UK NEWS

NCMT Launches Five-Year Warranty

Machine tool sales and service agent NCMT has introduced an extended service warranty to
cover the Japanese-built Makino and Okuma machines it sells into the UK and Ireland.
Covered by the warranty are the supply of the manufacturer’s mechanical, electrical and
electronic components, which are replaced according to the machine’s original specification,
and NCMT’s travel and labour costs for carrying out repairs. The maximum amount that can
be claimed is up to the invoice price of the CNC machine, excluding VAT. Customers with an
existing NCMT service contract can also opt to purchase the extended warranty.
More information www.ncmt.co.uk

£0.5m Investment Drives Expansion

Hartlepool-based ExMesh Engineering is set for significant expansion this year following
investment totalling around £500,000. A specialist in metal fabrication, ExMesh Engineering
will also embark on a recruitment drive later in 2025 as it introduces a range of new services
to meet growing  customer demand. 
Investments include a new laser cutter that can process carbon steel, mild steel, stainless
steel and aluminium, while a new press brake allows ExMesh to handle intricate metal
bending and folding tasks. The company also has a cobot welding system to help support
the company’s clients, which come from sectors such as construction, architecture,
industrial and retail.
More information www.exmeshengineering.com

3D Printing Robot Centre Opens

A 3D printing robot demonstration centre has been opened by Rapid Fusion as the company
aims to build on a 25% increase in revenues. The technology specialist has completed a
£750,000 investment drive that has seen it develop two new additive manufacturing
platforms and build a dedicated facility in Exeter to showcase its solutions.
The 465 m² unit on Skypark will house the firm’s Apollo cell and its latest ZEUS creation,
which combines a 3D printing robot with CNC milling capability – providing customers with a
turnkey solution for larger moulds. In 2024, Rapid Fusion surpassed revenue of £1.7m on its
additive manufacturing platforms, which the firm says was way above expectations.
More information www.rapidfusion.co.uk

Norco is key BAE supplier

Norco has been selected as a key composites supplier to BAE Systems. The decision follows years of work and collaboration between Norco and BAE Systems, with the former demonstrating its commitment to quality, value and support.Steve Quick, boats programme lead at BAE Systems Maritime Services, says:“The selection of Norco follows a successful collaboration in the delivery of key defence assets in 2024. Working with Norco reinforces our legacy in the composite construction of specialist fabrications and will allow continued production of critical composite craft for our defence customers.”

More information www.norco.co.uk

Bentley named Top Employer

Bentley Motors has been namedon the UK Top Employer 2025 list, underscoring the company’s commitment to developing an increasingly innovative and inclusive workplace. It is the 14th consecutive year that Bentley has appeared in The Top Employer Institute’s list. This year, Bentley has been listed for exceeding benchmarks in its approach to strategic direction, working environment, learning and development, as well as diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). Bentley’s progress reflects the company’s ongoing effort to achieve key goals in its Beyond100+ strategy, announced in November 2024, alongside plans for the brand’s first fully electric car in 2026.More information www.bentleymotors.com