Machine Building is our central focus this month. Modern machine building is complex and multidisciplinary, as demonstrated in this section, covering topics as diverse as machinery regulation, electronics & power, machine safety, 3D printing, fluid & adhesive dispensing, and featuring Bureau Veritas, REO UK, Midlands 3D, Stober Drives, and many, many more.
Kicking off this section, I report on my recent factory trip to Finland, courtesy of ABB Motion to celebrate the release of its expended range of synchronous reluctance motors and learn more of about the company’s campaign to decarbonise industry.
In a timely cover story as cybercrime instances accelerate across manufacturing, Bosch Rexroth, addresses how growing threat of cyberattack is now also joined by penalties for non-compliance.
Elsewhere in this issue, we have thought leadership pieces from BARA and BPMA, and in our Business Operations section, we share advice for Lloyds and Barclays.
Our Manufacturing Champion for November worked for nearly decade at the MTC, helping shape UK industrial policy, and have since supported manufacturers with digital transformation projects at major software company.
I hope you enjoy this issue.
@Mepca-magazine
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Oliver Batt, Editor
MRPeasy Named Best Overall Manufacturing Software of 2025 by Software Advice
In addition to the top title, the SMEoriented MRPeasy was also awarded: Best Overall Manufacturing Execution System (MES); Best Customer Support for Manufacturing Inventory Management Software; Best Value for Money MRP Software; and Best Value for Money Metal Fabrication Software.
“Recognition in Gartner’s companies’ rankings has always been one of our key marketing goals,” said Sara Duff, UK Business Development Manager at MRPeasy. “As the most visited software review platforms in the world, their endorsement is a true mark of quality.”
Software Advice is part of Gartner’s network of software review platforms, which also includes GetApp and Capterra. Backed by Software Advice’s comprehensive and objective research, this report includes insights from verified user reviews, a team of software advisors, and their conversations with thousands of active software buyers.
Across Gartner’s review platforms, MRPeasy has received ratings from 144
verified users, achieving an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars. Customers particularly highlight MRPeasy’s ease of use, broad functionality and excellent customer support.
“Since we started using MRPeasy, we have achieved over 100% growth in revenue and have almost tripled our employee count from 25 to 70,” reported Chris Landen, Operations Manager at Exacta Technologies, a computer hardware manufacturer from Bristol.
Recently, MRPeasy surpassed the 500 active client milestone in the UK. Globally,
they serve more than 2,100 clients in over 60 countries, most of them based in Englishspeaking markets. Recent customer surveys show that MRPeasy users achieve significant improvements after implementation, including, on average 67% better inventory tracking accuracy; 54% growth in overall operational efficiency; 42% improved cost control; and 39% increase in on-time deliveries.
Visit the company’s website to learn more and start a free trial. mrpeasy.co.uk
Mitsubishi Electric Strengthens Security
Business by Acquiring Nozomi Networks
Mitsubishi Electric has acquired Nozomi Networks, a global leader in the provision of Operational Technology (OT) security solutions.
The acquisition will combine Mitsubishi Electric’s OT expertise with Nozomi Networks’s advanced security technology and longstanding sector experience in the manufacturing and social infrastructure industries. Together, the two companies intend to deliver a high-value “One-Stop OT Security Solution” to protect on-site equipment and systems from cyber attacks.
The announcement follows an earlier collaboration agreement between both organisations in 2024 and reinforces the increasing importance of OT security measures to digital transformation strategies. Widespread digitalisation has also increased the number of cyber attacks in the OT domain, with 43% of businesses having experienced some form of cyber security breach or attack in the past 12 months 1
Nozomi Networks’s technology will enhance the monitoring of communication between devices connected in the OT network whilst also improving the detection of anomalies through data collection, visualisation and analysis. The collaboration will also accelerate the growth of Mitsubishi Electric’s SerendieTM digital platform, whilst enhancing its cyber security credentials.
Satoshi Takeda, Mitsubishi Electric Senior Vice President, CDO, Chief Information Officer and Board Member at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, said: “We are excited to welcome Nozomi to the Mitsubishi Electric family. Their cutting-edge OT security technology and rapid development philosophy have earned them a strong reputation.
“By combining Nozomi’s strengths with
Mitsubishi Electric’s extensive expertise and capabilities in OT, I believe we can achieve even more. This acquisition will enable us to co-create valuable new services whilst supporting Nozomi’s commitment to innovation and customer flexibility. Together, we can help our customers achieve their digital transformation goals whilst enhancing security, efficiency, and resilience.”
Oliver Selby, BARA Chairperson and Head of Sales at FANUC UK, proposes a mentorship strategy, in which larger corporations encourage and support SMEs, as a powerful catalyst for improving the adoption of automation across the UK supply chain.
UK manufacturing needs to bolster its domestic automation systems integration (SI) supplier base. Key to this is the formation of strategic partnerships between large corporations and the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within their supply chain. Large manufacturers also need to engage with SMEs within their component parts tier supply chain and push them towards automation solutions to boost their competitivity against imports. This collaborative, multi-tier approach is vital for overcoming existing challenges in automation adoption such as skills availability, a lack of commitment to invest and a lack of general ambition for advanced manufacturing.
Large corporations and SMEs: a symbiotic relationship
Encouraging large corporations to work with and mentor local SME tier suppliers’ partners could be a powerful catalyst for growth. Large corporations often possess substantial financial resources, market reach and established infrastructure. However, they can sometimes lack the agility, specialised niche expertise and innovative spark that characterises many SMEs. Conversely, SMEs, while innovative and nimble, frequently struggle with funding, scalability and market access.
Partnerships between the two offer mutual benefits that strengthen the UK automation sector. For corporations, SMEs provide cutting-edge, bespoke solutions without the internal heavy R&D burden. Collaborating locally also enhances supply chain resilience, reduces dependency on global suppliers and supports efficiency through flexible, cost-effective solutions. Joint projects foster
knowledge transfer, as larger firms share expertise in project management, quality control and scaling. Moreover, supporting SMEs aligns with Corporate Social Responsibility, boosting local economies and skills development. For SMEs, these collaborations could unlock access to capital, resources and advanced equipment, along with muchneeded access to projects. Mentorship from established firms accelerates their growth and capabilities, while association with reputable corporations builds credibility and wider market access. Partnerships also spread project risk and encourage innovation by pushing SMEs to deliver more sophisticated and larger solutions.
Government support
Help from Automate UK
Work done over recent years by trade associations like Automate UK to accelerate automation adoption by acting as advocates and knowledge hubs has paid dividends. Through lobbying government for a robust industrial strategy, automation now forms part of multiple key pillars. We hope as an organisation this engagement will lead to tax incentives for SMEs, R&D and adoption grants, and multi-faceted workforce investment. Automate UK has also made new membership types available to different stakeholders – for example, manufacturing end-users of automation and education providers – to strengthen the ecosystem needed for partnerships to flourish.
However, challenges must be tackled for partnerships to thrive. Investment hesitancy will only be overcome by stronger government incentives, tax allowances and successful case studies. The skills gap demands more apprenticeships, vocational training and industry-led content in academic programmes. Risk perception can be reduced through best practice sharing and case studies of corporate success stories. By strategically fostering partnerships, the UK can create a dynamic ecosystem where large corporations and innovative SMEs collectively drive the development and delivery of advanced automation systems, leading to substantial productivity gains and a robust industrial future.
For more information about partnerships and supply chain development, contact Automate UK or join us at our conference in November.
Automate-uk.com
UK Must Crack Down on Non-Compliant Pumps
Non-compliant circulation pumps not only endanger end users, but their poor performance also increases costs and hampers net zero targets. Wayne Rose, CEO of British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), lays out why the UK must tackle this growing problem now.
Across the UK, circulation pumps play a vital role in both domestic and commercial heating and hot water systems. These unassuming pieces of equipment are essential to energy efficiency, safety, and the smooth running of countless homes and businesses. Yet, despite their importance, the market is being undermined by a steady influx of cheap imports from the Far East; products that fail to meet the safety and energy efficiency standards required by UK law. This is a matter of serious concern, not only for pump manufacturers and suppliers, but also for end-users, the environment and the Government’s wider net zero ambitions.
The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) has long championed the importance of compliance, but the scale of the problem has reached a point where stronger intervention is required. Too often, policing authorities have allowed noncompliant products to slip through the net. It is not enough simply to set standards; those standards must be actively enforced. That means blocking illegal imports at the border and, crucially, ensuring that non-compliant pumps already sitting on merchants’ shelves are removed from circulation. Allowing these products to remain in the marketplace not only disadvantages responsible manufacturers, but also misleads customers into purchasing equipment that will ultimately cost them more.
The attraction of cheaper imports is understandable on the surface. In tough economic times, both merchants and end-users are looking to save money. But opting for non-compliant pumps is a false economy. While they may be available at a lower upfront cost, these products typically fail to deliver on durability, reliability and
energy performance. Over the life cycle of a pump, the energy it consumes far outweighs the initial purchase price. A poorly performing, non-compliant pump can significantly increase running costs, eroding any supposed savings and placing an unnecessary burden on households and businesses alike.
More importantly, the efficiency gap has broader consequences. Circulation pumps account for a considerable proportion of electrical energy use across the UK’s built environment. Every percentage point of improvement in pump efficiency translates to real, measurable reductions in energy demand. Conversely, every non-compliant pump that finds its way into the market locks in wasted energy consumption for years to come. At a time when the UK is striving to meet its legally binding net zero targets, allowing such inefficiency to persist is simply untenable.
The solution is clear. UK authorities must step up their efforts to prevent these products entering the supply chain and must work in close partnership with industry to root them out where they already exist. Proper enforcement will not only protect consumers but also safeguard the integrity of our market and help the nation deliver on its environmental commitments.
The BPMA will continue to play its part by lobbying Government, regulators and enforcement agencies. We are committed to ensuring that only fully compliant circulation
pumps are available to UK customers, and we will not relent in calling out practices that threaten both industry standards and the country’s climate goals.
The stakes are high. This is not just about protecting British manufacturers from unfair competition. It is about safeguarding consumers from poor-quality products, cutting long-term energy costs, and doing our part to reduce carbon emissions. The time for complacency is over – what we need now is action.
For more information and to find a list of certified BPMA members, visit: bpma.org.uk
Manufacturing Champion of the Month
This month’s manufacturing champion has long supported digital innovation in UK manufacturing, helping to shape UK policy at MTC and supporting individual companies with digital transformation. Introducing Lina Huertas, Industry Executive for Manufacturing at Microsoft UK.
Over the last 15 years, Lina has been at the forefront of manufacturing’s digital revolution, delivering simulation and data-based industrial projects, and helping companies to adopt new technologies as part of the wider goal of improving UK manufacturing’s global competitiveness.
Talking with MEPCA’s editor Oliver Batt, Lina said that her interest in digital technologies was sparked at an early age when she was fortunate to have been taught coding at school, and she carried this interest through into higher education. “When I was doing my mechanical engineering degree, they had quite a big emphasis on programming and getting us to use (rather than see) the kind of digital tools that enable the actual engineering process.”
While curiosity for how things work and how the latest tools can improve processes is second nature to engineers, how this carries over into an organisation when it comes to digital adoption and transformation is often a challenge. Indeed, in her current role at Microsoft UK advising manufacturers, the challenges she sees most commonly are not of a technical nature, but rather organisational and cultural.
Part of what hampers digital transformation projects, Lina explained, is what is termed “shadow IT” where individual projects occur in silos rather than as part of wider digital transformation initiatives, whereas we should “look at it a bit more systematically to make sure that you’re building the foundations and connecting all of these initiatives so you can accelerate it and get people to get more value out of it.”
A siloed approach is not only inefficient, it prevents the full potential of the technologies
being realised. Using AI as a prime example, Lina explained, “AI is underpinned by data. And when you just have silos of data, then that limits the power of AI. Whilst if you’re building a foundation where you’re bringing together all the data across the business, then it is game changing.”
On whether AI is perhaps overshadowing other important digital technologies, she thinks not, as “AI is the thing that unlocks the value” of digital innovation; “I think everyone who’s looking at AI seriously is not just looking at AI, they’re working on those foundations, on their infrastructure, on data, which is the lifeblood of AI, on security, all of these topics.”
Beyond AI, Lina highlighted new materials development is an area of particular interest. It remains an incredibly manual field, with engineers drawing on data from existing materials to test numerous material hypotheses.
“What we’re interested in at the moment, from a digital perspective,” she said, “is how can we accelerate that process so we can leverage data to test more and better hypotheses.”
By improving this process increasing the volume of hypotheses tested, digitalisation can drive physical material innovation. Some material trends she’s interested in are smart materials, architected materials, multimaterials and biomaterials.
When asked what advice she’d give to manufacturers embarking on digital transformation projects, Lina explained that organisations should encourage employees to “get their hands dirty with AI,” and other tools. By being given the space to become familiar with digital tools – much like students – employees become confident with use and are more likely to champion the technology, driving adoption.
“The minimum and the easiest starting point is just to start empowering people with these tools, so that they can learn how to use them and actually see the value of it because those two things, seeing the value and learning, are critical in the journey.”
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Cybersecurity: the New Priority in Automation
As industrial automation becomes more sophisticated and interconnected, it creates systemvulnerabilities that are being exploited by cybercriminals for financial gain. To address this, governments are making cyber security mandatory, with penalties for non-compliance. Fortunately, Bosch Rexroth develops industrial automation systems that are secure by design.
Automation is smarter than ever. But with intelligence comes risk. Connected machines, digital platforms and remote access are transforming manufacturing, and at the same time opening doors to cyber threats. Weak passwords, unpatched software or unsecured interfaces can all be exploited. The financial damage runs into billions every year.
For industry, the message is clear: cybersecurity is no longer optional, it’s the foundation of reliable, future-proof production.
A new regulatory landscape
Governments are stepping up. Around the world, stricter regulations are being introduced to protect critical infrastructure and industry from escalating cyberattacks.
The EU’s Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is a prime example, and a game-changer for machine builders and suppliers.
The CRA covers all products with digital components that connect to a network. It demands security from the design stage onwards:
• Risk assessments during development.
• Products secure by default and capable of updates.
• Mandatory reporting of serious vulnerabilities within 24 hours.
The penalties are severe. Non-compliance can bring fines of up to €15 million or 2.5% of global turnover. Products may even be withdrawn from the market or restricted. Crucially, sanctions can apply even for technical oversights such as incomplete documentation.
“The CRA sets mandatory cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers and resellers throughout the product lifecycle. With ctrlX OS we are already well prepared. Customers can be confident that our products set them up for the future,”
In short, the CRA makes cybersecurity mandatory. Those who act early will be best placed to stay compliant and competitive.
Bosch Rexroth’s answer:
ctrlX OS
Bosch Rexroth has been preparing for this shift for years. Its ctrlX OS, a Linux-based
operating system, has been designed with cybersecurity at its core.
Secure by design and by default, ctrlX OS is certified to IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2, providing full protection for stored, transferred and processed data. This enables rapid, reliable security updates without interrupting operations.
What sets ctrlX OS apart is its openness. It’s available not only on Bosch Rexroth devices but also for third-party automation components. That means an entire ecosystem of machines can benefit from the same high level of protection.
“The CRA sets mandatory cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers and resellers throughout the product lifecycle. With ctrlX OS we are already well prepared. Customers can be confident that our products set them up for the future,” says Steffen Winkler, Senior Vice President Sales, Automation & Electrification Solutions, Bosch Rexroth.
ctrlX CORE – security in action
The ctrlX CORE control system is a flagship example of ctrlX OS in action. Built to be secure as standard, it offers strict password rules and user authentication, while ensuring compliance with the latest international standards. ctrlX OS is also supported as standard with regular vulnerability remediation and secure updates, and it’s equipped with authorised access control for sensitive data.
Security can be strengthened even further with apps from the ctrlX OS Store. These include:
Together, these tools give manufacturers everything they need to meet the CRA’s requirements while protecting operations day to day.
Protecting brownfield environments
Cybersecurity isn’t just about the latest kit. Many plants run older machines that remain vital to production. Retrofitting these with modern protection is often the biggest challenge.
This is where ctrlX CORE really shows its value. It can be used as a security gateway, bringing advanced defences to legacy machines and third-party systems.
“To meet the CRA requirements and defend against increasing cyberattacks, it’s essential to safeguard existing equipment. ctrlX CORE integrates modern cybersecurity into older systems – a key advantage in brownfield environments,” adds Winkler.
Beyond technology –building cyber resilience
Technology is vital, but people and processes matter too. Bosch Rexroth supports manufacturers with services that strengthen their overall resilience:
• Threat analysis and risk assessments.
• Security scans and compliance checks.
• Training programmes to build IT security skills.
• Tailored strategies to meet specific business needs.
This holistic approach ensures companies don’t just buy secure products; they embed cybersecurity into their culture and operations.
Security as a competitive advantage
The automation sector is advancing rapidly, but with that progress comes a
stark truth: every new connection is a potential vulnerability. Regulations such as the CRA are forcing companies to rethink their approach – making cybersecurity the backbone of modern automation.
Bosch Rexroth is responding with products like ctrlX OS and ctrlX CORE that are secure by design, compliant with new legislation, and adaptable across both new and existing environments. Backed by consulting, services and training, these solutions enable manufacturers not only to meet regulatory requirements but to build long-term resilience.
As Winkler concludes:
“We are aligning all products and services to ensure companies comply with regulations and design their systems to be secure and robust for the long term. That’s the only way to be ready for the future.” boschrexroth.co.uk
Focus On: Machine Building
Empowering Industry
One Motor at a Time
MEPCA’s editor reports on his recent trip to Vaasa, the Nordic energy hub, to visit ABB Motion’s state-of-the-art factory and learn more about the company’s campaign to revolutionise efficiency and decarbonise industry, as it extends its range of synchronous reluctance motors.
It begun somewhat ominously with a mechanical failure at Heathrow Airport. Fortunately, this was not on the plane I had just boarded with a host of journalists from around Europe, bound for Vaasa in Finland, to tour one of ABB Motion’s cutting-edge production facilities.
At fault were the mobile stairs we’d used to board, which had since broken down in the way of the plane, preventing take-off. As I expect was on the minds of many my colleagues, given our reason for journeying to Vaasa, I wondered whether the failure was motor-related? What type of motor was it? How efficient was it?
This was realm of ABB Motion, a global leader in motors and drives, continually innovating to improve motor efficiency and expand its portfolio. The company has pioneered IE rating, which is used to determine energy efficiency; the greater the number, the more efficient the motor. Where much of the industry is catching up to IE3, ABB is pushing forwards to IE6, before the classification can even be formalised.
Whatever the issue was with the mobile stairs, it was eventually resolved, and we made it safely to Vaasa, located on the western coast of Finland. As well as being the cultural and tourist centre of Western Finland, Vaasa is known as the Nordic Energy Capital. So called because a significant portion of Finnish and Scandinavian energy technology is based in the region, with a network of 180 companies and 13,000 people dedicated to innovation in energy technology, supported by local universities, of which there are 6, and the surrounding municipalities.
The energy technology sector has a wellestablished history in the area, and ABB’s history is likewise entwined with Vaasa. This
was very apparent on landing at Vaasa’s airport and seeing an ABB banner in the arrival lounge. ABB has, in fact, held a presence in Vaasa since 1944, when founder Gottfrid Strömberg built the first factory to produce cage induction motors. As we were to see first-hand, it had come a long way since then.
Opening the presentations at the ABB Motion HQ the following day, Harri Mykkanen, Regional Hub Manager EU & Americas welcomed us to Vaasa, which he assured us is one of the happiest cities in the world, which could have a bearing on why the city is a fertile ground for energy technology innovation, attracting global talent with over 100 languages spoken by those that live, work, and study here.
Harri handed over to Stefan Floeck, Division President, IEC, to provide a toplevel overview of ABB as a global power house, and he highlighted the organisations commitment to using their domain expertise to help lower global emissions and create a more sustainable future.
Stefan explained that there are more than 300 million industrial motors in use today, with that number set to double by 2040. To put it into perspective, 45% of the world’s energy is converted into motion. The problem is that the baseline efficiency rate of these motors is very low.
“So, the largest potential for reduction in electricity consumption [and] emissions is simply to replace the motors or use more energy efficient one[s].” In addition to this, there are of course ways of adapting the efficiency of motors using drive and control technology – an area ABB also excel at.
ABB’s message was clear from the off: climate change is a reality, and decarbonisation is strategic imperative. Improving motor efficiency is one of the most obvious and effective ways of combating this.
The reason ABB had invited assembled a room of manufacturing and engineering journalists from across Europe and the UK was the other important factor: communicating this to industry, which, as well as the obvious commercial objective, is key to driving positive change.
From challenge to opportunity
Ivor Vidgen, Head of Strategy & Business Development, IEC Low Voltage Motors,
took to the floor to first to reinforce the gravity of climate change, but also to share the company’s excitement in their next step milestone in making a “meaningful contribution to the fight against temperature rise and climate change.”
The picture he painted was, however, a bleak one. Global emissions hit a new record high of 37.41 gigatonnes, and 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded. We are on course to breaching the Paris Agreement and heading towards a 2.8% temperature rise by the end of the century. These unnerving facts were hammered home by their affects: ecological collapse, mass extinction events, population displacement, but perhaps most startling of all as it wasn’t a metric I was aware of, was that the days
between billion-dollar catastrophes was shortening dramatically. As Ivan explained: “[In] 1970, the world had on average 85 days between such billion-dollar events. And that has come down last year to 50.”
It was clear that the purpose here was not to sow hopelessness, but to reinforce the urgency of decarbonisation, and why global industry must double down on its efficiency efforts. Amidst the pessimism, Ivor pointed out there was also a clear opportunity here, as in the current economic landscape, energy efficiency is increasingly being recognised as a business advantage.
Referring to a study undertaken by the International Energy Association, of the thousands of G20 business leaders surveyed, 80% recognised the benefit of upgrading their assets, and that billions were available in savings if the assets across these businesses operations could be made more efficient.
This is where ABB’s new smaller, SynRM ultra-efficient motors come in. The lighter industries that typically require smaller motors still account for a significant portion of this market and energy consumption, but further to that, they impact a greater number of people.
“While these [light] industries account for roughly a quarter of total energy consumption in the energy mix, they do employ more than two-thirds of the workforce in the 20 countries.” Making lighter industries more efficient not only plays a role in decarbonisation, it also protects jobs in an increasingly competitive environment.
Modularity
To delve further into the solution, Daniel Eberli, Business Line Manager, Process Performance Motors who detailed how and ABBs motor offering has evolved over the last 15 years.
In 2011, ABB pioneered magnet-free synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motor technology with IE4 (Super-Premium efficiency). In 2019, its portfolio evolved to offer IE5 UltraPremium efficiency before introducing Increased Safety, Liquid-cooled versions in 2023, and then improved this further in 2024 with IE6 options.
The next milestone they’ve reached is the smaller SynRM range (frame sizes 90, 100, 112), which now enables ABB to provide a more complete size range, from frame
size 90 to 350, significantly widening their applicability and market reach.
Beyond the industry leading efficiency, another important characteristic of ABB’s synchronous reluctance motors range is their modularity. By having what Daniel called “technological building blocks” they enable motors to be more readily adapted for purpose. For example, if the motor must work in an increased safety capacity, it can be re-housed in a safer casing.
Daniel: “What is also important to know about synchronous reluctance technology, it has very high potential for power density”. Meaning that frame size doesn’t have to dictate the capabilities of the motor.
The ramifications of this modularity are significant – it would enable, for example an OEM machine builder to create more power machines without increasing the size; alternatively, they’d be able to reduce their size without losing power.
IEC LV Motors factory, Vaasa
As we toured the factory, which spans 36,000 m2 and employs a thousand people, including 200 summer interns, I was struck by the sheer variety of motors I saw. This is unsurprising, given that the factory produces circa 125,000 motors annually, with 25,000 variants.
At the assembly station the level of customisation was made ever more apparent. Each model before us had been specifically built for a customer using JIT production principles, to minimise material and energy consumption. Our guide explained that ABB has 40,000 basic
models, with each customisable to 600 options, and beyond this to more specific, individual requirements. The permutations possible were mind boggling.
It is this flexibility of offering that separates the factory from other ABB factories globally; here, they are equipped to flexibly meet premium demand, delivering the exact solution a customer requires.
ABB in the UK
Following the tour, I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with David Hawley, Global Head of Sales, Low Voltage IEC Motors on emerging trends in the UK market.
While the UK remains a significant market, he explained, “ABB, as a motor provider, generally supplies our product to original equipment manufacturers so we rely on that manufacturing heartland to really deliver our product.” Something, which of course, has declined in the UK. They do, however, have several high-end manufacturers delivering global solutions, acting more as consultative engineers.
David: “But what is interesting to us and something we work with, there are constant startups, technical startups, a lot based around the energy and the environmental industry. We see a lot of that north of Scotland and around that area in things like wave, wind, tidal.”
ABB frequently get involved in startups, in the technology aspect, but they don’t always see it through to fulfilment, as these startups “get sucked into a bigger organisation as startups do.”
Demonstrating ABB’s domain expertise, David explained that these innovative
startups frequently approach ABB for advice, and not just for the motors, but other products too.
It was also reassuring to hear from David that “[the] UK has definitely bought into the energy efficiency program and the adoption of IE4 and higher has been, would say, on the high side compared to Europe.”
A particular market buying into this is automative, where car plants are replacing the motors in their extractor fan systems with more efficient SynRM motors.
Looking forwards, David highlighted several emerging market opportunities for ABB, including both data centres and renewed interest in nuclear energy. For the latter, David said, “not every motor manufacturer can provide motors that will work in a nuclear environment,” but, of
course, ABB have models that can.
When it comes to data centres, they have effectively shifted from air-cooling to watercooling, which also gives ABB an advantage as “Water-cooled requires pumps; pumps are [ABB’s] sweet spot.” Furthermore, due to the incredible energy demand of data centres, which places such a strain on the grid, pocket, on-site nuclear plants are being considered. A combination of challenges, that few other manufacturers would have a portfolio of solutions to resolve.
Jäähyväiset
I left Vaasa with a renewed awareness of how ubiquitous motors are in industry, alongside a jarring mix of optimism and pessimism for the sustainability of manufacturing. If motor efficiency is improved as standard, it would seem like an easy win for decarbonisation; but if adoption is too slow and key markets are reluctant to embrace it to any meaningful extent, it will prevent this campaign getting off of the ground as surely as broken-down stairs in front of an airplane. Continued education of businesses supported with real world examples will therefore be crucial in the coming years.
As climate change, sustainability, Net Zero are being tossed about for political point-scoring, engineers on the frontline will continue to try and solve the real-world problems that result from it through the most logical means: improving efficiency. In this, ABB are determined to lead with purpose and empower change.
new.abb.com/about/our-businesses/ motion
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Low Flow Dosing with High Precision
Precision liquid dosing is essential in many manufacturing processes. Without it, product quality, repeatability and efficiency are compromised. By employing a dosing solution with an integrated flow meter, manufacturers can ensure accurate dosing every time, as Bronkhorst, the low-flow technology expert, explains here.
In the food, pharma and chemical manufacturing industries, precision and efficiency are of utmost importance. With the use of often expensive liquids, it is essential to dose accurately and repeatably to achieve the highest possible quality of the end product with minimal waste. It almost goes without saying that the latter contributes to cost reduction.
Bronkhorst High-Tech, a leader in compact flow meters and controllers with over 40 years of experience in low-flow technology, has developed a flexible solution that meets today’s requirements for highly accurate dosing, whether continuous, in ratio, or in batches.
Innovative liquid dosing solutions
One of Bronkhorst’s latest innovations is a versatile solution designed to meet the precise liquid dosing needs of various industries, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals and food production. This solution combines a flow meter and a pump to create an efficient feedback control system, ensuring accurate and repeatable dosing.
Bronkhorst modular liquid dosing solution (MLDS)
Key features and benefits:
Customisation: at the heart of this solution are the liquid flow meter and the pump, which together form the core of the system. This combination ensures precise and stable dosing, delivering flows ranging from 50 mg/h to
1000 kg/h, depending on the configuration. Additionally, the system offers numerous options such as a PLC/HMI for user-friendly operation, filters to remove particles from the liquid, safety valves, and an optional automated bypass. This bypass allows the pump to deliver very stable small flows down to a few droplets per hour, adapting to various process needs with great flexibility.
Versatility: it supports continuous flow control, ratio control, and rapid batch dosing, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from medicine research to aroma dosing in sweets to catalysis pilot plants.
Precision: accurate dosing is crucial for maintaining product quality and consistency. This solution excels in this area, making it an indispensable tool for industries where precision, up to an accuracy of 0.2% of reading flow, is paramount.
Integration: the system can be seamlessly integrated with existing
processes, enhancing overall efficiency and effectivity. The elementary components are mounted in a robust frame and the system can be electrically connected to any main PLC/HMI of the existing process.
Safety features: options for overpressure valves and filters ensure safe and reliable operation for a long time.
Applications in food processing
In the food production sector, not only is accuracy important, but perhaps even more so, repeatability. This solution ensures that the taste, colour, and aroma of the final product remain consistent, which is obviously key in the food industry. So, every process has to deliver consistent outcomes all the time, a dosing solution with an integrated flow meter ensures this. It can dose ingredients in batches, continuously, and often in small quantities into a main stream at a predetermined fixed ratio relative to the main flow. This guarantees you can always enjoy the taste of your favourite food.
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MASS FLOW & PRESSURE MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL
Bronkhorst in Food & Beverage
Dosage of liquid additives
Fermentation process control
Aseptic packaging
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Alleviating the Certification Burden
For machine builders, ensuring that the fruits of their labour conform to all required regulatory standards can be a daunting prospect. It is no wonder that many companies turn to specialists such as Bureau Veritas to support them. To better understand the process and the latest regulations, MEPCA consulted with Jared James, Principal Machinery Specialist at Bureau Veritas.
While machine builders would prefer to focus on the design and fabrication of worldclass machinery, they cannot afford to ignore the complex regulatory and certification requirements that govern the industry and which ultimately determine the marketability of their products, both here and abroad.
Testing and certifying machinery for safety, performance and conformity to regional standards is an essential part of producing marketable products. However, this can be an involved process. The machine builder must first identify the applicable directives and related requirements before testing and compiling the supporting technical documentation and declarations. Depending on the specifics of the machine and its comprising materials, there may be multiple applicable directives, each with separate conformity requirements.
Fortunately, Bureau Veritas is on hand to offer specialist support and guide machine
builders through the process. Whether acting as a consultant or a certifying body, Bureau Veritas can assist machine builders in the testing, inspection and certification of machines, reducing risks and improving – and certifying – the performance of materials, products and assets.
To understand how Bureau Veritas can assist machine builders, and for insights on upcoming regulations, we spoke with Jared James, Principal Machinery Specialist at Bureau Veritas.
How does Bureau Veritas support companies with CE and UKCA marking for new machinery?
Bureau Veritas offers a number of services for CE and UKCA conformity, ranging from acting as an integral member of a development team driving the conformity process, through to providing independent and impartial verification of the declared conformity position.
Our specialists will outline the conformity process, define the requirements, and provide detailed technical insight based on decades of engineering experience, to ensure the process is as transparent, informed and efficient as possible.
What
common mistakes do machine builders make when applying for
certifications?
Machine builders often overlook comprehensive equipment documentation during certification. Failing to fully define functionality, operating modes, hardware, and connectivity can lead to unexpected
requirements and costly late-stage certification challenges. A clear, detailed description of equipment capabilities, including both implemented and potential functions, is crucial for smooth certification processes.
Which certifications are currently most valuable for UK machine builders looking to export internationally?
CE marking is currently one of the best conformity routes for UK machine builders. Correctly applied it immediately provides access to the EU and UK markets, avoiding the need for duplicated conformity efforts. Further, the use of internationally recognised technical standards within the CE process offers broad coverage for many international territories by default, often requiring minimal additional effort to achieve compliance.
Jared James, Principal Machinery Specialist at Bureau Veritas
What upcoming regulatory changes should machine builders be preparing for?
One of the biggest potential impacts is with the changes relating to cybersecurity following the upcoming implementation of the EU Machinery Regulations in early 2027, where it will become mandatory for cybersecurity to be evaluated and controlled as part of the CE marking process, as would be the case with any other safety related provision.
With the rise in connected technology allowing machine builders to remotely monitor equipment anywhere in the world, the potential threats to safety and security of the equipment must be properly established and controlled.
How are AI and other emerging digital technologies affecting the certification process?
New technology and innovation have long been recognised within the legislative frameworks, with specific provisions to enable and support adoption. However, the rapid progression of new high-complexity systems, such as AI, bring an array of new challenges that can expand the bounds of certification significantly.
What was once a relatively simple computer-controlled machine is now
constantly exposed to the vulnerabilities of the internet while being connected to a software model that is intended to learn, evolve, and make its own decisions, all of which makes it challenging to define the limits of the system and expected behaviours for the purpose of certification.
What advice do you have for SMEs intimidated by the demanding process of achieving certification?
Preparation is key. Gain an understanding of the certification criteria and internally validate the product against it, ensuring repeatability and consistency of performance. There can be significant cost in delays due to the first evaluation of a product being by a third party, not to mention the demoralising nature of such roadblocks.
Whether self-declaring certification or using a third party, robust processes and thorough evaluation allow companies to trust in their conformity position and have confidence in the ability of a third party to repeat the validation process.
MEPCA would like to thank Jared for this illuminating crash-course on machine conformity and certification. For anyone wanting learn more about the services offered by Bureau Veritas, further information is available on the company’s website. bureauveritas.co.uk
When Temperature Matters
Designing Integrated Safety into Machines
In any production or packaging line, safety systems are needed to protect employees and prevent malfunctions from damaging valuable products and equipment. A good safety system will bring a line to a halt, avoiding any potential accidents and allowing the line to be restarted quickly. But how can machine builders ensure safety is integral to machine design from the start?
In the past, whether at the individual machine level or a complete production line, safety was only considered as an afterthought. More specifically, each piece of equipment was designed to perform a specific task. Only then, would any necessary safety measures be added, often as a separate system. This was also true for the production lines into which they were integrated.
What exactly is integrated safety?
Today, all equipment needs to have safety designed in right from the start. Thus, integrated safety simply means considering safety during the initial design phases, both for individual machines and the complete production line. In this way every aspect of the machine’s operation is accounted for and is captured in the data used by the control system.
Machines designed with integrated safety in mind deliver the maximum safety and security. In addition, should a problem occur, they provide all the data needed to evaluate what went wrong and ensure that a similar issue does not occur again. Without this data, when a production line stops there is no immediate way to know what went wrong and tracking down the problem could be costly in time and production. This is not the case in a production line
made up of integrated machines. Each component and activity in the line is closely monitored – in real time – by the control software. A control system, like OMRON’s Sysmac, brings together the intelligent, integrated, and interactive elements of the system. This allows problems, or even potential problems, to be identified early and very specific actions to be taken. These actions can, for instance, modify production to compensate for an isolated issue without shutting down operation completely. Even if a complete halt is required the system can decide whether the machine/line can remain powered, moving to a standby condition rather than a complete or emergency stop. And as long as it has power, data continues to flow so the controller still know what is happening. This means the controller, or operator, can maintain optimum performance even during times of operational disruption.
Just as important, it is also safer and more efficient for the maintenance personnel. They have full information on any issues even before going to the line, so they can be correctly prepared to fix it. They know what tools might be needed and what safety precautions to take. Furthermore, the line’s safety functions are also still active to protect them should an issue arise during the maintenance.
Example of integrated safety
In a non-integrated system a basic programmable logic controller monitors and executes motion, while a separate on/off safety relay safeguards operation. In an integrated system all signals and inputs are merged in an intelligent controller which replaces discrete safety relays with advanced logic.
Reliability
Integrated safety also takes away the uncertainty present when relying on humans to record data. Knowing when to carry out maintenance is a critical factor in reducing the chances of parts breaking down, which could directly affect not only production but operator safety too.
In a non-integrated system, accurate maintenance scheduling means operators need to keep a reliable and accurate log of incidents and operations. In older systems, this may simply be a handwritten journal kept at the operator station! And even if the journal is well-maintained, the information is
not available in a digital format. Hardly the best way of keeping track of a machine’s condition to ensure safe operation and schedule predictive maintenance.
With an integrated system all the information is automatically recorded locally and can also be made available online. By digitally capturing every event, such as each time a door is opened and closed, statistics such as the mean time between failures can be checked and preventive maintenance scheduled.
Safety services
Whether building equipment for production lines or running them, manufacturers want to ensure that their equipment and/or line is safe and meets any local or international regulations. Companies such as OMRON offer a variety of services aimed at providing safety advice. The primary goal of these services is to ensure that production lines have zero accidents while improving production, increasing safety and making the line more flexible.
Typically, these services will start with a machine safeguarding assessment that provides a diagnostic validation of equipment, highlighting areas that can be improved. While small improvements can often be handled by the manufacturer’s own technicians, more significant improvements may require design and implementation of a custom solution along with additional training on new features by trained experts.
Additionally, validation and assessment of safeguards can also be performed, ensuring machines and systems meet the region’s equipment regulations. Safety services, whether provided by OMRON or
another party, ensure that a line meets all relevant safety requirements and regulations, so manufacturers can focus on meeting production targets.
AI and integrated safety
How can AI can contribute to safety systems? AI technologies can support functions such as predictive maintenance or anomaly detection, helping operators anticipate and respond to issues before they become critical. However, when it comes to Functional Safety, the direct integration of AI into safety-related control systems remains a challenge. Because Functional Safety requires systems to behave predictably and meet strict failure probability criteria, core safety functions must still be handled by certified, deterministic logic. For this reason, the role of AI in safety should currently be limited to supportive functions, while the main safety logic remains within the scope of proven and certifiable technologies.
Conclusion: building safety into the future
Designing safety from the start is the most effective way to protect people and keep machines running reliably. An integrated approach gives engineers the data, diagnostics, and control they need to respond quickly and keep production on track. AI can support this by spotting issues earlier, but core safety still depends on technologies that are proven and predictable. When safety and performance are considered together from the beginning, the result is a system that’s not only compliant, but built to last. industrial.omron.co.uk
The Smarter Route for Machine Builders
From rapid spares to fully optimised systems, strategic 3D printing partnerships are helping machine builders stay ahead.
Machine downtime is costly. A single broken bracket or housing can halt production, with the lost output worth far more than the price of the part itself. More machine builders are turning to 3D printing to solve this challenge. For most, the smartest strategy is not to invest in the technology in-house, but to work with a specialist partner who already has the expertise, technology and ability to scale in place.
As Paul Moloney, Founder and Managing Director of leading 3D Printing provider, Midlands 3D, explains:
“While the parts themselves may be relatively inexpensive, the real saving comes from minimising downtime. That’s where our ability to supply parts quickly, consistently and at scale makes all the difference.”
Access without the burden
Industrial-grade additive manufacturing demands heavy investment. Multi Jet Fusion, SLS, SLA and FDM machines, together with automated finishing systems, are capitalintensive. Usage may also be intermittent. By working with a partner such as Midlands 3D, machine builders gain immediate access to advanced production capability without tying up resources in underused equipment.
Moloney notes: “We’ve invested in expanding our automated production and finishing capacity, so our customers don’t have to. It means they can concentrate on building machines, while we ensure their parts are ready when needed.”
Designing better, not just printing
The real opportunity in 3D printing lies in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM). Instead of recreating existing parts, engineers can rethink them entirely.
Components can be lighter, stronger, and combine several functions into one. Brackets can include built-in guides, housings can integrate cooling channels, and grips can be shaped for precise ergonomics.
Working with a provider ensures this potential is unlocked. Midlands 3D support customers with DfAM advice, ensuring parts are not just printable, but optimised for strength, cost and performance. As Moloney explains:
“Additive is not just about printing what you already have. It’s about designing better parts from the outset, so entire systems become more efficient, lighter and easier to maintain.”
Strategic partnerships pay back
Service providers can be more than suppliers. Through Manufacturing Partner Agreements, Midlands 3D offer guaranteed turnaround times, priority scheduling and digital warehousing of parts. Designs are stored securely in digital form and can be produced on demand removing the need for physical spares while ensuring replacements are delivered in hours, not weeks.
This long-term approach reduces the risk of prolonged downtime, improves resilience, and supports more efficient supply chains.
Efficient systems, reduced downtime
Customisation and speed combine to deliver real engineering impact. Machines can be built with fewer parts, simpler assemblies and lighter structures. When failures do occur, replacements can be delivered rapidly, keeping lines running and customers satisfied.
The financial gain is clear: downtime costs can dwarf the price of the component. Partnering with a service provider helps machine builders avoid those losses, while
also delivering more efficient systems overall.
Conclusion
3D printing is no longer a prototyping novelty. It is a strategic enabler for machine builders. The most effective way to harness its benefits is not by investing in machines, but by investing in partnerships.
By working with a specialist such as Midlands 3D, manufacturers gain access to world-class technologies, expert DfAM support and guaranteed part availability through digital warehousing. As Moloney sums up:
“Our role is to make sure a missing part never causes extended downtime while helping customers design machines that are stronger, smarter and more efficient from the outset.”
Find out more: midlands3d.com
Paul Moloney, Founder and Managing Director, Midlands 3D
Save Time with New Field Connectivity
Field termination is a reliable, swift and tool-less method of terminating cables and connecting to equipment, favoured in numerous industrial applications. In a welcome expansion to the plug and play connection solutions available, HARTING introduces its new Han® Push-In range.
HARTING’s solutions are characterised by an efficient plug and play system, which eliminates errors by ensuring plug-in security with the help of coding. HARTING offers the largest variety of termination technologies on the market and have now expanded this portfolio with the new Han® Push-In range.
The connection technology behind the Han® Push-In represents a refinement of the cage connection method, which is particularly well suited to field termination thanks to its speed and ease of use. It also expands the flexibility of Han® industrial connectors by providing an additional field connection method, allowing fast and uncomplicated assembly of connectors whilst ensuring consistent quality.
With Push-In technology, the stranded wire for the connection can be inserted directly into the contact chambers. An internal clamp spring ensures a highstrength contact. If ferrules are used, the connection can be established without tools. In the case of stripped stranded wires, all that’s for installation is a screwdriver. Han® Push-In allows engineers to assemble several conductor variations, ranging from stranded conductors to conductors with ferrules (insulated and uninsulated) and solid conductors.
The connection technology behind the Han® Push-In is particularly well suited to field termination thanks to its speed and ease of use. As part of the HanModular® range, it allows users to configure customised connectors which are exactly tailored to their design requirements. Power, signal, data or compressed air can now be combined in one module, reducing the total number of interfaces required.
As the connection technology is smaller
and more lightweight, users can now fit more modules and module types than before into one connector. As a result, assembly areas which are difficult to reach can be equipped more efficiently or even opened up for assembly in the first place. There are now over 250 modules to choose from and many thousands of potential combinations available, increasing design flexibility.
HARTING’s range of field wireable connectors also speed up installation, reducing network installation time by up to 25%. They offer several innovative connector solutions, which can be mounted quickly and intuitively without the need for special tools.
The preLink® Ethernet cabling system improves the reliability of on-site network cabling in all environments from IP20 up to IP65/67. A highly flexible system, the cable-mounted preLink® block can be easily
inserted into a variety of connectors and sockets, including RJ45, M12 and PCB receptacles. The RJ Industrial® Multifeature is a reliable solution for toolless RJ45 installations in industrial IP20 environments as it employs an integrated cutting tool and angled cable outlets.
HARTING have also launched the newly updated User’s Guide Termination Technologies manual. It contains a wealth of information to help customers select components, install connectors and contacts and choose the right termination techniques for an application. It also provides more information about the latest technical innovations and standards.
To learn more about Han® Push-In and download a FREE copy of the Termination Technologies Guide use the link below. bit.ly/4mWx49B
Up to 30 % less assembly time during on-site installation enables efficient equipment change.
Han® Push-In expands the largest variety of termination technologies for industrial connectors. REQUEST YOUR FREE
■ Up to 30 % less assembly time with direct insertion of the conductor into the contact chamber
■ Easy handling due to tool-less termination
■ Cost savings compared to alternative termination technologies
■ Maximal flexibility - suitable for ferrules, stranded wires and solid conductors
■ Compatible with identical products with other termination technologies
One Range. No Limits: www.HARTING.com/push-in
Major New Partnership in UK Material Handling
Summit Dynamic Solutions, part of the Summit Systems Group, has announced a new partnership with WAM, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of bulk material handling equipment. Wayne Kirby, UK & Ireland Sales Manager for Summit Dynamic Solutions, comments on why this sets a new benchmark for material handling in the UK.
The new collaboration brings together WAM’s globally renowned product range with Summit’s highly regarded engineering expertise, offering UK manufacturers access to complete handling solutions backed by dedicated global and local support.
WAM is a brand recognised across industries for quality and innovation. With decades of experience and an extensive catalogue that includes screw conveyors, feeders, dust filters, valves, mixers, and much more, WAM has become a trusted name in bulk solids handling worldwide.
By aligning with WAM, Summit is able to broaden its portfolio and deliver more solutions that cover a wide spectrum of material handling requirements. Customers in sectors such as plastics, food, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, aggregates, construction and other industries can now benefit from proven, high-performance technology supported by Summit’s integration expertise and service team.
“The partnership with WAM allows us to offer complete turnkey solutions,” says Wayne Kirby, UK & Ireland Sales Manager for Summit Dynamic Solutions. “It means we can deliver complete handling systems that are designed, installed, and supported in the UK, with every element working seamlessly together.”
For many manufacturers, success depends on how efficiently materials move through their processes. Sourcing the right equipment is only one part of the equation, ensuring it is properly integrated, commissioned and maintained is equally vital. This is where Summit brings unique value.
As part of the Summit Systems Group,
Summit has over 35 years of engineering expertise, providing turnkey installations, bespoke designs and ongoing service support. By combining this capability with WAM’s world-class equipment, the partnership offers customers a single, reliable source for everything from individual screw conveyors to fully engineered conveying, feeding and dust control systems.
The Summit–WAM partnership creates clear advantages for UK manufacturers: World-class equipment: access to WAM’s comprehensive range of proven material handling products.
Local expertise: engineering knowledge, project delivery and after-sales support from Summit.
Integrated approach: complete systems that are efficient, reliable, and designed to meet strict industry standards.
Future-ready technology: modular, energy-efficient solutions that can scale with production needs.
These strengths translate into practical benefits across industries. From feeding systems in plastics extrusion, to dust filtration in food applications, or valves and mixers in chemical and pharmaceutical processes, the collaboration ensures manufacturers receive robust, efficient solutions tailored to their operations.
The partnership is more than a supply agreement, it represents a shared commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. For Summit, it marks another step in expanding its capabilities, reinforcing its role as a trusted engineering partner to UK industry.
“WAM’s reputation speaks for itself, but what excites us most is what this means for our customers,” Wayne Kirby adds. “They can now access some of the best handling
technology in the world, while enjoying the reassurance of local support and expertise.” By bringing WAM’s global innovation together with Summit’s integration and service capabilities, the partnership sets a new benchmark for material handling in the UK, offering manufacturers a stronger, more complete solution to the challenges of modern production.
summitsystems.co.uk/dynamicsolutions/
Shaping the Future of Machine Building
Ahead of the transition from the Machinery Directive to the EU’s new Machinery Regulation, Hollie Dixon, Business Development Manager at EUCHNER, examines how it will impact the industry.
The European machinery industry is approaching a critical time-point. On 14th January 2027, the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) will be repealed, after over twenty years, and Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 shall apply in its entirety. This will create one harmonised and directly applicable legal framework for machinery manufacturing across the EU. This shift is not a small change of wording on a Declaration of Conformity; it is a major pivot in legislative focus towards a modern industry and the challenges it faces.
From directive to regulation
The first major difference between the old and new framework is structural. The Machinery Directive required Member States to transpose its provisions into national law, resulting in discrepancies between different countries’ interpretations of the requirements of the directive. The new Regulation is directly applicable across the EU, meaning that there will be no national variations and no inconsistencies in implementation. For machine builders, this means that design and compliance strategies can be applied uniformly, simplifying global production planning and ensuring a clearer route to market.
A broader scope for a connected world
The Regulation expands the definition of machinery and explicitly recognises that machines are now more than mechanical systems. Safety software and digital safety components, are formally brought into scope. The expanded scope to include the risks stemming from new digital technologies like AI, is especially significant for manufacturers of autonomous guided
vehicles, collaborative robots, and AI-driven production cells. Safety validation must consider not only mechanical and electrical failure but also the integrity of safety-related software and the risks posed by machines with selflearning, problem solving, and real-time processing of information.
Cybersecurity
As recent history has shown, cybersecurity cannot remain an IT afterthought. The Machinery Regulation makes it a mandatory aspect of machine safety. Any machine with a network interface, whether for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, or data exchange, must now be designed to resist cyberattacks. This means considering impact of tampering and cyber-attacks on safety, and implementing controls such as logging interventions, encrypted communication, and controlled access rights. The IEC 62443 series of standards for industrial cybersecurity are the benchmark reference for demonstrating compliance for industrial automation and control systems.
Third-party conformity assessment and standards
Another key change is the division of high risk categories that require notified body involvement. For machinery builders requiring Notified Body approval the process can be quite onerous and time consuming. The new regulations identify the requirements in more detail and also have options where a specific C-Type Standard has been used. This should help machinery builders understand their own particular requirements.
Lifecycle considerations
Many of the changes to the regulations require additional consideration of the lifecycle of the machine. Beyond traditional hazards, risk assessments and design specifications must evaluate digital threats including cyber-security and AI driven decision making, all which must be documented so that consideration of risks in all lifecycles of the machine from commissioning to decommissioning can be demonstrated.
Conclusion
The transition from the Machinery Directive to the Machinery Regulation is one of the most significant regulatory changes the industry has seen in decades. It represents a shift toward safer, smarter and more connected machines. By understanding the Machinery Regulations and applying key standards such as EN ISO 13849, IEC 62443, and ISO 12100, machine builders can not only be ready for 2027, but also set themselves apart as leaders in safety and security. EUCHNER is committed to helping the industry succeed in this transition. euchner.co.uk
Innovative Liquid Flow Measurement Solutions
Titan Enterprises is a leading design and manufacturer of innovative end user and OEM high-performance flowmeters and flow measurement instrumentation, used within a wide range of processes, environments and applications.
• Compact, robust, reliable
• Excellent accuracy and repeatability
• Measure low to high flow ranges
• High chemical resistance
• NSF-Approved mini turbine flowmeters Titan’s liquid flowmeters are designed and manufactured to ISO 9001 with traceable calibrations.
Top Chain Conveyor System
Efficient Fluid Power with CDC Pneumatics
In the fast-paced world of fluid power systems, efficiency, reliability and speed are critical. To support this, Tom Parker Ltd is partnered with CDC Pneumatics. Read here how builders of pneumatic systems stand to benefit from this partnership.
As the UK’s authorised distributor for CDC Pneumatics, Tom Parker Ltd proudly offers an extensive range of high-quality pushfit fittings, polyurethane (PU) tubing, and pneumatic push-in fitting kits. Renowned for innovative pneumatic solutions, CDC Pneumatics empowers industries such as manufacturing, automation, and engineering with products engineered for exceptional performance, durability and ease of use.
Why CDC Pneumatics?
CDC Pneumatics push-in fittings are designed for rapid, tool-free installation, delivering secure, leak-free connections for compressed air, inert gases, and vacuum applications. Its one-touch design simplifies assembly, saving valuable time while ensuring robust performance in demanding environments. These fittings are complemented by CDC’s versatile PU tubing, available in a range of sizes and colours for easy identification. Resistant to abrasion, chemicals and wear, this tubing provides a reliable, flexible solution for diverse pneumatic systems, enhancing operational efficiency.
For engineers seeking comprehensive solutions, CDC’s pneumatic push-in fitting kits are indispensable. Including essential components such as elbows, tees, and straight connectors in 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 mm, and mixed sizes, these kits eliminate the need to source individual parts. This all-inone approach saves time, reduces costs, and supports both new installations and ongoing system maintenance, ensuring seamless project delivery.
Unmatched availability and expertise
Tom Parker Ltd maintains an extensive
inventory of over 30,000 fluid power products, including the CDC Pneumatics range, ensuring immediate availability for your projects. With same-day despatch for orders placed before 4 PM, downtime is minimised, keeping operations running smoothly. Tom Parker Ltd’s next-day delivery service across the UK, combined with flexible tracking options, ensures components arrive precisely when and where they are needed, supporting tight project timelines.
With over five decades of expertise since its founding by Tom Parker in 1972, the dedicated team at Tom Parker Ltd provides unparalleled technical support. Whether an operation requires guidance on product compatibility, bespoke solutions for complex applications, or advice on optimising pneumatic setup, its specialists are ready to assist.
Why Tom Parker Ltd?
• Extensive stock: vast inventories of CDC Pneumatics products, ready for immediate despatch.
• Expert support: personalised technical advice from an experienced, customerfocused team.
• Rapid delivery: same-day despatch and next-day delivery options across the UK.
Elevating pneumatic systems
Tom Parker Ltd’s partnership with CDC Pneumatics delivers cutting-edge solutions to modern engineering challenges. Whether upgrading existing systems or designing new ones, CDC’s push-in fittings, PU tubing, and fitting kits offer unmatched reliability and ease of use. Visit the company’s website to explore its comprehensive range of hydraulic, pneumatic, industrial and process products.
tom-parker.co.uk
Powering Precision Manufacturing
Tom Parker Ltd is the UK’s authorised distributor for CDC Pneumatics. Pairing durable PU tubes with one-touch push-fit fittings and WRAS approved FluidFit solutions, we ensure reliable performance in high-volume production.
Why Choose Us?
Expert technical support Next-day delivery nationwide
Optimising Plant Efficiency with Sensors
Introducing Rotech Systems, manufacturer of shaft encoders, speed relays and vibration sensors. Learn how heavy-duty monitoring equipment benefits a wide range of industries.
Founded in 1983, Rotech Systems has become a global leader in providing highquality, reliable equipment for monitoring and measuring speed, position and direction of rotating shafts. Specialising in motion sensors and encoders, Rotech has built an unparalleled reputation for durability and performance, making it a trusted name in industries such as food professing, mining, steel, and power generation.
Heavy-duty construction for harsh environments
Rotech products are engineered to withstand even the harshest industrial conditions. Whether it’s a quarry, mine, or power plant, Rotech’s equipment is designed for long-lasting, maintenancefree operation. Its products offer heavyduty construction, ensuring reliability in environments prone to mechanical wear and tear. These sensors are quick and easy to install, making them a hassle-free solution for businesses looking to protect their machinery from potential damage.
Preventing costly downtime and damage
In industries where material handling is crucial, such as bulk processing, even a small disruption can lead to significant costs. A minor slowdown or stoppage of equipment like conveyors, crushers, or mixers can result in product spillage, mechanical failure and costly downtime. In some cases, these disruptions may also contaminate products, leading to production losses or quality issues. Rotech’s motion sensors help prevent these issues by providing early detection of problems like conveyor belt slip or mechanical failures. By triggering visual or audible alarms and even shutting down machinery when necessary,
to install, Rotech’s system, simplifies the process and reduces maintenance time.
Wide range of applications
Rotech’s motion sensors are used across various industries, including food, textiles, glass, grain, power generation, and chemicals. In these settings, the equipment plays a vital role in protecting conveyors, elevators, screws, crushers and mixers. The sensors continuously monitor the speed of the equipment, providing alerts when the speed drops by as little as 5%, a feature that can be adjusted between 5% and 90%. This level of sensitivity helps safeguard equipment and ensures smooth production operations.
Simple installation and reliable performance
Installation of Rotech’s systems is straightforward, requiring just a single hole to be drilled into the shaft or conveyor. This quick setup eliminates the need for complicated designs or adjustments, making it easy for businesses to standardise their equipment across various machines. With no target discs, sensor brackets, or guards
Rotech Systems are also known for their accuracy, with pulse rates ranging from 1 pulse per revolution to 1000 pulse per revolution. The units are digital pulse generators, ensuring precise monitoring even at low speeds (as slow as 0.03 RPM).
A cost-effective solution
While Rotech’s sensors are built to last, their cost-effectiveness makes them an attractive option for businesses. With competitive pricing and a focus on long-term reliability, Rotech delivers a solution that minimises maintenance costs while maximising uptime and operational efficiency.
In conclusion, Rotech Systems offers reliable, durable and cost-effective monitoring equipment that helps industries prevent downtime, reduce maintenance costs, and improve overall productivity. Its products ensure that critical machinery operates smoothly, even in the most challenging environments.
rotechsystems.co.uk
Rotech ensures that operators can take swift action to avoid costly damage.
Where Flexibility Meets Functionality
Builders of specialist machines have to be able to adapt their designs to changeable specifications. For this reason, STOBER’s compact SB6 drive controller has been designed for flexibility. In the following article, Martin Preece, Head of STOBER’s UK Subsidiary, explains why it is ideal for stand-alone applications.
The SB6 from STOBER is a stand-alone device suitable for applications with up to four axes and is characterized by its excellent control performance.
The extra-compact, economically attractive drive controller features numerous configuration options which enable perfect motion control via CiA 402 and PROFIdrive. The SB6 is designed with manufacturers of special machines in mind who need to react flexibly to the changing requirements of their clientele.
Thanks to the SB6 from STOBER, engineers will always have the right drive controller at hand for applications with one to four axes. The series is available as a singleaxis controller in three sizes with a nominal output current of up to 32 A. Both linear and rotational synchronous servo motors and Lean motors can be controlled.
Explains Martin Preece, Head of STOBER’s UK Subsidiary: “This controller is particularly impressive due to its compact dimensions: it fits into control cabinets with installation depths as low as 210mm, for example.”
Continues Martin: “In addition, the drive controller can be extended by the safety standards STO and SS1 via Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) and PROFIsafe up to SIL 3, PL e (category 4). A safety module for control via digital inputs and outputs is also available. The SB6 is also available with an optional operating unit consisting of a text display and buttons.”
Another key feature is the number of digital and analogue inputs and outputs. STOBER thus offers a functional, flexible drive controller that can be used in various applications. For fast automated
commissioning and uncomplicated servicing, an SD card can be inserted into the drive controller as an application memory, allowing configurations to be transferred.
In combination with the One Cable Solution (OCS) and EnDat 3, the SB6 reliably supports cable lengths of up to 100 metres. STOBER developed the hybrid cable together with encoder manufacturer HEIDENHAIN. In combination with its geared motors, STOBER offers a fully coordinated
system from a single source. For connection to a higher-level control system, firmwarebased EtherCAT and PROFINET are available.
Concludes Martin: “If you’re looking for a powerful drive controller with outstanding control performance that can be configured flexibly for individual solutions, look no more!”
For more information, visit STOBER’s website. stober.co.uk
Reliable Power for Industrial Systems
Regulated DC power is a crucial component of operating a reliable manufacturing process. While often hidden inside enclosures, DIN rail power supplies play a critical role in maintaining this reliability, as power conversion specialist Ideal Power explains here.
DIN rail power supplies remain a cornerstone of industrial automation and control. From production machinery to process systems, they provide the regulated DC power needed to operate PLCs, sensors, relays and communication equipment. Their role is critical: if the supply fails, the system it supports will follow. As equipment becomes more compact and more sophisticated, expectations of what a DIN rail power supply can deliver have grown.
Meeting the demands of industrial environments
Industrial environments place significant demands on control equipment. Fluctuating mains input, electrical noise, vibration and heat all stress sensitive electronics. A reliable DIN rail PSU must perform consistently in these conditions, delivering stable output and protecting downstream systems. For manufacturers, this makes power supply choice a decision that directly affects uptime, reliability and lifecycle cost.
Efficiency and thermal performance
Every watt lost inside a control cabinet becomes excess heat, which can limit how densely equipment is installed and increase cooling requirements. Modern DIN rail power supplies achieve higher efficiencies than earlier generations, helping reduce energy use and extend component life. Wide input ranges add resilience against unstable mains supplies and ensure compatibility across global installations.
Reliability across temperature extremes
Machines today are expected to operate in varied environments, from factory floors to
outdoor or semi-exposed installations. Power supplies that can tolerate extended temperature ranges allow equipment to continue running without derating or additional cooling. This level of reliability is essential for continuous operation and long-term stability.
Compliance and protection
Compliance with international safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards is a requirement for market access. Equipment that fails to meet these standards can face costly redesigns or restrictions on sale. DIN rail power supplies certified to UKCA, CE, UL and EN regulations simplify approvals, ensuring systems are ready for deployment across multiple regions. Integrated protection against over-voltage, overcurrent and short circuits safeguards both the PSU and connected devices, further strengthening reliability.
Supporting engineers with choice and flexibility
Ideal Power offers a wide portfolio of DIN rail power supplies designed for industrial use. The range includes models covering a broad selection of power ratings and output voltages, each with a compact footprint suited to modern control panel design. High efficiency, wide input tolerance and extended temperature capability are standard features across the range. Every unit is tested for compliance with international standards, giving engineers confidence when specifying for new projects.
For applications where catalogue
products do not meet the requirement, Ideal Power supports modified and bespoke options. This enables machine builders and system integrators to specify supplies that match their electrical and mechanical needs precisely. Combined with secure supply, managed stock, and 12-month call-off agreements, this flexibility ensures continuity from prototype through to full-scale production.
Foundation for modern automation
As industrial systems advance, supporting components are expected to deliver more. DIN rail power supplies may be hidden inside enclosures, but their performance underpins every connected function. By combining proven reliability with efficiency, compliance and resilience, Ideal Power’s DIN rail range provides the solid foundation modern automation and control systems demand.
idealpower.co.uk
Reliable Power Supplies
Work with Ideal Power from the start of your project to get the right PSU first time.
Our expert-led support, bespoke products, and flexible call-off service help you avoid delays, reduce risk, and stay in control. Visit our Website
Levelling Up Elevator Precision and Accuracy
Encoders are sophisticated devices integrated into elevator systems, enabling precise control and monitoring. Encoders are crucial for improving elevator accuracy and precision, as trusted manufacturer of motion-sensing and control devices British Encoder Products Company explains in this informative article.
Elevator encoders convert mechanical motion into digital signals, enabling elevators to achieve accurate floor alignment, controlled speed, and safe door operations. Here’s a closer look at how they work in areas like motor control, door control, and positioning systems.
Motor control
In elevator motor control, encoders provide essential feedback about the position, speed and direction of the elevator car. They are typically installed on the elevator motor or drive system, allowing them to accurately determine the car’s position within the shaft. This is crucial for achieving precise floor levelling, ensuring safe entry and exit for passengers.
Encoders also monitor the motor’s rotational speed, which contributes to smooth acceleration and deceleration during travel between floors. This helps create a comfortable ride experience. Additionally, they provide feedback on the motor shaft’s rotation, enabling the control system to accurately determine the elevator’s direction.
Furthermore, encoders offer real-time data on the motor’s performance, facilitating proactive maintenance and troubleshooting. This minimises downtime and enhances the overall reliability of the elevator system.
Door control
Encoders play a significant role in elevator door control, ensuring their smooth and safe operation. They provide precise feedback on the position of the doors, which allows the control system to determine their exact opening and closing positions.
By regulating the speed of the doors, encoders help ensure they operate efficiently,
reducing the risk of sudden movements that could startle passengers. They also assist in controlling the acceleration and deceleration of the doors, making sure they start and stop gradually. This helps reduce wear on the door mechanism.
Safety features are another critical aspect of encoders in door control. They can detect obstructions or resistance in the door’s path, prompting the system to stop or reverse the doors to prevent accidents. Additionally, encoders ensure that the doors remain securely closed while the elevator is in motion.
Real-time performance data from encoders also aids in proactive maintenance and troubleshooting, which further optimises system reliability and minimises downtime.
Shaft positioning and car positioning
In the context of shaft positioning, encoders ensure precise alignment of the elevator car with each floor. Typically mounted on the elevator motor or directly on the car, they measure the rotation of the motor shaft or
the car’s movement within the shaft. These devices provide crucial feedback on the rotational position of the motor shaft or the linear position of the car, allowing the control system to accurately determine the elevator’s location. As the elevator approaches a floor, this feedback is used to fine-tune the motor’s speed and direction, ensuring the car stops at the correct level.
If the encoder feedback indicates any deviation from the desired position, the control system can quickly adjust to ensure perfect alignment with the floor before the doors open. Encoders also play a key role in safety by continuously monitoring the elevator’s position, allowing for the activation of emergency brakes if necessary.
During installation and maintenance, encoders are essential for calibrating the elevator’s position, ensuring accurate floorlevel control.
In summary, their precise feedback mechanisms enable smooth journeys for passengers while ensuring the efficient and safe operation of the elevator. bit.ly/42qvzt1
Variable 10000 Amp Test Supply
REO has recently supplied a tailored REOLAB high-current power supply system to a globally recognised test house. Discover how the UK-based electronics manufacturer achieved a solution with the prerequisite mechanical integrity and thermal performance.
Installed at the organisation’s dedicated electrical testing laboratory, the system provides stable, controlled current up to 10,000 A for the certification of low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies.
These high-current tests are essential to meet the requirements of EN 61439-1/2, which governs the performance and safety of distribution panels, switchboards, and control cabinets. Where these assemblies are part of machinery, testing may also relate to EN 60204-1, the standard for electrical equipment of machines. The test house’s procedures focus on two key areas: thermal performance under full load and mechanical integrity under extreme electrical stress conditions.
Panels and assemblies carrying high fault or rated currents are subject to significant electromagnetic forces. When large currents pass through conductors, strong magnetic fields are generated, and these magnetic fields interact, especially in closely spaced or parallel conductors, resulting in Lorentz forces – instantaneous, high-magnitude forces that act on the conductors in milliseconds (see Fig 1).
The physics behind Lorentz forces is straightforward yet unforgiving: the force on a conductor is proportional to both the current flowing through it and the strength of the magnetic field surrounding it. Since the magnetic field strength itself is proportional to current, the overall effect increases
with the square of the current; doubling the current results in a fourfold increase in force, which can turn a minor stress into a catastrophic event.
During high-current testing, these forces can reach several kilonewtons, acting like mechanical shock loads applied in a fraction of a second. The results can include violent vibration, twisting, or displacement of busbars and connectors. Over time, repeated stress cycles can cause metal fatigue, loosening bolted joints, and deforming supports. In extreme cases, the sudden mechanical energy can fracture insulating materials or even eject conductors from their mountings, posing risks both to the equipment under test and the operators.
Mechanical strength testing, as specified in EN 61439-1 Clause 10.2, is therefore crucial. It ensures that assemblies are not only electrically compliant but physically robust enough to withstand these transient forces without permanent damage.
The test house required a power source capable of delivering high current continuously and safely for type testing. However, their internal infrastructure was not equipped to provide 10,000 A. REO therefore developed a REOLAB system with a dedicated compensation unit to bridge this gap. The compensation unit ensures current stability, reduces reactive losses, and enables precise control during test cycles.
At the heart of the REOLAB system are REO Variable Column Transformers, which form the basis of the variable AC and DC power supplies. These transformers allow precise control of output current and voltage, ensuring that test houses can replicate a wide range of operational and fault conditions with exceptional repeatability. By combining these transformers with compensation units and advanced control systems, REO enables test engineers to run high-current trials safely, efficiently, and with confidence that the test parameters truly reflect real-world scenarios. This approach has been central to REO’s success in supplying reliable power sources to laboratories, universities, and certification
MACHINE BUILDING
bodies worldwide, as well as process applications such as furnaces and ship-toshore supplies.
The supplied system includes highcurrent transformers, inductive components, thermal management systems, and digital interfaces for integration with the test
house’s automated test platforms. It enables repeatable and accurate testing, aligned with the verification requirements defined in Annexes D and F of EN 61439-1, covering temperature rise and dielectric performance.
Beyond supplying the hardware, REO collaborated closely with the test house’s engineers to tailor the system’s operational envelope to their test protocols, including managing waveform stability, current ramp profiles, and safety interlocks —all critical for achieving reliable and reproducible results.
The REOLAB installation supports the test house’s clients in verifying the conformity of their switchgear against European norms, enabling CE marking and reducing timeto-certification. It is particularly relevant for manufacturers developing assemblies for industrial, data centre, transport, and energy applications, where high-current distribution reliability is critical.
REO continues to work with partners across sectors to provide bespoke power and test solutions by enabling access to a consistent high-current supply. The REOLAB system, built on the foundation of REO Variable Column Transformers, supports the industry in meeting increasingly stringent safety and performance requirements without compromising test repeatability or operational safety.
reo.co.uk
Dispensing Solutions in Machine Building
The metering and dispensing of fluids and pastes plays a vital and varied role in machine building. To better understand these applications, MEPCA turned to Callum Murray, Sales Director and co-owner of Rockingham Systems.
Family-run engineering company Rockingham Systems specialises in technology for the pumping, metering and dispensing of various fluids and pastes. While more typically used for adhesives and sealants, the company’s systems also handle oils, grease and various other liquids and pastes used in industry. We asked Callum Murray, the company’s Sales Director and co-owner, about the role dispensing solutions play within modern machine building.
How do Rockingham Systems fit within the machine building supply chain?
We generally provide the tooling that carries out the process when it comes to dispensing applications like Form-In-Place-Gasketing, potting of electronics or coating PCBs, in combination with a 6-axis robot or cartesian gantry, for example. But we can also have products integrated within other OEM machines, such as spraying oil or release agent onto stamping dies, or even fairly benign things like dispensing Loctite onto screw threads before they are inserted and fixed.
How
do you see the role of adhesive dispensing systems evolving in modern machine building?
The role of dispensing systems is continuously evolving in line with new applications for adhesives and sealants. These applications are generally driven by innovation in industries looking for lighter materials, faster and/or more controllable production, in general better performance and just innovative use in new fields. One example I would give is the proliferation of
Thermal Interface Materials (TIM), thanks in a large part to the development of the E-Mobility Battery sector. These tend to be Silicone or polyurethane materials that are heavily filled with metallic powder, such as aluminium hydroxide, and are designed to eliminate air gaps and allow the efficient heat transfer between two substrates.
A few years ago, these were used in niche applications and applied by syringe onto things like CPUs on motherboards, whereas nowadays they are available in bulk, at high dispensing speed, and not only in electric car batteries but used on all manner of electronic components to improve performance. Due to these changes, most high spec metering systems are now available with ceramic coated components to reduce wear with features such as depressurisation when not in use; this is a critical change as holding TIM’s under pressure for long periods can cause the carrier material to separate from the fillers.
What are the main challenges in integrating automated adhesive dispensing into machine builds?
The main challenges are around deciding,
realistically, on the required accuracy/ repeatability needed to achieve the end goal. What we see most are customers asking for very high accuracy when it is not really required, resulting in a much more expensive dispensing system.
To give an example, recently we worked with a customer that needed to apply a bead of adhesive to form a gasket onto a part, and they were asking for +/-1% repeatability, whereas in the manual application this system was to replace, the repeatability was over 20%, and the material they were dispensing was very cheap, meaning that the cost increase from the more accurate system would never by paid back. Another challenge is to nail the required cycle time right away. There are a number of different dispensing technologies on the market, each with different pros and cons, along with different maximum flowrates and repeatability’s, and nailing both of these points early on will make for a much simpler process and integration.
We are grateful to Callum for sharing his insights into this less prominent aspect of machine building. For further information on dispensing and metering solutions, visit Rockingham Systems’ website. rockinghamsystems.co.uk
Expert solutions for the metering, mixing and dispensing of all types of adhesives, resins and sealants as well as many other fluids and pastes.
A Space-Saving Conveyor Solution
In this case study, AdaptTech, the sole UK and Ireland distributor of mk technology, demonstrates what can be achieved within a limited assembly space using a dynamic conveyor solution.
Aspecial machine manufacturer in the field of automated gear testing needed a solution for automatically conveying 6 kg of sprockets and gear wheels to and from a testing station. At the same time, the conveying path designed for the task had to buffer the parts to be tested and allow any parts that were not okay to be ejected. To maximise valuable assembly space, the path had to use as little room as possible.
The solution was to use a compact and customised conveying path based on the mk Versaflex A08 chain conveyor system.
The experts at mk created two circulation systems for this challenge, with the two systems positioned on the infeed and outfeed side of a testing station. The Versaflex P08 chain conveyor system, a compact pallet circulation system that allows for complex track layouts over three dimensions, was particularly well-suited for the job. It follows the modular principle and can be extended with a multitude of functions. The conveyor chain consists of flat, interconnected plastic links that are 83 mm wide and move on wear strips to keep wear to a minimum. The single-track design and curve radii starting at 150 mm make it possible to create efficient circulation systems in limited space.
The inlet side of the conveyor system can move ten pallets. At a manual workstation, the sprockets or gearwheels are placed on the pallets, buffered on the conveying path and individually fed into an extractor unit and positioned. A two-axis handling system supplied by the customer then removes the parts to be tested and transfers them to the testing station. The empty pallet remains on the circulation system and is guided back to the manual workstation. Meanwhile, the testing station tests the gearwheels for
noises, and checks both how they run and their dimensional accuracy.
Following testing, the tested parts are transferred back to an available pallet on the outlet side of the conveyor system. The test results are saved to the pallet’s RFID transponder. Customised, space-saving switches guide the pallets containing the parts to be tested to the various sections of the track. Pallets with parts that are okay move to the next stop position, where staff remove the tested parts manually. The empty pallets are guided back to the testing station immediately. The conveyor system guides pallets with NOK parts to a separate removal point, where the RFID data is read
out and the part is reworked or rejected.
The special machine manufacturer was very satisfied with the solution from mk. In addition to simple and fast configuration and commissioning, the solution is characterised by reliability and low maintenance requirements. Furthermore, it is flexibly expandable and therefore future-proof, with minimal effort required at a later date.
AdaptTech is the only UK and Ireland distributor of the mk Versaflex flat top chain conveyor. For further information or assistance with finding a conveyor solution, visit the company’s website.
adapt-tech.co.uk
Fit and forget...
No more flaking paint, no more corrosion, no more contamination worries...
Smooth surface, hygiene friendly, easy to clean washdown design.
Resistant to acids and alkalis
No blistering, flaking or microcracks
Food-safe according to FDA and EU Regulation 1935/2004
Protection to IP69K possible
Motor efficiency levels from IE3 to IE8
Drive Systems
Food Safe - Washdown Drive Systems
Gearbox Motor Inverter
Smart Buildings with IoT-Based Technology
The management of smart buildings can benefit greatly from IoT-enhanced systems, but their implementation can be challenging. In answer, Axiomtek, manufacturer of industrial computers and embedded platforms, has introduced a suite of advanced IoT gateways.
Rapid urbanisation and the urgent need for greater energy efficiency are accelerating the adoption of smart building technologies. By leveraging IoT-driven systems, smart buildings enable real-time control and automation of critical functions such as HVAC, lighting and security, delivering significant improvements in energy performance, operational efficiency and occupant comfort.
While the benefits are compelling, implementation presents notable challenges, including integration with legacy systems, escalating cybersecurity risks, and substantial upfront investment. To address these obstacles, Axiomtek has developed a suite of advanced IoT gateways designed to unify diverse devices, streamline protocol translation, enable centralised building management, and safeguard OT assets against external threats. This comprehensive approach lays a secure, scalable foundation for building smarter, more sustainable infrastructure.
Smart building management systems (BMS)
By connecting IoT-enabled sensors, smart buildings intelligently regulate lighting, HVAC and air quality in real-time based on occupancy and environmental data. These automated adjustments reduce energy waste, cut utility costs, and extend system lifespan. Beyond operational savings, they also support sustainability goals, lowering the building’s carbon footprint and contributing to a greener, more energyresilient future.
Axiomtek’s ICO120-E3350 is a compact, fanless DIN-Rail gateway, perfect for smart building management systems.
Optimised I/O for smart device integration
The ICO120-E3350 supports 2 x COM, 2 x LAN, 2 x USB, 1 x 8-bit programmable DIO, and 1 x HDMI, allowing seamless connection to various devices such as HVAC systems, smart lighting controllers and diverse sensors. This connectivity ensures precise data collection and responsive control, enabling real-time building optimisation.
Compact, power-efficient and fanless
Powered by the energy-efficient Intel® Celeron® processor N3350 (TDP 6W), the ICO120-E3350 is a compact, DIN-rail embedded gateway purpose-built for spaceconstrained environments. Its palm-sized dimensions (31 x 100 x 125 mm) and fanless design ensure low-maintenance operation.
Smart access control to enhance security
IoT-powered smart access control replaces traditional keys with RFID cards, mobile apps, or biometric authentication for enhanced security and convenience. The system allows real-time monitoring of entry points, integrate with surveillance cameras, and enable remote access management. Smart security solutions ensure safer and more efficient building operations by preventing unauthorised entry and streamlining access.
Axiomtek’s ICO330 is a fanless embedded system with isolated I/O for secure access control.
High-speed networking and peripheral integration
The ICO330 features three isolated 2.5GbE LAN ports and dual USB 3.1 interfaces, enabling real-time communication with RFID readers, biometric devices, and cloud-based
access management platforms. These highthroughput connections support seamless integration with surveillance systems and mobile authentication apps for modern, secure access control.
Isolated COM and DIO for enhanced security and reliability
Equipped with up to six isolated RS232/422/485 ports and an 8-in/8-out isolated DIO, the ICO330 safeguards communication with door controllers and sensor modules. Electrical isolation protects against surges and interference, ensuring uninterrupted operation of critical security infrastructure.
Design for uninterrupted operation in harsh environments
Engineered for 24/7 deployment in securitycritical environments, the ICO330 supports a wide operating temperature range (-40°C to +70°C) and 9–36VDC power input for reliable performance in entry points, server rooms, and secured perimeters. Its fanless, DIN-rail mountable and compact form factor ensures effortless installation in spaceconstrained areas with limited ventilation.
axiomtek.co.uk
The Reindustrialisation Opportunity for SMEs
Dave Atkinson, UK Head of Manufacturing SME & Mid Corporates, Lloyds, explains why factors including security, technology and sustainability are combining to create an unprecedented opportunity for manufacturing SMEs.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025 and into 2026, it feels like the UK manufacturing sector is at a pivotal moment. For those firms that can adapt to the diverse factors converging to shape the sector’s future, the payoff could be profound.
Let us consider some of the dynamics that are combining to create a unique opportunity for UK SMEs to lead in innovation, resilience and growth. The launch of the UK’s Industrial Strategy sets the agenda for the next 10 years with a multifaceted plan to unlock investment and unblock barriers to growth, from energy costs to regulation, planning and skills. It identifies defence and advanced manufacturing as being among the eight business sectors with the greatest untapped potential for growth.
At the same time, international management consulting firm Oliver Wyman and the Confederation of British Industry have, through the recently published Defence & Economic Growth Report, produced a landmark set of recommendations outlining how government and industry can work together to seize the opportunity to align defence investment with the national economic growth mission.
Combined with the UK’s stable R&D tax reliefs regime, it’s creating a more predictable environment for investment in advanced manufacturing and clean energy. In addition, the multi-billion-pound Strategic Defence Review contains pledges to boost security budgets and strengthen domestic defence supply chains, with the specific aim of directing more investment to SME suppliers.
Reshaping supply chains
The speed and scale of global change seems to have intensified, from tariffs to trade agreements, conflict and climate
change. This has created a global trading environment that is increasingly uncertain and has exposed the vulnerabilities of international supply chains. Geopolitical tensions, including the Red Sea crisis, and regulatory shifts, such as the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, have combined to undermine the economic benefits of offshoring supply chains.
This comes with a realisation that UK suppliers can provide the security, reliability and flexibility that those on more distant shores simply cannot, and many are likely to be prepared to pay a premium for that security of supply. That is prompting OEMs and Tier One suppliers to reconsider and reconfigure their supply chains, prioritising domestic firms, where possible, in order to reduce the risk of any disruption, even if it does sometimes come at a higher price.
However, to make the most of this reindustrialisation opportunity, manufacturers must address three key challenges:
technology, sustainability and skills.
Technology
There’s no denying that manufacturing SMEs can sometimes lag behind larger firms in the implementation of technologies with transformative potential. AI, robotics and digital tools like digital twinning and the Internet of Things can generate increased efficiency, improve product quality, reduce costs and enable greater flexibility. Connected smart factories allow for real-time data collection and analysis, identifying opportunities to optimise processes, supporting predictive maintenance and enhancing cybersecurity. However, while SMEs recognise that their digital transformation is ultimately inevitable, they have deferred investment because of barriers including cost, skills shortages and a lack of tailored support.
We can help firms overcome this adoption gap by working with them, and our partners
like MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre), to identify the investment strategy that can have the biggest impact. Following an initial virtual consultation, MTC senior engineers are available to visit manufacturers, meet with the senior team, conduct a shop floor process review and carry out a consultative line walk to examine current challenges and identify opportunities. The process can also identify funding options, including via Lloyds and via MTC through the Reach grant scheme, which can provide matched funding up to 50% to eligible SMEs.
Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer optional, and those manufacturers who move to adopt efficiency measures aren’t just helping protect the environment. Green technologies are fundamental to the future and sustainable strategies are a key driver of access to capital, talent and markets. Technologies like renewables and electrified heat also improve productivity while reducing reliance on the slings and arrows of energy markets, and manufacturing economies around the world are in a race to be first to adopt the green technologies of the future.
In recognition of this opportunity, Lloyds offers discounted sustainable finance options designed to support manufacturers as they work to reduce their carbon footprint. That could be through investing in energy efficient equipment and buildings, electricity generation and storage, renewables,
infrastructure that enables low carbon transport and more.
Skills
UK manufacturers still have significant and well-known recruitment and skills challenges to overcome. Make UK reports that there are 55,000 long-term unfilled vacancies in the sector1, with half of manufacturers unable to source the talent their business needs locally2. The digitisation of manufacturing has only exacerbated the issue, requiring transferable skills that leave manufacturers competing with firms from all sectors to recruit the technical engineers and data experts they need.
Moreover, manufacturing still has a PR challenge in overcoming outdated preconceptions that it is dirty, unsustainable, low tech and repetitive. The sector is also suffering from a longstanding lack of female representation – only around 25% of manufacturing workers are women, despite making up around half of the country’s working population – so addressing this inclusion issue will likely be part of the solution.
There is also an opportunity to harness older workers’ skills. While many workers may be approaching retirement, they have huge amounts of up-to-date experience that they are ready and willing to share with their younger colleagues, presenting a clear opportunity for firms to unlock the knowledge already within the workforce
before it is lost. Organisations like MTC, Skills England and the Industrial Strategy Skills Commission are working to reshape workforce development, supporting employers to find the skills they need.
Disruption often creates opportunity, and the world is currently experiencing remarkable environmental, economic and technological change. Support for manufacturers is being dialled up, customers are recognising the value of homegrown supply chains, and transformative technologies are becoming more accessible.
Making the most of these catalysts will require thought, effort and investment, but the opportunities outweigh the risks.
See how Lloyds is supporting UK manufacturers to innovate, grow, and lead on the website below.
lloydsbank.com/manufacturing
All Lending is subject to status. Eligibility criteria apply. Lloyds and Lloyds Bank are trading names of Lloyds Bank plc. Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HN. Registered in England and Wales no. 2065. Telephone: 0207 626 1500.
Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under Registration Number 119278.
Barclays’ Head of SME Industries Sarah Collins explains why UK manufacturers should be investing for the future today.
Manufacturing is one of the UK’s most strategically important industries. It powers productivity and innovation, sustains jobs, generates exports, and underpins the nation’s longterm competitiveness. Yet the sector is also under pressure. Skills shortages, rising employment costs, high energy prices, fragile supply chains, and cybersecurity risks are just some of the headwinds our clients are navigating every day.
A sector under strain, but not standing still
Our latest Q2 Barclays Business Prosperity Index research reflects this mixed picture. On the one hand, 85% of manufacturing leaders remain confident in the prosperity of their own businesses, and more than half are optimistic about the wider UK economy. On the other hand, almost three quarters (72%) of UK manufacturers haven’t borrowed to invest in the past year. Thirty-four per cent have considered it but ultimately chose not to proceed –with many citing interest rates, economic uncertainty, and caution ahead of the Autumn Budget.
This hesitancy is understandable. An ageing workforce and persistent skills shortages are raising operational costs. Energy prices remain structurally higher than many global competitors, threatening competitiveness. Supply chain fragility continues to push up costs and stretch lead times, while new cybersecurity risks are demanding constant risk mitigation. For many family- owned firms, upcoming changes to inheritance tax are also prompting a more cautious approach to capital expenditure.
Cautious but committed to growth
Despite these challenges, intent to invest has not disappeared. Our data shows 53% of SMEs intend to increase investment in the next 12 months, compared to 67% of large companies, with SMEs planning an average uplift of 4.8% and large companies 10.2%. If SMEs matched the rate of larger firms, up to £60 billion in new investment could be unlocked annually across the UK economy1
In manufacturing, the areas drawing the most attention are those that address long-term pressures: automation and AI to manage labour and cost constraints; decarbonisation to mitigate energy risks and meet climate targets; and re- shoring or near-shoring to strengthen supply chain resilience in the face of tariff uncertainty.
How Barclays can help
At Barclays, we are fully committed to supporting manufacturers in this moment of challenge and opportunity. In 2025 alone, we have made £22 billion of lending available to help businesses across the UK grow and thrive, including £9 billion already lent in the first half of the year.
We understand the vital role manufacturers play in the economy, and the unique challenges that come with come with running a manufacturing business. We know that our partners in manufacturing need financial tools that help them act decisively when opportunities arise, while building
resilience for the long term. That is why Barclays offers a broad set of financial tools designed to help business leaders seize opportunities as they arise and maintain a competitive edge in the global market. Our Business Relationship teams can also help with local knowledge, sector expertise and connections to specialists. From working capital finance designed to bridge gaps between contract wins and getting paid, to asset finance in the UK via our partner Propel, the aim is simple: to help businesses manage commitments and take full advantage of a landscape poised for serious growth.
Discover how Axair Fans tackled a challenging Air Handling Unit (AHU) retrofit at the University of Oxford’s critical laboratories, delivering a robust, energy-efficient airflow solution.
When the University of Oxford needed to upgrade the air handling at its Environmental Sciences and Materials Facility (ES/MF), the stakes were high. This wasn’t just another HVAC job, this was about ensuring reliability for critical laboratory spaces, where downtime simply isn’t an option.
The existing fan system was a legacy double-inlet arrangement, with two motors, two belts, and one big problem: a single point of failure. For a facility where air quality and safety are paramount, this old setup posed a serious risk. Not only was reliability an issue, but efficiency and maintainability were falling short of what the University expected for such an important building.
The retrofit plan
From the outset, the team aimed to deliver a modern, future-proof solution. This meant utilising the benefits of a multiple fan array, an efficiency and redundancy-focused grid configuration of highly efficient plug fans. The pre-manufactured frame of the grid was fabricated and installed by AirHandlers Northern. This was then fitted out by Axair, which supplied and installed Rosenberg I-Wheel 450 EC plug fans and wiring cabinet. Wiring was completed to ensure future scalability with Modbus connectivity if required. Six fans were integrated into the wall, providing well above an N+1 redundancy setup, so if one fan went down, the system would continue to perform without compromising laboratory operations.
The scope of works:
Fan wall installation.
Removal of the old belt-driven fans and inverters, construction of a new wall with EC plug fans, and installation of a dedicated control enclosure for easier maintenance.
Flexible duct replacement
Survey and planned replacement of deteriorated flex ducting in the labs, with access challenges overcome using desksurfer platforms.
BMS outstation upgrades
Progressive replacement of controls to bring Level 3 systems up to modern standards, with seamless integration to the University’s air quality and safety systems.
Every retrofit project has surprises, and Oxford was no different, but the team adapted quickly. Flexibility was key. Site inductions were arranged around university schedules, ensuring lab activity could continue while work progressed in the background.
The results
The new fan wall with six EC plug fans delivered a robust, energy-efficient airflow solution with true redundancy, the upgraded BMS outstations now provide real-time monitoring and tighter integration with laboratory systems, and the strong teamwork across contractors and University staff meant challenges were met head-on, with minimal disruption to ongoing research activity.
So, what lessons were learned from this case study? Firstly, always plan for the unexpected, access and services are rarely as straightforward as they appear on paper, clear communication between disciplines is critical when electrical, mechanical, and safety systems overlap, and N+1 might be standard, but designing above N+1 gives clients the peace of mind they need for critical environments.
Conclusion
From removing outdated belt-driven fans to installing a modern EC FanGrid, the Oxford labs project shows how retrofitting isn’t
just about replacing like-for-like. It’s about rethinking reliability, safety and efficiency, and delivering solutions that will serve demanding facilities for years to come.
To learn more about how Axair’s AHU retrofit capabilities can transform reliability, efficiency and redundancy in critical environments, get in touch with the Axair, or learn more about AHU retrofit using a multiple fan array visit its solutions page.
Don’t take our word for it, meet the experts who made it
You’ve seen the bold headlines, the cheeky campaigns, the promise to shake up a tired industry. But here’s the truth, revolutions don’t happen without people. And ours? They’re sharp, passionate, and relentless in making your experience better. They’re the ones who respond in minutes, not days. The ones who actually care if your system works. The ones who make ‘revolting’ more than a marketing line.
Andrew Jones
Making the Shift to Intelligent Warehouses
Warehouse automation specialist Dexory defines the key milestones of warehouse digitalisation and explains how manufacturers stand to benefit from intelligent warehouse operations, now and in the near future.
The digitalisation journey for warehouse operations in manufacturing reaches a new stage with the Intelligent warehouse. A key transition happened when warehouses went from Blind to Observable, meaning that fewer activities were handled manually and more technology was introduced, saving managers from significant known and hidden costs.
The next major milestone is represented by the integration of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into manufacturing warehouse workflows. The Intelligent warehouse enables predictive models, automations and optimisations that were not possible before. AI will become a key component in insight generation, without eliminating a human’s role in validating decisions and turning them into action.
For the first time, warehouses can adopt a truly proactive approach, rather than simply reacting to problems as they occur.
The Intelligent warehouse unlocks a new set of capabilities
Data-driven optimisations: data is collected and analysed in real-time, through autonomous data-gathering robots that feed the information to AI-enhanced central platforms (digital twins). Low-value, time-consuming tasks are streamlined, supporting a more efficient use of resources.
Proactive decision-making: AI helps warehouses move from being reactive to identifying and anticipating issues before they appear, based on intelligent data and insights. For example, DexoryView can flag at-risk bays with the power of AI so its customers can proactively prevent
overloads, thus ensuring safety for staff and machinery.
Human-centric approach: it is important to highlight that even though AI is used increasingly more for data interpretation, humans remain the main decisionmakers. AI powered platforms can make recommendations, suggest more efficient workflows, analyse data and compare it with previous scenarios or potential future trends, but managers are the ones who make the final call. Technology augments people’s skills and know-how.
What does it look like in practice
While the benefits of Intelligent warehouses may sound theoretical, many manufacturing organisations are already seeing tangible results that help them optimise workflows, minimise production delays and costly expedites, and avoid material losses.
• 25% cost reduction in fulfilling orders
• $174k recovered in misplaced stock
• Over 80% reduction in manual effort
for wall-to-wall and cycle count inventory checks
• Improved space utilisation and service levels
• 219% ROI and less than 6-month payback period achieved
Conclusion
The shift to AI-powered tools is happening fast because of its clear benefits. One of the most critical factors for successful AI adoption goes beyond costs; it is about building trust. Warehouse staff and managers need to be confident that AIperformed activities are accurate and ethical, and that their careers are safe.
Transparency, consistency and collaboration are key in proving that AI can support growth, bring value and enhance people’s capabilities and free up their time, not replace them. Organisations must foster a culture of trust and innovation to lay the foundation for the next milestone.
dexory.com/solutions
Warehouses of the future: A critical foundation for U.S. manufacturing
The latest research from Dexory highlights how next-generation technologies are unlocking productivity, resilience, and growth, as well as how robotics, digital twins, and real-time data are reshaping the industry.
Here’s what industry leaders are achieving with smarter warehouse systems:
• 2–3x throughput gains from robotics and automation
• Up to 30% efficiency boost with digital twins
• 99.9% inventory accuracy with real-time data
• Zero production delays and improved audit readiness
• $4.3M in quantified benefits, 219% ROI
Fortress Responds to Rise in Food Recalls
In 2024, the number of UK food recalls increased by 10%. Food safety specialist Phil Brown from Fortress Technology examines the rationale behind this rise and how a multi-layered approach to food inspections and contaminant detection can help to keep food and consumers even safer.
Prepared foods, including pasta and noodles, accounted for the most common UK and global recall category, followed by confectionery in 2024. Nearly a quarter of a recalls (23%) were a result of labelling errors. Detection technologies serve as critical safeguards against the most common contaminant risks —foreign objects. Metal detectors and X-ray systems help manufacturers identify and reject contaminants like metal flakes, nutshells, or dense plastic fragments at various points in production. These are increasingly being
combined with checkweighers and vision systems to advance quality control.
“It is always important to reflect and assess. A recall can and does happen to anyone. Even processors with robust inspection policies and technologies. Rather than asking ‘if’, processors should always consider ‘when’. Mitigating future contaminant risks means proactively identifying vulnerabilities before they surface. None of this effort is wasted,” highlights Phil.
Although every production line has unique challenges, a customised, multitech approach—based on thorough risk analysis—gives manufacturers the best
chance of maintaining product integrity and consumer trust. It can be commonplace to see two technologies, for example metal detection and checkweighing or X-ray and vision, in combination inspection units or even multi-lane configurations. Fortress eventually anticipates wider adoption and integration of all these technologies in food production environments, particularly at the end of the HACCP packaging lines.
Customise with confidence
Decisions regarding the implementation of these inspection systems should be
grounded in a thorough risk analysis of every manufacturer’s processes. This approach ensures that the chosen systems effectively mitigate potential risks specific to the production environment, such as foreign object contamination or compliance issues.
It is equally important to note that no single technology can catch every possible contaminant. That’s why pairing metal detection with X-ray or vision inspection creates a layered defence system. This is especially effective in complex food production processes, such as prepared meals.
For example, X-ray machines employ density detection and will therefore more easily identify denser contaminants, including some metals, glass, ceramic, high density plastics, and most stones. However, there are certain metals that can be more challenging to detect in food products using X-ray, including lightweight foil strips found in PPE, very thin box blades and thin metal flakes. Although visible to a metal detector, in contrast, there’s not enough density differential between the lower density metal and the product being inspected for an X-ray to detect.
Since label errors typically account for the greatest number of recalls in the UK and Europe, followed by hygiene issues and then foreign object contaminations, machine vision is increasingly being adopted in more advanced systems to assist with label checks. Fortress already anticipates this trend escalating, particularly among global suppliers who will need to adhere to the forthcoming FDA Final Rule if supplying products into the US. Although this rule doesn’t specifically apply to all food products, it does set a precedence for traceability which all processors should try to emulate.
Data Decisions
Maintaining high safety standards while also improving line efficiency is another widespread pressure. To meet both objectives, modern inspection systems are being engineered with smarter features that allow for earlier intervention, faster fault detection, and more precise quality control.
For example, integrated inline checkweighing and vision inspection support quality assurance by verifying pack weights and catching packaging or allergen-related errors on food labels. All these features are increasingly supported by intelligent software platforms which allow manufacturers to
monitor system performance, generate compliance reports, and streamline traceability efforts from a central dashboard. These software solutions can assist food processors to respond quickly to recalls if issued. Fortress is already using its own proprietary data software package, Contact 4.0, across its metal detection and checkweighing technologies. This enables quality managers to review, collect data and securely oversee the performance of multiple Fortress metal detectors, checkweighers or combination inspection machines connected on the same network.
Utilising automated data integration technologies like OPC UA Adapters and Ethernet/IP Adapters provides those with established data reporting processes the opportunity to merge inspection data and stream within the firewall of a business network. With these solutions, data tags defined by each processor are converted in real time to an internal business database. These could be pulled into enterprise resource planning (ERP) or other structured plant monitoring systems, providing valuable oversight to support flexible production.
When balancing the risks and rewards of investing in optimised inspection systems, many users don’t perceive them as generating value for their business
beyond the need to comply with customer demands, such as retailer codes of practice. However, overlooking the long-term benefits could be an expensive mistake cautions Phil: “By weighing the cost of equipment versus the cost of a product recall, the decision to invest in good quality, easy to integrate inspection equipment should a simple one.”
For more practical guidance on how customised technologies are bolstering quality control and recall response rates for manufacturers with a fast ROI, download one of the latest Fortress Technology whitepapers.
LiftEx 2025: the Pinnacle of Lifting
It’s time again to look forward to LiftEx, which this year takes place at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 18th & 19th November. The annual flagship event of LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) features companies demonstrating outstanding products and services on the exhibition floor to showcase the pinnacle of lifting equipment, solutions and practice.
LiftEx is supported by RiConnect, a provider of cloudbased Software as a Service (SaaS), as Headline Sponsor, along with sponsors Yoke and Hoist. The show floor will be packed across both days with over 100 brands exhibiting innovations to improve efficiency and safety. A broad array of lifting and materials handling equipment will be on display as well as a variety of chains, ropes, slings and rigging along with accessories.
There will be engineering and manufacturing services as well as height safety equipment and services. Visitors will find load monitoring equipment, IT solutions and test machinery. They can also learn about lifting and safety training.
LEEA, established across the world as the leading representative body for all those involved in the Lifting Industry, will have its usual prominent stand for visitors to meet and engage with the Association’s team for lifting advice, to learn about training and to hear about the many benefits of becoming a LEEA member.
Thought leadership
The Thought Leadership Conference at LiftEx will take place on Day 1 of the exhibition. A line-up of highly informative presentations commences with LEEA promoting enhanced standards and sustainable development in a seminar titled: ‘Future-Proofing the Lifting Industry: Perspectives and Predictions’. This will look at the forces shaping the Lifting Industry and explore emerging trends, technological innovations as well as giving strategic insights that will define the sector’s future.
Wim Fabricius, President & Managing Director, EMEA of Kito Crosby, will present
‘You are only as strong as your team –Building the future through talent’. The theme: that the Lifting Industry stands at a crossroads as companies grapple with attracting and retaining new talent while navigating rapid shifts in technology and business models.
Tim Battersby, Technical Sales Manager at RiConnect, will give an ‘Introduction to the Digital Product Passport’. Attendees will become familiar with the objectives of the Digital Product Passport, understand what we know so far on the DPP and learn what we can do now to prepare for future digitalisation requirements.
Anton van der Zalm, Vice President Corporate Research & Development at Van Beest BV, will give a presentation titled: ‘From Surface to Seabed and Back: Innovations in Load Release and Retrieval’; as subsea operations become more complex and efficiency-driven, the technology behind load release and retrieval continues to evolve.
Adeoluwa Bamgbade, Temporary Works Coordinator at SCS Railways, will examine ‘Tunnel Boring Machine Shield Extraction on HS2 London Tunnels’, sharing how SCS
engineered bespoke lifting solutions, applied advanced planning tools, and ensured safety throughout complex operations.
Ollie Brown, Economist at GlobalData Plc, will discuss ‘Vertical Construction amid Evolving International Trade’, which will cover market trends, new project developments and maritime trade dynamics and implications.
End user seminars
On Day 2 of LiftEx, Wednesday 19 November, there will be an End User Seminar. The programme features Andy Cartwright, Technical Manager at Mentor, looking at ‘Slinging vs Lashing: The Critical Difference’. Learn why choosing the correct method for load securement is essential for safety and compliance. This session will highlight the practical and regulatory differences between slinging and lashing, helping end users avoid common pitfalls and reduce risk on site.
Don’t miss out on LiftEx 2025 – register below for a free ticket.
liftex25.eventreference.com
The PPMA Total Show® 2025 a Huge Success
Automate UK, the organisers of the PPMA Total Show®, the UK’s biggest processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision event, have hailed the show a great success, with exceptional feedback and significant advance bookings for 2026.
The event, which took place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 23-25 September, showcased more than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands, and played host to an extensive programme of seminars and expertise courtesy of guest speakers.
Scott McKenna, Chief Operating Officer at Automate UK, said he was thrilled with the response to the show.
“Now in its 38th year, we were committed to making the PPMA Total Show® the best yet, and I think we succeeded in doing just that – we are absolutely delighted at the feedback we’ve received from exhibitors and visitors alike. The calibre of stands created by our exhibitors was superb, resulting in a thriving atmosphere and an environment packed with innovation and inspiration,” he said.
“The standout feature of the show was our newly designed theatres, which set the scene for our seminar schedule, live demonstration sessions from our Innovations Eleven exhibitors and keynote speakers.
“As anticipated, our keynote addresses from Priya Lakhani OBE, former Sainsburys CEO Mike Coupe, and Levi Roots were extremely well received, with standing room only for their sessions, while the diverse range of seminars we provided attracted a great deal of engagement from visitors. We were particularly pleased with the interest in our seminars on apprenticeships, as education and development are a huge part of what Automate UK are lobbying for and trying to drive forward,” he added.
The event also incorporated the Automate UK Awards, which took place on the evening of 24 September and saw comedian Katherine Ryan and Irish supergroup Boyzlife entertain the audience, while recognising innovation and excellence achievements throughout the automation industry.
The ceremony saw Ishida Europe receive the Innovative Processing System accolade, Acrovision presented with the award for Innovative Vision Solution and Scayl awarded with the Innovative Packaging accolade. Fistram Pumps was named as the winner of the highly competitive Outstanding Customer Service award, while the Innovative Robotics/Automation Solution award was presented to Reeco
Acrovision and Herma UK secured the Partnership of the Year award in recognition of their collaboration in delivering highperformance, reliable labelling and vision solutions.
In addition, Foenix Coding was awarded the Environmental Initiative of the Year for its direct carton printing technology, which eliminates materials from the value chain of a product, and Christian Pullen from Huxley Bertram Engineering was presented with the prestigious Apprentice of the Year award in recognition of his leadership potential, commitment to the sector, and positive impact in inspiring more young people to pursue careers within automation and manufacturing.
The ceremony also presented Albert
Bradley, a highly skilled engineer and industry pioneer who retired this year at the age of 84 after 68 years in the packaging machinery business, with the Lifetime Achievement award.
Scott added: “Planning is now underway for the PPMA Show® 2026, with a significant number of bookings being taken from exhibitors on site.”
To book space for the PPMA Show® 2026, please visit:
ppmashow.co.uk/exhibit/stand-enquiry
22-24 September 2026, NEC Birmingham
UK Metals Expo 2025 Cements its Status
Last month, UK Metals Expo 2025 cemented its status as the industry’s leading event and now announces new November 2026 dates alongside Advanced Engineering.
UK Metals Expo closed its biggest edition to date at the NEC Birmingham, strengthening its position as the UK’s leading marketplace for the metals and manufacturing community.
Visitor engagement and satisfaction surged:
• 8.4/10 average visitor score: up from 2024.
• 86% likely to recommend UKME: a strong endorsement from the industry.
• +27% increase in dwell time: visitors now spend an average of 2h 38m onsite.
“It was inspiring to see the entire steel industry under one roof. The atmosphere was buzzing with energy, a mix of learning, networking, engaging discussions, and new opportunities.” Piyush Porwar, Managing Director.
“The Expo provided a valuable platform to engage in meaningful conversations and demonstrate our commitment to shaping the future of metals.” — Norsk Hydro, sponsor of the Sustainability & Circularity Theatre.
“Day 2 of UK Metals Expo proved to be even better than Day 1… though the expo is so vast that there was no chance of seeing them all!” — Stephen Barclay, Head of Executive Office, Tata Steel.
Exhibitors report record interest
The event saw a 45% increase in new exhibitors in 2025, signalling accelerating supplier demand.
“It was our first time exhibiting at this show… we had a fantastic two days meeting so many of you from across different companies and industries.” — Cottam Brush.
“We’re still buzzing from the energy, the conversations, and the shared passion for
innovation in the metals industry.” — Boal Extrusion.
“We had a fantastic time showcasing our machines, running live demos, and connecting with so many attendees and exhibitors.” — HPC Laser.
A fixture on the sector’s calendar
With 5,315 unique visitors and over 7,000 total attendees from 55 countries, UK Metals Expo 2025 delivered its most global and comprehensive edition yet.
More than 320 exhibitors and 148 speakers across four theatres brought the full metals value chain together under one roof.
“UK Metals Expo has become a real fixture on the sector’s calendar. It’s a unique event for people from the UK steel sector and further afield to gather together in one place.” — Kaye Ayub, Senior Consultant, MEPS International.
“Coming from manufacturing, it’s been easy to fall into the trap of ‘we know the problem.’ But the truth is, more often than not… you don’t. That’s why getting out there at the UK Metals Expo was so valuable.” — Adam Stockwell, iMaintain.
Looking ahead: new dates, new scale
Following its 2024 acquisition by Easyfairs, UK Metals Expo will move to 4–5 November 2026 at NEC Hall 4. The event will run alongside Advanced Engineering and LAB Innovations, creating the UK’s largest gathering for metals, manufacturing and engineering, while retaining its own dedicated hall and identity.
This combined platform will expand opportunities for buyers, engineers and policymakers to source, learn and collaborate on an unprecedented scale.
By the numbers (2025)
• 5,315 unique visitors, 7,000+ total attendees (the largest gathering to date)
• 55 countries represented
• 320+ exhibitors across the full value chain
• 148 speakers, 40 sessions across four theatres
• Visitor satisfaction: 8.4 / 10
• 86% would recommend UKME to colleagues
UK Metals Expo and Advanced Engineering will run together on 4–5 November 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. ukmetalsexpo.com/exhibit/
The Heart of British Manufacturing & Electronics
10000+ attendees 28 years as the South’s leading industry show
550+ exhibitors
Kickstart 2026 at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics - the UK’s leading industrial event. Join 550+ suppliers, from global giants to agile SMEs, in one dynamic marketplace. Connect, innovate and drive your projects forward at the South’s essential meeting point for manufacturing and electronics.
I’ve found it incredibly useful - great for sparking new ideas and making valuable contacts. It’s exciting to discover a wide range of technologies and products I hadn’t come across before. It’s an excellent way to stay up to date with the latest industry trends. The event is massive, with so much to see. I’d definitely recommend attending, and I’m really looking forward to the seminars!
Peter Bates, Design Engineer, Rolls-Royce
3D Print Manufacturing
Midlands 3D Printing
T: 01785 594389
E: sales@midlands3d.com
W: www.midlands3d.com
Anti Vibration Products, Mounts & Bushes
Fibet Rubber Bonding (UK) Ltd
T: 01282 878200
E: sales@fibet.co.uk
W: www.fibet.co.uk
Connectors & Cabling Solutions
CEMBRE Ltd
T: 01675 470 440
E: sales@cembre.co.uk
W: www.cembre.com/en
Design-In Power Supply Solutions
Ideal Power
T: 01733 309865
E: salessupport@idealpower.co.uk
W: www.idealpower.co.uk
Drives, Motors & Gears
Flow Meters
Nord
T: 01235 534404
E: GB-sales@nord.com
W: www.nord.com
Industrial Fans
Axair Fans UK Limited
T: 01782 349 430
E: sales@axair-fans.co.uk
W: www.axair-fans.co.uk
Machine Safety
Schmersal UK Ltd
T: 01684 571980
E: uksupport@schmersal.com
W: www.schmersal.co.uk
Marking Solutions
T-Mark
T: 0330 153 8320
E: sales@t-mark.co.uk
W: www.t-mark.co.uk
Pressure Measurement Specialists
ESI Technology Ltd
T: +44 (0)1978262255
E: sales@esi-tec.com
W: www.esi-tec.com
Robotics & Automation
KUKA Robotics UK Ltd
T: 0121 505 9970
E: sales.uk@kuka.com
W: www.kuka.com
Sensors
Titan Enterprises Ltd
T: +44 (0)1935 812790
E: sales@flowmeters.co.uk
W: www.flowmeters.co.uk
High Shear Mixing Equipment
Silverson Machines Ltd
T: +44 (0)1494 786331
E: sales@silverson.co.uk
W: www.silverson.co.uk
Industrial Communications
Brainboxes
T: + 44 (0) 151 220 2500
E: sales@brainboxes.com
W: www.brainboxes.com
Intoware
T: 0115 977 8969
E: hello@intoware.com
W: www.intoware.com
IFM Electronic
T: 020 8213-0000
E: enquiry.gb@ifm.com
W: www.ifm.com
PLUS Automation Ltd
T: 0121 58 222 58
E: Sales@PLUSAutomation.co.uk
W: www.PLUSAutomation.co.uk
Storage Solutions
BITO Storage Systems Ltd.
T: 02476 388 852
E: Info.uk@bito.com
W: www.bito.com
Test & Inspection
AMETEK Land (Land Instruments International)
T: +44 1246 417691
E: land.enquiry@ametek.com
W: www.ametek-land.com
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Engineer
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NEW COMMAND & SIGNALLING DEVICES FOR FOOD PROCESSING: SANITATION MEETS INNOVATION
Schmersal now offers a complete range of innovative command and signalling devices specifically designed for hygiene-sensitive environments in the food processing industry.
Engineered for maximum cleanliness and reliability, these devices feature seamless transitions between sealing elements and surfaces, no protruding parts makes them exceptionally easy to clean. Their robust design withstands high-pressure washdowns and aggressive cleaning agents, meeting the highest hygiene standards.
With 147 device options available including mushroom pushbuttons, selector switches, and potentiometer-rotary switches you have the freedom to configure your control panels exactly how you need them.
Whether you are upgrading existing systems or building new equipment, this range offers the flexibility to design a safe and hygienic human-machine interface that fits your exact requirements.
For added customisation, all devices can be supplied with individual laser marking, including your company logo.
