UK NEWS

13,319 at Smart Manufacturing Week

Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 says it welcomed 13,319 attendees across two action-packed days at the NEC in Birmingham earlier this month. The event combined the latest technology with an extensive educational programme and a vibrant show floor. Adding extra flair were celebrity look-a-likes, movie robots and live music, creating a dynamic atmosphere that celebrated innovation and industry. 

With 456 exhibitors on the show floor, attendees explored hundreds of cutting-edge products and solutions driving the future of industry. Exhibitors enjoyed strong footfall across both days, supported by a steady buzz of conversation and energy. The dates for the Smart Manufacturing Week exhibitions next year have been confirmed as 3-4 June 2026. 

More information https://bit.ly/4kzvXfK

NCMT names new marketing head

With effect from May 2025, Maja Foster will become head of marketing at CNC machine tool supplier NCMT. She brings relevant experience to her new role having formerly headed the marketing function in the UK subsidiary of a global machine tool manufacturer, where she was responsible for publicising the brand across Europe.

“I’m looking forward to strengthening NCMT’s position in the marketplace and championing its capabilities,” she says. “The company is built around satisfying customer demand, which means responsive engineering support, training and lifetime back-up form a core part of the service it delivers. My role is to ensure that all of these strengths are clearly communicated in the context of the machine tool brands we represent.”More information www.ncmt.co.uk

NMITE and BAE Systems sign MoU

NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) has signed a memorandum of understanding with BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence division, signalling a commitment to work together and help bridge the engineering skills gap. NMITE places great value on employer partnerships in producing work-ready engineering graduates and this collaboration will bring invaluable challenges and expertise to the curriculum, enriching the educational journey of students and alerting them to career opportunities in the defence sector. BAE Systems is one of 10 new partners NMITE has welcomed in the past year. 

More information https://nmite.ac.uk/

Factories to See Electric Bills Cut

More than 7000 British factories are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveiled its new Industrial Strategy last week. British manufacturers currently pay some of the highest electricity prices in the developed world, but the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut electricity costs by up to £40 per MW hour for electricity-intensive businesses in sectors like automotive and aerospace.

These firms will be exempt from paying levies such as the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market. The Government is also increasing support for the most energy-intensive firms – like steel plants – by covering more of the electricity network charges they normally have to pay through the British Industry Supercharger. Such businesses currently get a 60% discount, but from 2026, it will increase to 90%.

More information www.gov.uk

Oil and gas manufacturer opts for Ibarmia

Cutting and Wear Resistant Developments Ltd, a manufacturer of specialist downhole tools for the oil and gas industry, has undergone a transformative shift in its production capabilities after investing in an Ibarmia five-axis travelling-column machining centre from Dugard. The company, led by managing director Matthew Cooper, has followed a successful growth trajectory over the past 12 years, and the introduction of this advanced CNC machine has played a pivotal role in supporting its expansion.

Prior to the arrival of the Ibarmia ZVH 45 L3000 machine, the company encountered challenges related to the complexity of its tools, lead time constraints and the efficiency of its manufacturing methods. However, the implementation of the new machine has revolutionised their operations.

The Ibarmia machine, equipped with a high-performance spindle capable of speeds up to 12,000 rpm, has enabled Cutting and Wear to reduce lead times and machining times significantly.

Mark Taylor, CNC programmer, says: “We had one tool that previously took us 11 hours to mill; on the new machine, it was reduced to just two hours.”

One of the stand-out features of the Ibarmia machine is its advanced probing capabilities. By integrating probing into the machine’s programming cycle, Cutting and Wear has eliminated the need for manual programming, further streamlining the manufacturing process.

“We can execute everything on the machine as it’s built into program, so there’s no need to remove it from the machine for inspection,” says Taylor.

The Ibarmia ZVH 45 L3000 machine from Dugard is a five-axis travelling-column machine with an X, Y and Z-axis travel of 3000 x 1200 x 800 mm, and a B-axis head range of ±105°.

More information www.dugard.com