UK NEWS

Manchester Metrology to host open day

Manchester Metrology is hosting its 2026 open day on 14 July (10:00-15:00), featuring live, hands-on demonstrations that showcase the latest additions to its range of equipment. The company is inviting visitors to its facility in Ashton-under-Lyne to take a tour of the site, meet the team, and learn how Manchester Metrology’s equipment, services and software can support businesses and projects.

Live demonstrations are set to include the latest portable arms, 3D scanners, laser trackers, CMMs and 3D printers. Tour areas will extend from the CMM room to the servicing, calibration and repair room, as well as the 3D printing room. Selected Manchester Metrology partners and suppliers will also be showcasing products. Complementary food and drinks will be available throughout the day.

More information www.manchester-metrology.co.uk

Potential For Nissan Sunderland to Build Chery Vehicles

Nissan and Chery International UK have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the study of Nissan to contract manufacture Chery passenger vehicles at its Sunderland plant. Under the terms of the non-binding MoU, the Sunderland facility would remain fully owned by Nissan, with the team at the plant employed by Nissan.

The MoU includes the possibility that Nissan would aim to begin manufacturing Chery passenger vehicles in financial year 2027. Massimiliano Messina, chairperson Nissan AMIEO, says: “This is an important step forward for our operations. We’re looking forward to working with Chery International UK in the coming months to finalise a position that is optimal for both companies.”

More information www.nissan.co.uk

Cost of Corrosion report sets out need for smarter protection

Corrosion has long been accepted as an unavoidable operational cost, but new research from Interpon Powder Coatings suggests it could represent one of manufacturing’s biggest opportunities for cost reduction and performance improvement. According to the company’s new Cost of Corrosion report, manufacturers worldwide could recover up to $875bn in preventable costs through improved corrosion protection strategies.

Published by AkzoNobel Powder Coatings, the study surveyed 1000 manufacturing leaders across multiple industries and regions to assess how businesses are balancing durability, sustainability and operational efficiency amid increasing regulatory and environmental pressures. The findings reveal that the hidden costs of corrosion extend well beyond equipment damage. Around 32% of respondents identified lost customers, product returns and reputational damage as the greatest financial impact, while 28% highlighted the environmental cost associated with waste and landfill.

The report also shows a growing recognition that corrosion protection is becoming strategically important to long-term business performance. Nearly half of manufacturers surveyed described anti-corrosion protection as essential to their operations.

Sector-specific insights indicate that EV manufacturers are leading the adoption of advanced powder coating technologies to improve durability and sustainability, while architectural manufacturers face increasing pressure to replace legacy systems with longer-lasting, environmentally compliant alternatives. Industrial equipment producers are also under pressure to modernise, although investment costs remain a challenge for some businesses.

“Corrosion protection was once seen mainly as a way to prevent product failures and financial loss,” says Jorrit van Rijn, marketing director at AkzoNobel Powder Coatings. “Today, it plays a far bigger role – helping manufacturers cut waste, improve efficiency and deliver longer-lasting, higher quality products that customers trust and value.”

More information www.bit.ly/4frXlfO

Surface finishing specialist secures NADCAP accreditation

Surface Coating Ltd has been awarded NADCAP accreditation, the globally recognised quality benchmark for special processes used across the aerospace and defence industries.

The Weymouth-based company is now one of the only providers in the south of England with this accreditation for coating and finishing processes, strengthening the region’s capability to support high-specification aerospace and defence manufacturing.

NADCAP (National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program) is an industry-managed accreditation system that verifies whether specialist processes such as coating, painting and finishing meet the stringent standards required by major aerospace manufacturers and defence contractors worldwide.

Achieving the accreditation confirms that Surface Coating Ltd’s processes meet internationally recognised requirements for quality, traceability and repeatability – key requirements for companies operating within complex global supply chains. For manufacturers, it means they can access NADCAP-accredited coating and finishing services within the south of England, rather than relying on suppliers elsewhere in the UK.

The accreditation follows significant investment by Surface Coating Ltd in its technical capabilities, quality systems and staff training. The company provides specialist finishing services including: wet spray painting, integrated finishing, powder coating and blasting.

NADCAP accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard for special processes within the aerospace sector and requires companies to pass rigorous audits and maintain strict ongoing compliance.

Tom Williamson, director of Surface Coating Ltd, says: “Achieving NADCAP accreditation is a major milestone for our business and reflects the dedication of our team to operating at the highest standards required by the aerospace and defence sectors. The process is extremely rigorous, so gaining accreditation demonstrates that our systems, processes and quality controls meet the expectations of some of the world’s most demanding industries.”

More information www.surfacecoating.co.uk

NCMT to host ‘Engineered for Power’ event

Manufacturing technology provider NCMT will host a two-day technical event at its Coventry Technology Centre on 9-10 September 2026. Entitled ‘Engineered for Power’, the event is dedicated to precision grinding and advanced manufacturing for turbine blades, vanes and high-value engine components. The new Makino G5 grinder with Pro6 control will be a central focus, combining grinding and machining in a single platform for complex component production. As the exclusive UK and Ireland partner of Makino and Okuma, the event will also highlight supporting technologies such as EDM and machining solutions.

More information www.ncmt.co.uk/event/efp