UK NEWS

At Least Six New Warships To Be Built For Royal Navy

At least six new warships will be built for the Royal Navy under the Defence Investment Plan, delivering the UK’s most advanced maritime air defence capability and keeping British shipyards working for decades to come. The Common Combat Vessel (CCV) will replace the current fleet of six Type 45 destroyers, with delivery expected from the early 2030s. Unlike its predecessors, the British-built CCV will act as a control hub for uncrewed systems, extending the Navy’s reach, resilience and firepower without a proportional increase in crew or cost. More information www.gov.uk

Vocational Celebration Day To Salutes UK’s Young

TV host and former Black+Decker apprentice Steph McGovern is set to host the UK’s first Vocational Celebration Day on 6 August 2026. The new initiative, powered by the former Sector Skills Council Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, is designed to shine a spotlight on the important contributions of vocational training and skilled trades to the nation’s prosperity. The day, set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, honours those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

More information www.enginuity.org/vocational-celebration-day

Pulling a Historic Steam Locomotive For Charity

Alstom, a global specialist in smart and sustainable mobility, is celebrating after one of its depot teams successfully completed a unique charity challenge earlier this month by pulling a 25‑tonne historic steam locomotive entirely by hand at Didcot Railway Centre. A total of 16 colleagues based at Great Western Railway’s Reading Depot pulled No. 1340 Trojan, built in 1897, along a 250 m stretch of track continuously for an hour.

Clocking up 1500 m, the test of endurance raised vital funds for Variety, the Children’s Charity as the team were cheered on by visitors to the Oxfordshire railway museum. ‘Pulling with Purpose: The Steam Locomotive Challenge’ was the brainchild of Che McCarthy, project supply chain leader at Alstom: “We’ve brought together colleagues, partners and the public to support Variety, and that’s something we’re really proud of.”Donate at www.tinyurl.com/4kwwt2z6

Dan Thombs Named CEO At Automate UK

Automate UK has appointed Dan Thombs as its new CEO, tasked with accelerating the organisation’s reach and impact across the complete industrial ecosystem. He succeeds Peter Williamson, who has taken on the role of policy director further to reaching the end of his term. Thombs brings 30 years of experience in automation and advanced manufacturing to the role. As a neutral, not-for-profit organisation, Automate UK has no vested or commercial interest of its own.

“Our ambition is to make Automate UK the leading force for automation adoption, helping manufacturers unlock productivity, competitiveness and sustainable growth,” he says. “Through stronger collaboration between technology providers, integrators and end users, we can drive innovation that benefits manufacturing in the UK and beyond.”

More information www.automate-uk.com

Gewefa Changes Name To Nydaloxe Precision

Wiltshire-based tooling specialist Gewefa UK has completed a major corporate rebranding, officially changing its name to Nydaloxe Precision. Operating under the slogan ‘Tool Holding Without Limit’, the firm has adopted a new identity that reflects the evolution in its commercial direction since its establishment in 1991. 

While early focus was on delivering a comprehensive range of high-precision spindle-nose tool holders manufactured by German parent company, Gewefa GmbH, the UK firm ceased to be a subsidiary some time ago. It is now an independent entity with a considerably broadened range that caters to a more extensive spectrum of applications. The portfolio includes driven/static turning tool holders, precision collet chucks, heat-shrink systems, spindle tool clamping systems, angle heads, speeders and multi-spindle heads.
More information www.nydaloxeprecision.com