UK NEWS

Starrag celebrates highly positive MACH exhibition

Last month’s MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham proved a resounding success for Starrag with high-quality enquiries and stand visitor numbers far exceeding previous MACH exhibitions. On the stand, the Swiss machine manufacturer presented a complex turbine head that can be fully machined to high quality standards in a rapid cycle time on the company’s Bumotec 191neo turn-mill machine.

With a reputation in sectors from aerospace and power generation to the offshore sector, the Bumotec 191neo turn-mill centre was one of the few machines from the Starrag portfolio small enough to fit on a stand at MACH. Regardless, the machine, which is known as the ‘Swiss Army Knife‘ of small part machining, demonstrated its seven axes and flexibility, enticing visitors with the opportunities it presents for complex one-hit machining in sectors such as luxury goods, medical technology, micromechanics and avionics.

The Bumotec 191neo is characterised by productivity and precision. In addition to its stability, this is also due to the high torque of the Starrag milling spindle, the fast tool changer and the thermal properties.

Commenting on the MACH exhibition, Starrag UK’s sales director Lee Scott said: “MACH was another huge success for Starrag UK, where the quality and quantity of enquiries was exceptional. As a marquee brand, we’re recognised by manufacturers in all sectors. However, the beauty of having a compact Bumotec 191neo on the stand was the awareness it presented to our larger part manufacturing customers of the sheer diversity of our portfolio. With the Bumotec 191neo enjoying major success in the Irish medical industry, as well as the luxury goods markets worldwide, we took a lot of enquiries that revolved around the one-hit machining of complex small parts.”

More information www.starrag.com

Middlesex Aerospace soars to new heights with Mazak

Middlesex Aerospace has made a significant investment in its multi-tasking machining capabilities following the installation of a Yamazaki Mazak INTEGREX i-250H.

Established in Middlesex in 1945 and now based in Hampshire, the organisation is a tier-one supplier of critical components and assemblies to aerospace OEMs all around the world. It employs more than 100 people and has established itself in the production of Class 1 safety-critical parts and assemblies used in landing gear, actuation systems and helicopter transmissions.

By investing in an INTEGREX i-250H multi-tasking turn-mill centre, Middlesex Aerospace aims to boost production capacity for its existing customers, both in the UK and overseas.

“With demand surging for complex, small components across the aerospace sector, we knew we had to enhance our capabilities in this area,” explains chief executive Laurence Foulds. “As this was our first new Mazak machine investment in six years, it was important we upgraded to a machine capable of meeting customer requirements. Considering we’ve worked with Mazak as our principal machinery partner for more than 25 years, it was only natural we chose the INTEGREX i-250H as the latest addition to our factory floor.”

The INTEGREX i-250H is the high-speed, high-torque option from Mazak’s flagship range. It features an eight-inch chuck and is equipped with a 5000 rpm, 22kW main spindle and 12,000 rpm milling spindle.

“Thanks to the precision of its multiple cutting processes, the INTEGREX i-250H will play a critical role in our high-mix, low-volume production of complex components for the aerospace industry,” adds Foulds. “We expect to follow this with further investments in larger Mazak machines over the coming years, as manufacturing demands within the sector continue to grow.”

More information www.mazak.com/uk-en

Carfulan Group secures orders worth £1m at MACH

A UK provider of advanced metrology and manufacturing solutions has hailed its best ever sales return at the recent MACH exhibition in Birmingham after securing nearly £1m of new orders. Carfulan Group saw deals signed across many of its major brands, including Metrios, OGP, VICIVISION and ZOLLER. In total 1810 enquiries were taken during the five days of the show, with many of these now progressing into on-site visits at customer sites or demonstrations at its Advanced Innovation Centre in Derbyshire. Carfulan is confident these leads will eventually boost the order tally to over £3m.

More information www.carfulan.com

Manufacturers lose a month a year awaiting decisions

UK manufacturing businesses are losing the equivalent of a full working month each year because decisions take too long, according to new research commissioned by The Meetings Show. The findings come from the UK Productivity Gap Index, a new study based on a survey of 1000 UK business leaders. Conducted in partnership with The Business of Events, it reveals how everyday collaboration challenges are quietly slowing organisations down. The research will be explored further in a fascinating session at The Meetings Show at the Excel, London on 24-25 June 2026.

More information www.themeetingsshow.com

MACH Machine Tools secures 11 orders at MACH

MACH Machine Tools put on a show to remember at last month’s MACH 2026 exhibition in Birmingham. Over 1000 visitors attended the company’s stand over the five days of the show, resulting in 11 machine orders, comprising eight new and three preowned models.

Said Dave Andrew, managing director of The Vigilance Group, of which MACH Machine Tools is part: “MACH, although it only comes around every two years, is a big investment for us, so it’s important that we optimise our attendance by making sure we get the balance of technologies right and relevant. All the feedback we received, during and after the event, confirmed that we achieved these objectives.”

More information www.machinetoolsalesonline.com