News · Article

positive Article · Other · 22 Jun 2026 · Penguin PR

You need heart, commitment and a great story to win a King’s Award

Four Derbyshire-based SMEs, including Acres Engineering Europe, have been named winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise. The awards recognise companies that demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability, innovation, export growth or promoting opportunity, and allow recipients to use the official logo in their branding. The article highlights that success requires a deeply embedded company purpose, robust evidence, and compelling storytelling rather than superficial claims.

positive Article · Other · 9 Jun 2026 · Industrial News

Kirkstall adds automated medical machining cell - Industrial News

Kirkstall Precision has installed an automated machining cell consisting of two Brother Speedio M200Xd1-5AX five-axis machining centres linked to a Tezmaksan CubeBOX Blues DR robotic loading and storage system. The Leeds-based manufacturer, which focuses on high-accuracy medical and veterinary components such as surgical instruments, orthopaedic parts and implants, expects the cell to boost output by up to 50% while supporting lights-out production. The investment addresses demand for smaller batches, complex geometries, tight tolerances and validated quality processes in challenging materials including titanium and stainless steel. It also allows skilled machinists to shift from repetitive handling to higher-value tasks such as process development and inspection.

Kirkstall Precision

positive Article · Other · 9 Jun 2026 · City AM

Acres Engineering boosts UK industry with prestigious King’s Award win

Acres Engineering, a UK-based precision engineering and fabrication specialist serving sectors such as aerospace, defence, energy and automotive, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity. The company was recognised for its long-standing commitment to apprenticeships, STEM outreach, social mobility initiatives and professional development, having supported over 100 apprentices and provided employment pathways in skilled manufacturing. It also holds the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award and the Make UK National Manufacturing Impact Award. Acres continues to expand in high-growth areas including defence, hydrogen and nuclear while maintaining its focus on inclusive opportunity and engineering excellence.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 7 May 2026 · Brum Daily

Derbyshire Company Wins King's Award for Promoting Opportunity

Acres Engineering has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category for its long-running People’s First Pledge initiative. The Derbyshire-based engineering firm has delivered over 100 apprenticeships, outreach programmes, work experience and support for individuals from disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds entering the metal fabrication sector. The award recognises the company's commitment to staff development, retention, and social mobility in an industry facing skills shortages. Acres is one of only 185 UK businesses to receive the honour this year and the sole Derbyshire recipient in its category.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 7 May 2026 · Industrial News

Acres Engineering wins King’s Award recognition - Industrial News

Acres Engineering received a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category for its People’s First Pledge initiative. The Derbyshire-based manufacturer was recognised for creating engineering career pathways for individuals from disadvantaged, non-traditional, and under-represented backgrounds through apprenticeships, training, outreach programmes, and inclusive recruitment practices. The company has supported over 100 apprentices and emphasises staff development across various roles while addressing skills shortages in metal fabrication. As one of 186 UK organisations honoured in 2026, Acres Engineering will be able to use the award emblem for five years.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 18 Feb 2026 · UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering “sets national benchmark” after winning prestigious national manufacturing award - UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering won the Manufacturing Impact category at the MAKE UK National Manufacturing Awards for its 'People's Pledge' initiative, which provides work placements, apprenticeships, and career development opportunities for young people in engineering and manufacturing. The Derbyshire-based family firm, which employs around 30 staff, hosts hundreds of school children annually and supports community engagement, including through its Gold Award status under the Armed Forces Covenant. Judges praised the company for setting a national benchmark in using its influence to benefit the wider community. Several current apprentices and a former apprentice who progressed to team leader and a degree apprenticeship shared positive testimonials about their experiences at the firm.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 2 Feb 2026 · East Midlands Business Link

Derbyshire firm wins national Manufacturing Impact Award - East Midlands Business Link

Acres Engineering, a Derbyshire-based family manufacturing firm, won the Manufacturing Impact Award at the Make UK National Manufacturing Awards 2026. Judges highlighted the company's exceptional community engagement, work with children and adults, and its efforts to set industry benchmarks in culture, values, and positive influence beyond production. The award recognizes meaningful impact on people, skills, and the wider manufacturing community. Managing Director Luke Parker attributed the win to the team's culture and the support of clients and partners; the company has also recently contributed to HMS Victory preservation and parliamentary discussions on women in manufacturing.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 5 Nov 2025 · Kaleidex

Kirkstall Precision x Kaleidex - Kaleidex

Kirkstall Precision has been acquired by Kaleidex, a group focused exclusively on building a specialist medical device platform. The transaction brings Kirkstall's orthopaedic manufacturing expertise into a distributed network of complementary capabilities while retaining local leadership, identity and culture. Discussions began at a MedTech trade show in 2023 after Kaleidex representatives expressed interest in Kirkstall's complex instruments and aligned on customer demand for consolidated specialist supply chains. The deal process was described as transparent, efficient and collaborative, completing in July 2024.

Kirkstall Precision

positive Article · Other · 20 Oct 2025 · East Midlands Business Link

Derbyshire firm helps preserve national icon - East Midlands Business Link

Acres Engineering has supplied its StrongHold Trestles to support the masts and yards of HMS Victory during a major conservation project at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The Derbyshire-based firm also donated an additional set of trestles for the work, which is the most significant in the ship's 250-year history. Project lead rigger Stuart Sheldon praised the company's product and service, while Managing Director Luke Parker highlighted the honour of contributing to the preservation of this national icon. The news coincides with Trafalgar Day commemorations and follows the company's recent participation in an Ada Lovelace Day event promoting diversity in UK manufacturing.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 29 Sep 2025 · Derbyshire Times

Derbyshire engineering company opens up the shop floor to 170 young people on National Manufacturing Day

Acres Engineering hosted around 170 young people from eight schools and an army cadet group at its Melbourne facility for National Manufacturing Day. The visitors received a tour of the manufacturing processes from design to spray painting and participated in hands-on engineering activities including virtual welding, drone building, radio assembly, and tower construction. Managing Director Luke Parker emphasized the event's aim to inspire careers in engineering, promote social mobility through apprenticeships and work experience, and celebrate the UK manufacturing sector. Teachers and students provided positive feedback on the experience of seeing real-world engineering and manufacturing processes.

Acres Engineering

positive Article · Other · 30 May 2025 · mtimagazine.com

Lantek delivers top service for DMS Laser Profiles

DMS Laser Profiles replaced its previous system with Lantek software in May 2024, citing fast quotation preparation, accurate cost calculations, easy programming for Trumpf lasers and responsive support as the main benefits. The Maidenhead-based stainless steel fabrication specialist uses the software for quoting, nesting, tracking parts for ISO compliance and generating invoices that integrate with its accounting system. The implementation has improved accuracy for laser cutting, folding, welding and outsourced operations. Lantek engineers also quickly resolved initial cost discrepancies during commissioning.

DMS Laser Profiles

positive Article · Other · 12 Feb 2025 · Machinery Market

Lantek delivers top-class service for DMS Laser Profiles - MM Media

DMS Laser Profiles has received ongoing support and software solutions from Lantek. The engineering company relies on Lantek's CAD/CAM and nesting software to optimise its laser cutting and sheet metal processes. Lantek provides responsive technical service and regular updates that help maintain DMS's operational efficiency and competitiveness.

DMS Laser Profiles

positive Article · Other · 12 Feb 2025 · The Bolton News

Two Bolton businesses ready and prepared for the digital age thanks to new scheme

Velden Engineering and Silcoms participated in the latest cohort of the Leading Digital Transformation programme, run under the government-funded Made Smarter North West Adoption initiative. The three-month course, delivered with Manchester Metropolitan University, provided workshops, webinars, case studies and a visit to a 3D manufacturing centre to help SME manufacturers develop strategies for adopting digital technologies such as sensors, data analytics, 3D printing and smart-factory concepts. Velden Engineering's director and company secretary completed the programme and reported that it helped them define their Industry 4.0 vision, strategy and implementation steps. The programme's co-chair Brian Holliday of Siemens attended the showcase event and praised the participants' focus on people, process, strategy and technology adoption.

Velden Engineering

positive Article · Other · 8 May 2024 · OGP®

Trust Precision Engineering | OGP®

Trust Precision Engineering upgraded its OGP multisensor metrology equipment from a SmartScope ZIP Lite to a SmartScope Flash 200 incorporating ZONE3 metrology software. The new system enables faster, more accurate and consistent measurement of complex components produced for the motorsport, medical and aerospace sectors. Offline programming capabilities and improved repeatability have enhanced inspection efficiency and traceability while reducing machine downtime. The company reports that customers now view its inspection processes as the industry gold standard.

Trust Precision Engineering