UK NEWS

Young engineers prepare for high-stakes WorldSkills

Team UK has been officially announced for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, the international competition known as the ‘Skills Olympics’, where the world’s most talented apprentices and young professionals go head-to-head in a high-stakes battle of skill, precision and innovation. Selected, mentored and trained by WorldSkills UK, Team UK brings together a group of 26 competitors at the very top of their fields. Competing against the best from over 80 countries, Team UK will showcase world-class expertise across a diverse range of disciplines in front of over 250,000 visitors. The event takes place on 22-27 September.

More information www.worldskillsuk.org

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

Ficep helps Warrington Fabrications more than double output

Ficep UK has supplied a Valiant CNC drilling line and Tipo D50 to Warrington Fabrications, helping the Cheshire-based steel specialist modernise production and more than double output.

Established over 40 years ago, Warrington Fabrications employs more than 50 people and delivers secondary steelwork and bespoke metalwork for projects ranging from hospitals to large-scale construction. With customers spanning single-beam requirements to major contracts, the company produces everything from staircases to full structural frameworks.

Having worked with Ficep UK for over two decades, Warrington previously relied on older cutting, drilling and punching equipment that had become a constraint on productivity. Seeking to increase throughput, the company turned again to Ficep to identify a future-ready solution.

Rather than a like-for-like replacement, Ficep worked closely with the team to recommend the most suitable systems. Production manager Chris Millington also visited Ficep’s facility in Italy to see the machines in operation, ensuring confidence in the investment.

The Valiant CNC line delivers automated drilling, marking and sawing of structural sections, while the Tipo D50 processes smaller profiles, handling cutting, drilling and scribing tasks. Integrated software improves marking accuracy and reduces manual intervention across the shop floor.

“Our old machines had served us well, but we needed to modernise,” says Millington. “The new systems are faster, require less maintenance and have already transformed our output.”

Installation and training were completed smoothly, enabling rapid adoption. A Ficep tool-vending system has also streamlined consumable management.

With enhanced efficiency and capacity, Warrington Fabrications is well positioned for continued growth, supported by its long-standing partnership with Ficep UK.

More information https://ficepgroup.com/ficep-uk/

Subcontractor invests in first five-axis machining centre

When Andy Battensby and Dale Robson launched North Axis Engineering in Cramlington, Northumberland, their goal was to fill a regional gap for high-precision, quick-turnaround subcontract machining. Targeting the subsea, aerospace and automotive sectors, the company’s rapid growth reflects both ambition and carefully planned investment.

From the outset, the directors prioritised reliable, accurate CNC technology. Drawing on previous experience with Hurco, they equipped the new business in early 2025 with a pre-owned VM10i three-axis machining centre and TM8i CNC lathe. The VM10i delivers high metal removal rates within a compact footprint, while the TM8i provides robust turning capability. Both machines feature Hurco’s Max5 control, enabling fast programming, reduced set-up times and rapid progression to first-off parts.

Rising demand soon prompted expansion. By March 2025, North Axis had added a new VM30i machining centre, complete with an H200 rotary table. Offering larger travels and integrated fourth-axis capability, the machine allows more complex work and efficient second operations. Hurco’s conversational programming ensures this added capability remains easy to use.

Beyond machining, the company offers CADCAM programming, MIG and TIG welding, and fabrication services, all of which strengthen its position as a flexible manufacturing partner.

Its most significant step, however, came with the purchase of a five-axis VM10Ui, confirmed at Hurco’s year-end open house. For a business less than a year old, the move underlines strong confidence and forward planning. As Robson explains: “We already have work requiring simultaneous five-axis machining, and our familiarity with Hurco means we can get up to speed quickly.”

With continued investment and a growing project pipeline, North Axis Engineering is firmly positioned for sustained expansion.

More information www.hurco.co.uk

NCMT supports electric vehicle component manufacturing

As UK automotive manufacturing accelerates towards electrification, suppliers face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality components at scale, with absolute confidence in accuracy and repeatability. This is where the partnership between NCMT and Coventry-based EVTEC is making a tangible impact.

NCMT is supplying a growing fleet of Makino horizontal machining centres to support EVTEC’s expansion, helping to build a scalable and repeatable production platform. As NCMT key accounts manager Greig Underwood explains: “This isn’t just about a single machine, it’s about creating a consistent production line that can scale with demand.”

The collaboration began with three machines from the Makino a-nx series, enabling EVTEC to validate processes before committing to full production. That phased approach proved critical.

EVTEC NPI advisor Bran Antal says: “We needed a partner we could trust to support us from process development through to full-scale production. Starting small allowed us to refine tooling, optimise cycles and build confidence.”

The machining line now supports high-pressure aluminium die-cast components for electric drive units, where tight tolerances are essential. “Any deviation can affect performance,” adds Antal. “Makino’s accuracy and repeatability gave us confidence we could meet these demands consistently.”

The solution combines a range of Makino machines, each matched to specific tasks, from high-speed precision drilling to heavy-duty roughing. Despite their capability, compact machine footprints have enabled efficient shop-floor layouts and smooth material flow.

Beyond the machines themselves, NCMT has provided ongoing support including installation, training and technical assistance. “It’s a genuine partnership,” says Antal. “NCMT has supported us at every stage.”

For both companies, the project reflects a broader trend, as Underwood concludes: “UK automotive is investing in advanced manufacturing capability, and this project shows how that investment is enabling long-term growth in electrification.”

More information www.ncmt.co.uk