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Manufacturing

Aviation services firm AerFin look to accelerate as it unveils new South Wales HQ

Aviation asset specialist AerFin has relocated to new headquarters in Newport in an investment doubling its capacity. It has entered into a 10-year lease for 116,000 sq ft of office and industrial space at Indurent Park (formerly St Modwen Park) in Newport. The £170m turnover business buys, sells, leases and repairs aircraft, engines and parts. It said its new HQ, which has seen it relocating from a smaller operation in Bedwas, marks a significan...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-30 18:04

Rolls-Royce shares skyrocket as iconic company brings back dividends

Rolls-Royce has announced the reinstatement of dividends and launched a £1bn share buyback programme as its full-year profit significantly exceeded expectations. The FTSE 100 engineering behemoth, which has major UK sites in Derby and near Bristol, proposed a 6p per share dividend for investors on Thursday, marking its first payout since the onset of the pandemic, as reported by City AM. A £1bn share buyback scheme will also kick off immediately ...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-28 18:28

Cycling accessories firm secures funding to expand Bristol HQ

A Bristol cycling accessories designer and manufacturer has secured £600,000 to fuel its expansion plans. Tailfin, on Cumberland Road, is part of the rapidly-growing 'bikepacking' market - an adventure-focused cycling discipline where cyclists carry all necessary gear on their bikes. The company was founded a decade ago by Nick Broadbent, a mechanical engineer and product designer, and initially focused on rack and pannier accessories. Today, Tai...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-27 11:27

Tekmar Group set for 'growth like never before' after posting strong earnings boost

Bosses at offshore specialist Tekmar say its markets are aligned “for growth like never before” after seeing its earnings rise to the highest level in five years. Based in Newton Aycliffe, Tekmar Group offers technology, services and products to customers around the world, with offices, manufacturing facilities, strategic supply partnerships and representation in 18 locations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America....

in Manufacturing 2026-03-27 11:23

Aston Martin announces job cuts of 170 staff as part of cost-saving measures

Luxury vehicle manufacturer Aston Martin has announced plans to slash 170 jobs as part of a cost-cutting strategy aimed at reviving its faltering share price. The proposed cuts represent five per cent of the company's global workforce and are expected to yield savings of around £25m, as reported by City AM. The announcement comes on the heels of Aston Martin, which has its HQ in Gaydon and a factory at St Athan in South Wales, reporting an expand...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-25 11:07

Bentley issues warning over China demand as profits and revenue fall

Bentley Motors has announced a decrease in profit and revenue, with its CEO attributing the decline to reduced demand in China. The luxury car manufacturer, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, reported an annual operating profit of €373m (£314m) and revenue of €2.6bn (£2.2bn), as reported by City AM. Although this profit is the sixth highest in Bentley's history, it represents a drop of over a third from the €589m recorded last year. CEO Dr Frank-Steffen...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-22 11:11

Nissan reveals new European range including Sunderland-built Leaf and Juke - and a comeback for the Micra

Automotive giant Nissan has shown images of the third generation Leaf model which is due to go into production at Sunderland later this year. The Japanese car maker has also announced it is reviving the Micra name for a new all-electric supermini to be launched this year, though that model will be designed in London and built in France. Meanwhile engineers are still working on a new, all-electric Juke - which will follow the Leaf onto production ...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-20 18:40

Newcastle College launches £850k advanced manufacturing skills facility

Leaders from some of Tyneside's top manufacturing and engineering companies have attended the launch of Newcastle College's new Advanced Manufacturing Suite. Delegates from firms such as Siemens Energy, Baker Hughes and Shepherd Offshore were shown the newly kitted out facility at the college's Rye Hill Campus, where cutting edge technology including robotics, 3D modelling equipment and CNC machines have been brought in to train students who coul...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-19 11:03

Nissan supplier to launch £48.7m North East factory creating 183 jobs

A key supplier to Nissan has signed a deal with the Government to bring a £48.7m factory to the North East, which could employ up to 183 people. Jatco, which stands for Japan Automatic Transmission Transmission company and was formed by Nissan in 1970, is refitting and expanding a 138,840 sqft building at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park which was originally built for an automotive supplier but subsequently became the Nightingale Hos...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-18 11:51

Liverpool and Greater Manchester will have 'key role in global space economy' thanks to landmark deal with Axiom Space

The North West is set to play a major role in the global space economy, following a landmark agreement between Mayor Steve Rotheram and his Greater Manchester counterpart Andy Burnham with Axiom Space - the developer of the first commercial space station. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will lay the groundwork for collaboration on space-based research, development, and manufacturing, with the aim of positioning the North West as a global hu...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-16 11:45

Plan revealed for £20m industrial research facility in Port Talbot

Plans for a new multi-million-pound industrial research facility in south Wales have been submitted. The proposed facility, named the South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub, or Switch, would be located in the Harbourside area of Port Talbot if given approval by Neath Port Talbot council, and is a part of the Swansea Bay City deal. It would see the creation of a £20m facility, designed and built by Morgan Sindall Construction, for a pur...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-16 18:14

Promotional products firm 4imprint reports 10% rise in profit

4imprint, the promotional products manufacturer, has announced a 10% increase in profit for 2024, outperforming the wider market and growing its market share. The company revealed to markets this morning that revenue climbed by three per cent year on year to £1.36bn, up from £1.32bn the previous year, as reported by City AM. The London-based firm reported receiving 2.12m orders in 2024, an increase from 2.09m in 2023, with the "increase in existi...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-14 18:52

More than 400 jobs lost as metalwork operation collapses only months after rescue

A metalwork firm that employed hundreds of people in the North East, Midlands and South East has collapsed only months after it was rescued in a pre-pack administration deal. In September, Fablink Group was acquired in a near £3m deal by investors Praetura Commercial Finance and TDC Impact Limited, which backed director Richard Westley in a new venture called Wharfside Industrials. Administrators at the time hoped a string of pre-pack deals invol...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-12 11:17

Cheshire's Packaging One doubles workforce having secured seven figure funding deal

Jobs have been created by family-run Packaging One following a seven-figure funding deal from NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland. The provider of protective wrappings and boxes, among other products, intends to double its workforce to 80 people following the funding injection. Expansion into the firm's 44,000 sqft premises in Middlewich has given Packaging One increased manufacturing capabilities by about 70% amid a recently secured contract with...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-12 11:41

Jatco boss eyes wider European opportunities with new Sunderland factory

Japanese automotive supplier Jatco says its forthcoming North East factory will serve hopes of wider European work, including with brands such as Volkswagen and BMW. The majority Nissan-owned transmission specialist says 80% of its capacity at the newly announced Sunderland factory will be given over to production of drivetrains for Nissan's all-electric models that are built at its nearby plant. Jatco boss Tomoyoshi Sato said he also hoped to se...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-11 18:38

Ibstock slashes dividends as profit tumbles amid 'subdued market conditions'

Ibstock, the London-listed brickmaker, has cut its annual dividend payout following a drop in profit and revenue due to "subdued market conditions." The company reported a nearly one-third decrease in pre-tax profit to £21m for the year ending 31 December. Ibstock attributed this figure to a "lower trading performance" and the impact of a one-off £12m charge, as reported by City AM. Revenue fell by 10% to £366m as sales slowed. The group cited a ...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-09 18:44

Tata Steel in green steel supply deal with JCB

The £1.2bn electric arc furnace at Port Talbot will supply steel to construction equipment manufacturer JCB once operational. The electric arc furnace (EAF) from Tata Steel UK, following the ending of blast furnace primary steelmaking at Port Talbot, is scheduled to become operational in 2027. The supply contract between the Indian-owned steelmaker and JCB, currently in the form of a memorandum of understanding, is the first since Tata announced ...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-09 11:01

Rolls-Royce CEO's pay slashed by almost £10m despite huge rise in FTSE 100 shares

Tufan Erginbilgic, the CEO of Rolls-Royce, has experienced a significant reduction in his pay by nearly £10m, despite his successful turnaround of the FTSE 100 heavyweight. The Derby-based company's latest financial year saw Erginbilgic pocketing £4.1m, a stark contrast to the £13.6m he earned in the previous 12 months, as reported by City AM. His earlier remuneration was inflated by a £7.5m compensation for earnings lost from a former job. Anoth...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-08 11:31

Iconic Raleigh bicycles report significant losses amid sales increase and market pressures

Raleigh, the renowned bicycle manufacturer, has reported a significant loss of over £30 million despite halting a sustained decline in sales. The Nottinghamshire-based company, historically the world's largest bike producer, disclosed a pre-tax loss of £30.1 million for 2023, following a £6.8 million loss in 2022. According to the latest accounts filed with Companies House, Raleigh saw its turnover rise from £55.7 million to £57.7 million during ...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-06 18:56

Cranswick beefs up margins targets as it partners with Sainsbury on £61m project

Meat producer Cranswick has upgraded profit targets following a strong fourth quarter of demand for its pork and poultry products. The Hessle-based supplier to major supermarkets has beefed up medium term operating margin ambitions from 6% to about 7.5% as it said it was on target to meet adjusted pre-tax profit expectations of between £190m-£195.1m. Cranswick, which is celebrating its 50th year, gave the update ahead of preliminary results for t...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-06 18:32

Yara confirms Howden fertiliser plant is on track for production next year amid Hull closure

Fertiliser giant Yara International says it is on track to commission its forthcoming East Yorkshire site this year, despite mothballing its Hull ammonia plant. The Norwegian multinational says the commissioning phase for its Yara Vita and Yara Amplix production plant in Howden will take place at the end of this year, before full production is expected to start in the first half of 2026. Work has been under way at the £50m Ozone Business Park sit...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-04 18:20

Black Country manufacturer secures funding to boost exports and green credentials

A Black Country manufacturer has secured new funding to support its exporting activities and improve its green credentials. Halesowen-based Swift & Whitmore has received almost £10,000 in grant finance from Business Growth West Midlands to target £8 million in sales and decarbonise its operations. The company is one of the last remaining UK manufacturers of resin-bonded abrasives, supplying more than 200 different products to customers in sec...

in Manufacturing 2026-03-02 18:30

North East automotive sector could see thousands of jobs created once current 'turbulence' is overcome

Building of new electric vehicle models and the batteries to power them has the potential to create up to 3,500 jobs in the North East, a key car manufacturing group has indicated. The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) says the region's industry has a combined turnover of £10.3bn and employs about 27,000 people but could create significant growth once current turbulence in the sector has been navigated. A significant part of that activity is ...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-28 18:54

Heinz beans factory and Stanlow refinery win Government green backing as North West continues Net Zero push

Heinz’s massive baked bean plant in Wigan and the giant Stanlow oil refinery in Cheshire have both won Government backing to help them go green. Industry minister Sarah Jones says the latest round of Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) cash is aimed at “helping some of Britain’s favourite businesses to cut their carbon emissions” – and the scheme is now backing several North West businesses. Kraft Heinz secured £2.5m from the fund toward...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-27 11:43

UK Government launches new steel council

The UK Government has initiated a new steel council, which includes members from Tata Steel and British Steel, in response to the thousands of job losses experienced in the UK last year. The council is set to guide plans for the industry, supported by an investment of up to £2.5bn. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who will preside over the council's inaugural meeting today stated that steel communities have "had enough of lurching from crisi...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-26 18:22

Aston Martin to pay top bosses more than peers after struggling to attract talent

Aston Martin is set to outstrip its FTSE 250 counterparts by offering higher remuneration packages to its top executives, following difficulties in attracting high-calibre talent in recent years. The luxury car manufacturer, based in Warwickshire, is considering boosting the bonus potential for its CEO and CFO from 200% to 250% of their respective salaries, as reported by City AM. In a statement, Aston Martin noted that "while this would position...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-26 11:53

UK's manufacturing sector sees sharpest job losses since 2020 as demand plummets

The UK's manufacturing sector has seen its activity drop to a fourteen-month low, according to a new survey. This is due to lower demand and weak confidence within the industry. The S&P's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) revealed that downturns have deepened as firms prepare for changes in the Government's budget, as reported by City AM. The PMI fell to 46.9 from 47.0 in January, which was then the lowest level in 11 months. Des...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-24 18:36

100 jobs lost as Gateshead's Virtuoso Doors falls into administration

Jobs have been lost amid the collapse of a £23m turnover door manufacturer with its factory in Gateshead. Virtuoso Doors, which specialised in making composite doors for the residential market from its 120,000 sqft facility, had been part of the Customade Group which included Norwich-based Polyframe, Gloucestershire-based Customade Limited and Stevenswood Limited. Administrators were called into the group following losses in recent years, with tw...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-21 11:27

Funding deal for sensor manufacturer

A manufacturer of sensor equipment has secured nearly £800,000 in new funding to help food and beverage clients speed up their cleaning processes. Birmingham-based 4T2 Sensors will use the funding to secure certifications for hazardous environments and hire for key positions. Based on Birmingham Research Park in Edgbaston, 4T2 Sensors has developed a fluid analysis and monitoring sensor which can be used by customers in the food and beverage indu...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-18 11:25

Spirax Group reports fall in full-year profits amid restructure

Cheltenham-headquartered engineering firm Spirax Group has reported a fall in profits for the financial year. The FTSE-100 company posted a 1% fall in reported revenue to £1.6bn for the 12 months to December 31, 2024. Adjusted profit before tax fell to £288.2m from £309.2m the year previously. The company said global industrial production growth for the full year was lower than had been forecast and second half recovery did not materialise with i...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-18 11:05

South West bucks UK manufacturing decline as aerospace and defence firms report 'strong' start to 2025

Aerospace and defence firms in the West of England are experiencing "very strong demand" for business, bucking a wider UK decline in manufacturing, according to a new report. Manufacturers across the region have reported a strong start to the year, the survey by national manufacturing body Make UK and business advisory firm BDO found. Both output (+32%) and orders (+39%) were positive, with the forecast set to improve further in the next quarter....

in Manufacturing 2026-02-16 18:50

Nissan hails biodiversity plan as Sunderland factory site attracts badgers, newts and birds of prey

A rewilding project at the North East's biggest factory is said to have created a habitat in which badgers, water voles and newts are thriving. Automotive giant Nissan says they are just some of the animals to be found on marshland next to its Sunderland factory where it has carried out works to boost biodiversity. Bats, amphibians and birds of prey are also among the species spotted at the area which is next to the manufacturer's wind and solar ...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-16 11:09

Rockwool takes next step towards new Birmingham factory

A manufacturer has moved a step closer to starting work on a huge new facility in north Birmingham. Rockwool has submitted a so-called 'Section 73' application to Birmingham City Council in support of its plans to build a factory on the Peddimore site in Minworth. The company makes stone wool products like building insulation, acoustic ceilings and external cladding for sectors such as construction, marine and offshore. This new Section 73 applic...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-15 11:15

Three Welsh firms awarded contracts to help deliver new £1.25bn electric arc furnace at Port Talbot

Three south Wales contractors have been appointed to deliver key parts of a £1.25bn investment by Tata Steel to deliver a new electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot. The contracts to Bridgend-based companies Darlow Lloyd & Sons, Wernick Buildings, and Swansea-based business, Andrew Scot,t will sustain more than 300 jobs. The investment by Tata, which includes £500m in funding from the UK Government, will see the EAF, that will make steel f...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-14 18:06

Rolls-Royce shares tumble after broker slaps 'neutral' rating on them

Shares in Rolls-Royce dipped over three per cent in early trading today following a downgrade by analysts at investment bank Citi. The FTSE 100 giant's stock was downgraded from a 'Buy' to a 'Neutral' rating, despite an increase in the price target from 555p to 641p. Currently sitting at 576p, the analysts stated that the expected upside was not sufficient to maintain a Buy rating. Despite a strong recovery since the pandemic, they noted that the...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-13 11:35

Penarth headquartered global diagnostics firm EKF appoints new CEO

Penarth headquartered global diagnostics company, EKF Diagnostics, has appointed a new chief executive with immediate effect. The Alternative Investment Market listed business has promoted its chief product officer, Gavin Jones, to the role. Founder of the business, Julian Baines, had been at the helm of the business in an executive chair capacity, a role that he will remain in for the foreseeable future. Penarth-born Mr Baines, said: “I’m deligh...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-11 11:01

North East chip maker Pragmatic backs calls for Government to accelerate semiconductor sector

A North East maker of high tech semiconductors has backed calls for the Government to go further and faster with a national chips strategy. Pragmatic Semiconductor, which has bases in NETPark in Sedgefield and in Cambridge, has supported trade association techUK in its suggestion the National Semiconductor Strategy should be accelerated with measures such as an open access factory and helping to support more large scale private investment. The bo...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-10 11:33

Manufacturer Ebac defaults on loan as challenges continue, new accounts show

Challenging times at North East manufacturer Ebac have continued with the firm defaulting on a loan from a retirement fund, new accounts show. The Durham business, which makes washing machines, dehumidifiers, water coolers and heat pumps, has published delayed accounts for 2023 which show the continuation of a “challenging” few years. Recent years have seen Ebac investing heavily on new products, including domestic heat pumps suitable for the ave...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-07 18:18

Fears for Scunthorpe steelworks jobs as consultation launched on closure

British Steel's Chinese owner Jingye is launching a consultation on the closing of its blast furnaces at Scunthorpe steelworks, sparking fears for thousands of jobs at the site. Unions the GMB, Community and Unite have called on the Government to help secure the future of British Steel, which has said the closure could come at a later date if an agreement is reached. Jingye, which pointed to the impact of tariffs among the reasons for the decisio...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-05 18:14

Gooch & Housego warns of price rises in response to Trump's proposed tariffs

A Somerset components manufacturer has warned it may be forced to increase prices in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs on countries including China and Mexico. Ilminster-based Gooch & Housego, which makes detectors, lasers and fibre optic equipment, said it was "closely monitoring" the situation and the "retaliatory responses" from the nations affected. But it planned to pass on any cost impact to customers. The company told invest...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-04 18:46

Versarien completes sale of South Korean factory for more than £600k

Gloucestershire-based engineering firm Versarien has completed the sale of its South Korean factory and equipment for more than £600,000. The agreement with MCK Tech was announced last March as part of a strategy to monetise intellectual property (IP) through licensing. The transaction was meant to complete last July, but was delayed after MCK Tech asked for an extension to the deadline. Longhope-based Versarien has now received the final payment...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-02 11:49

Losses widen at SIG plc as it tackles 'ongoing challenging' trading conditions

Building supplies company SIG plc saw its losses widen in 2024 in what it called an “ongoing challenging market”. The Sheffield-based company has released results for last year in which its revenues fell 4% from to £2.61bn. That saw the company's pre-tax losses increase from £31.9m a year earlier to £44.8m. SIG said its performance had been “robust” and that it had seen an improvement in sales in the second half of the year. It also highlighted “...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-02 11:57

Cardboard packaging firm DiamondPak in job creating £2m investment

Cardboard packaging specialist DiamondPak is investing £2m in new machinery to cement its position as the UK’s leading supplier to the e-commerce market in an expansion that will increase its headcount by 20%. The Pontypool-based business manufactures more than 50 million corrugated cardboard packages a year, much of which it supplies to leading global e-commerce businesses. DiamondPak is investing in new technology, including purchasing a new do...

in Manufacturing 2026-02-01 18:10

Swansea family-owned engineering firm Afon acquired in management buy-in deal

A Swansea-based and family-owned engineering, fabrication and machining business has been acquired in a management buy-in deal. Formed in 1979 by Mr Anthony Beaujean, Afon Engineering was run by Tony, before passing the reins to his sons Carl and Andrew. After decades of managing the business, which employs more than 50 people in Llansamlet, the family has welcomed on board an experienced new leadership team. The deal, the value of which hasn’t b...

in Manufacturing 2026-01-31 18:12

UK's largest lithium extraction facility to be built in County Durham

Construction of the UK's largest lithium extraction facility in County Durham will go ahead following approval of the project by councillors. Weardale Lithium will extract battery-grade lithium carbonate from geothermal groundwaters at a site left dormant for more than two decades since the Eastgate cement works closed down. It is expected to create between 20 and 50 jobs, and the lithium it will produce is seen as pivotal to the UK's net zero go...

in Manufacturing 2026-01-27 11:59