs. From April 2027, eligible firms will see electricity bills cut by up to 25%.

More information www.gov.uk

Chiron Group appoints new CEO

The board of directors at machine tool manufacturer Chiron Group has appointed Roman Gaida as its new CEO, effective 1 July 2026. The move sends a clear signal regarding the company’s international expansion, a stronger focus on customer needs and a consistent commitment to profitable growth.

“With Roman, the Chiron Group is gaining a CEO who combines strategic clarity, international leadership experience and deep technical expertise,” explains chairman Dr Armin Schmiedeberg. “His career path – from his roots in CNC machining through senior leadership roles to the global management of international organisations – makes him a valuable and forward-looking addition to our leadership team.”More information www.chiron-group.com

Stratasys selected for war AM programme

Stratasys’ parts-on-demand business, Stratasys Direct, has been selected to take part in the US Department of War’s (DoW) Joint Additive Manufacturing Acceptability (JAMA) IV Pilot Parts Programme, a multimillion- dollar initiative to accelerate qualification and deployment of 3D-printed parts across military platforms and systems.

“In 2025 Stratasys saw double-digit annual revenue growth from aerospace and defence, demonstrating that AM is a becoming a key capability for defence sustainment and supply chain resilience,” says Foster Ferguson, vice president – industrial business unit, Stratasys. “Stratasys Direct already ships over 100,000 parts annually to the defence industry, and programmes like JAMA will accelerate qualification of parts so organisations can deploy them faster across operational platforms.” 

More information www.stratasys.com/en/stratasysdirect

Finecast welcomes UK industry stakeholders

Finecast, a West Sussex-based precision casting and machining specialist, opened its doors to a diverse delegation last month to address one of the most pressing challenges facing UK manufacturing today: the future of the domestic casting industry. Delegates comprised members of the Worshipful Company of Founders, a historic livery company dedicated to supporting and promoting the modern metals and casting industries. Also attending the event were industry leaders, academics, engineers and apprentices. 

The day began with an informal roundtable discussion, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of Finecast’s advanced foundry and machine shop. Finecast has recently invested £2m in its machine shop capabilities and is in the process of achieving NADCAP accreditation.

The company also employs advanced inspection technologies such as GOM optical 3D metrology systems for precise geometric measurement.

More information www.finecast.co.uk

Productivity and process stability in cast-iron machining

As global manufacturing continues to face pressure from raw material volatility and supply chain concentration, machine shops are reassessing how critical tool materials are deployed within their processes.

Tungsten carbide remains indispensable across a wide range of applications. However, its reliance on tungsten, a strategically sensitive material, is prompting manufacturers to reconsider where it delivers maximum value and where alternatives can offer distinct technical advantages.

With expertise in ceramic material engineering and application development, NTK continues to advance cutting tool performance in demanding environments. In cast-iron machining, engineered ceramic grades provide a highly robust solution for high-temperature applications.

Machining cast iron generates extreme cutting temperatures, particularly in dry and high-speed operations. Under these conditions, alumina- and silicon-nitride-based ceramics retain hardness and wear resistance beyond conventional carbide limits. In stable, heat-dominated processes, they enable higher cutting speeds, shorter cycle times, consistent wear behaviour and reliable dry machining performance – benefits grounded in material science and proven in production environments.

Ceramics are not intended to replace carbide across all operations. Carbide remains the preferred choice for heavy interruptions, unstable set-ups and applications requiring maximum edge toughness. The opportunity lies in identifying operations driven primarily by thermal load rather than mechanical shock. In these conditions, ceramic grades can deliver measurable productivity gains, while carbide continues to excel where toughness is critical.

NTK’s ceramic portfolio includes SP9, SX6 and HC1/HW2 grades, developed specifically for cast-iron machining. Widely used across automotive, heavy equipment and industrial casting sectors, these solutions have demonstrated increased cutting speeds and productivity in components such as wheel hubs and structural housings, while supporting more efficient, lower-resource manufacturing.

More information www.ntkcuttingtools.com