THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

Subcontract Market Continues to Grow

The UK subcontract manufacturing market carried on growing in the third quarter of 2025. It was up 10% on the previous quarter, which had already seen dramatic growth from April onwards. The CMI is produced by sourcing specialist Qimtek and reflects the total purchasing budget for outsourced manufacturing of companies looking to place business in any given month (representing a sample of over 4,000 companies).

The baseline for the index is 100, which represents the average size of the subcontract manufacturing market between 2014 and 2018.The CMI for the third quarter of 2025 was 113, compared with 103 for the second three months of the year.One a month-by-month basis, July was impressively strong – by far the strongest month of the year so far and a third higher than June.

More information www.qimtek.co.uk

Energy sector gears up for ADIPEC

Globalleaders are set to converge in Abu Dhabi next week for the ADIPEC 2025 exhibition and conference, an eventaiming to shape the transformation of energy systems under the theme ‘Energy – Intelligence – Impact.’ Taking place on 3-6 November, ADIPEC 2025 will host 1800+ speakers, including leading global energy, tech and investment CEOs and government ministers from the world’s largest economies.

The event will showcase Abu Dhabi’s leadership in AI and energy to more than 205,000 visitors from over 170 countries with an expanded AI Zone and the launch of Low Carbon & Chemicals Expo. The ADIPEC 2025 exhibition will span 17 halls featuring 30 countrypavilions, four specialised industry areas and 2250 exhibitors, while the conference will see more than 1800 speakers share their expert knowledge.

More information www.adipec.com

Red Bull & Hexagon crown future skills champion

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division has named the winner and two runners-up of
the inaugural ‘Telemetry Tested: Future Skills Challenge’, a global competition co-developed
with Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing and MENSA. From a pool of over 1100 completed entries,
three finalists emerged victorious, having completed an interactive quiz of rapid-fire, data-
driven scenarios that tested both esports’ instincts and real-world engineering problem-
solving. Spanish software engineer Antonio Masuda, a master’s graduate in data science and
a Formula 1 fan, claimed first prize by answering all questions correctly in the fastest time.
More information www.hexagon.com

CVE Scoops Accolade for Second Year Running

Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE) has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best
Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation 2025, as announced by Great
Place To Work UK last month. At the heart of this recognition is the Trust Index employee
survey, which gathers anonymous insights from employees, focusing on key areas such as
work-life balance, job satisfaction, psychological safety and professional development.
The survey also evaluates how consistently organisations deliver a positive experience
across all departments and levels of seniority. Bob Nicolson, managing director at CVE, says:
“We’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing,
Production & Transportation for the second year running. At CVE, we believe that investing
in our people – their growth, wellbeing, and success – is the foundation of our progress.”
More information https://camvaceng.com/

Rapid Fusion Secures First US Deal

UK-based Rapid Fusion is looking to break into America after signing a new reseller
agreement with a US additive manufacturing specialist. The Exeter-based business, which
employs 10 people at its state-of-the-art Skypark demonstration centre, has joined forces
with Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies (PADT) to sell its robotic additive
manufacturing systems to customers in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Bosses at the technology expert believe there are almost £2m worth of opportunities to be
enjoyed in the first year across the western half of the country and have earmarked its
Apollo, Zeus and Medusa solutions as offering significant time and cost savings compared to
existing models. The company will initially target PADT’s existing client base.
More information www.rapidfusion.co.uk