UK NEWS

AWI secures major nuclear quality accreditation

Successful accreditation to a prestigious quality standard is set to create £2m of global opportunities for Alloy Wire International (AWI).This UK manufacturer of precision drawn, flat and profile wire has taken just nine months to gain ISO 19443, the international benchmark for supplying critical components and material to the nuclear sector.

AWI recorded zero non-conformities during the assessment, with the business praised for its strong quality management systems, employee culture and enhanced communications strategy that was integral to the successful application.The firm’s 62-strong range of exotic alloys is in growing demand from the sector, with sales to this market increasing to 10% of the firm’s annual £16.5m turnover.

More informationwww.alloywire.com

Unlocking untapped factory capacity worth £129bn

A new report from FourJaw Manufacturing Analytics reveals that UK manufacturers could collectively unlock hidden production capacity worth up to £129 billion in additional annual output without significant investment in new equipment or staff.The report, Return on Information, reveals that large manufacturers using best-practice production data approaches, such as real-time monitoring across the factory floor, typically achieve a 16% increase in output, while SME producers usually attain 30%. It estimates that industry-wide adoption could unlock up to £67bn per year for large UK plants and £62bn for SMEs.

More information www.bit.ly/41C6ydi

AMRC Launches Scale-Up Programme

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has launched AMRC Scale-up, a new programme to help high-growth deep-tech companies scale manufacturing in defence, aerospace and energy.Matt Farnsworth, commercial director at the AMRC, says: “AMRC Scale-up provides the technical runway for the UK’s most promising deep-tech companies to bridge the gap between prototype and global supply chain.”

Unlike early-stage accelerators, the programme focuses on companies moving toward industrial production rather than product validation.Through structured technical sprint engagements with AMRC engineers, participating companies will validate production systems capable of industrial scale, strengthen supply chain and certification readiness, and embed manufacturability into growth and investment strategy.

More information www.amrc.co.uk/pages/amrc-scale-up

A new turn in performance for Cogsdill Nuneaton

Cogsdill Nuneaton Ltd has strengthened its turning operations following investment in a
DNX 2100SB multi-tasking mill-turn machine supplied by Mills CNC. Installed in December
2025, the machine is playing a central role in the company’s drive to improve efficiency,
increase capacity and move towards lights-out production.
The DNX 2100SB, one of the first installed in the UK, supports the machining of complex,
high-precision parts in a single set up. Equipped with twin spindles, a B-axis milling head, 60-
tool ATC and FANUC control, the machine also incorporates a Hydrafeed bar feeder, rotary
parts accumulator and Renishaw probing and tool-setting systems to support automated,
unattended operation.
The investment follows an internal audit of Cogsdill Nuneaton’s turning section, which
identified bottlenecks caused by ageing CNC lathes and labour-intensive processes.
According to managing director Lee Donaldson, the decision to invest in a multi-tasking
machine from Mills CNC was influenced by previous positive experience of Doosan machines
supplied by the company, as well as its strong pre- and after-sales support. Training
provided by Mills CNC ensured a smooth transition to the new FANUC-controlled platform,
helping operators and programmers quickly become productive.
Since installation, the DNX 2100SB has been busy machining small batches of precision
components for the company’s standard tooling products in a single hit, achieving tight
tolerances, excellent roundness and high surface finishes.

Ultimately, the investment marks a significant step forward in productivity, flexibility and
overall machining capability. Looking ahead, Cogsdill Nuneaton plans to expand the
machine’s role to include more complex and custom parts, while introducing overnight
unattended running.
More information www.millscnc.co.uk

10 sliding-head lathes in five years transform efficiency

Established in 1995, TWP Manufacturing Group of Tipton provides toolmaking, metal
pressings and plastic injection moulding services. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the
company introduced proprietary products to improve resilience, while continuing to
outsource many turned parts.
That changed in 2020 with the purchase of a pre-owned Citizen Cincom sliding-head lathe.
The success of this first Citizen machine prompted a strategic shift towards insourcing, and
five years on the company operates 10 pre-owned Citizen Cincom lathes. As a result, all
previously subcontracted turn-milling work has been brought in-house, while a subcontract
turning division has been established that now accounts for 30% of annual turnover.
Over the same period, turnover has increased from £2.5m to £4.2m, while headcount has
reduced by 20% to 28 employees, more than doubling revenue per person. According to
joint owner Phil Stanley, Citizen Machinery UK has supported every stage of the journey,
from initial installation through to refurbishment and alignment of subsequent machines.
Ongoing investment in Citizen Cincom lathes of varying capacities has enabled TWP to
match jobs to machine capability, reduce lead times and adopt just-in-time manufacturing.
The addition of a Citizen Miyano fixed-head lathe has further expanded capacity, allowing
components up to 64 mm diameter to be machined in a single set up.
Although pre-owned, the Citizen lathes continue to deliver high levels of accuracy, with TWP
routinely achieving tight tolerances and long tool life. Today, the company machines around
800,000 components annually on its Citizen machines, primarily in mild and stainless steel,
underlining the productivity and reliability of the brand.
More information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk