THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

£10bn UK warships deal

Billions of pounds will be pumped into the UK economy following Norway’s decision to select British warships for its Armed Forces, securing thousands of jobs in Britain for years to come. The UK, in its biggest ever warship export deal by value, will supply Norway with Type 26 frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare in the deal, which is worth £10bn. The deal will support 4000 jobs across the UK supply chain until well into the 2030s, including more than 2000 at BAE Systems’ Glasgow shipyards. The programme is also expected to support 432 business, including 222 SMEs across the UK. 

More information www.gov.uk

GE Aerospace awards major contract to Barnes

GE Aerospace has awarded a six-year contract to Barnes Aerospace for the manufacture of components required by the T700/CT7 family of engines. This partnership will support the UK Government’s Strategic Defence Review ambitions for resilient supply chains and a thriving industrial base.

As part of the deal, Barnes Aerospace will produce T700/CT7 aerofoils at its Newton Abbot facility, critical components that enable the engine’s performance and reliability. This work builds on a trusted partnership between GE Aerospace and Barnes Aerospace that spans more than 30 years, underscoring the strength of their collaboration and shared commitment to delivering high-quality aerospace solutions.

More information www.geaerospace.com

RK and Haco launch OptiForm CNC press brake

RK International Machine Tools is continuing its partnership with Belgian sheet metal machinery manufacturer Haco by introducing the Haco OptiForm 30150 CNC press brake to the UK market. The company says this collaboration brings a new generation of high-performance, cost-effective bending technology to British manufacturers, combining European engineering with local support and service.

The OptiForm Series (OPF), launched in 2025, is Haco’s reimagining of the entry-level CNC press brake. Designed for efficiency, ergonomics and fast delivery, the OptiForm 30150 (3 m, 150 T) is suitable for workshops upgrading from manual brakes or expanding capacity. It offers a compact footprint with a rigid frame, as well as the Haco EasyBEND multi-touch CNC – a PC-based 2D graphical control for intuitive operation.

Two configurations are available: a standard version with a two-axis back-gauge featuring manual crowning; and a ‘+’ version with four-axis back-gauge (X, R, Z1, Z2) featuring CNC crowning.

The Haco OptiForm is manufactured in the EU, which means UK manufacturers benefit from shorter lead times, budget-friendly pricing and full UK-based support from RK International, including installation, training and aftersales service.

“The OptiForm is a smart, future-ready solution for fabricators who want to modernise without overinvesting,” says Bart Huys, global sales manager at Haco. “We’ve combined the simplicity of our SynchroMaster with a modern design and intuitive control, making it perfect for the UK market where flexibility, reliability and value are key.”

More information www.rk-int.com

Sheffield Forgemasters signs training deal

Sheffield Forgemasters has agreed a four-year engineering training contract with the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre. The package will support the professional and personal development of Sheffield Forgemasters’ apprentices and includes placement of a permanent engineering skills coach at the company’s site to deliver advanced machining methods for trainee engineers.

Adopting a bespoke model to train and upskill employees, the AMRC Training Centre will support the workforce as it makes the shift from traditional engineering to state-of-the-art machining facilities, currently under construction. Sheffield Forgemasters has worked with the AMRC Training Centre to identify the specific skills that its workforce will need to maximise efficiency from its 30,000 m² machining facility.

More information www.sheffieldforgemasters.com

Heller Becomes Part of DN Solutions

South Korea based DN Solutions has acquired fellow machine tool manufacturer, Germany-headquartered Heller. DN Solutions is part of the DN Automotive Group and is one of the fastest-growing companies in the international machine tool industry. With sales of around $2bn and more than 2000 employees, DN Solutions says it is now one of the top three manufacturers worldwide.

The merger with Heller strengthens DN Solutions’ presence in Europe and expands its portfolio in the field of complex machining centres and five-axis technologies. Since 1894, Heller has stood for precision, process expertise and turnkey solutions in machine tool manufacturing. The company employs around 2,100 people worldwide, has production sites on four continents.

More information www.heller.biz