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The press and the leads of Britain's precision, laser and sheet metal subcontractors
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DPA Magazine | Why photochemical etching is the ideal solution for Vestatec’s luxury speaker grilles

Vestatec UK, a supplier of luxury automotive speaker grilles to brands such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini, has resumed its longstanding supply relationship with Precision Micro after a break caused by a 2019 fire and subsequent Brexit and pandemic disruptions. Precision Micro uses photochemical etching to produce intricate, high-precision metal speaker grilles that are then formed and finished by Vestatec. The return was driven by improved UK-based capacity, significantly reduced chemical waste through process upgrades, lower costs compared to laser cutting, superior product quality and faster prototyping due to geographical proximity. Precision Micro reported major environmental and operational improvements following its £5.1 million investment after the fire.

Precision Micro · Llanelec Precision Engineering

DPA Magazine | Harvesting particle beams for use in 3D printing

Reliance Precision has partnered with the University of Huddersfield on two Innovate UK-funded projects to advance electron beam additive manufacturing technology. The completed RAMP-UP project, worth £1.4 million, developed patented technology that reduces the need for pre-sintering of metal powder. It is now followed by the £850,000 INSPIRE project, which aims to eliminate pre-sintering entirely and enable powder recycling for greater efficiency and wider adoption of the technology in aerospace, medical and other high-value sectors.

Reliance Precision

Derbyshire nuts and bolts firm fixes customer deal for three more years

West Special Fasteners has secured a three-year extension to its frame agreement with a major international customer in the offshore oil and gas, FPSO and renewable energy sectors. The Dronfield-based manufacturer will guarantee factory capacity and meet agreed performance targets for its specialist corrosion-resistant fasteners made from high-nickel alloys, stainless steel and titanium. The contract extension coincides with recent UK government announcements supporting North Sea energy production and clean energy investment. West Special Fasteners, which employs 70 people and produces 850,000 components annually, recently received the King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation.

West Special Fasteners

Sigma Advanced Systems Secures ₹973 Crore Order for 155mm Artillery Base Bleed Units

Sigma Advanced Systems has received a major order worth approximately ₹973 crore from a NATO customer for the production and delivery of Base Bleed Units for 155mm artillery ammunition. The contract, to be executed over 12 months, expands the Indian company's role in the artillery ammunition value chain, complementing its existing capabilities in shells and fuzes. Sigma aims to leverage vertical integration and its UK subsidiary Nasmyth to strengthen supply chain control and meet growing international defence demand. The deal aligns with India's Make in India initiative and is seen as validation of the company's manufacturing expertise.

Nasmyth Group

Acres Engineering delivers first batch of products supporting RBSL’s new armoured Boxer vehicles - UK Manufacturing

Acres Engineering has delivered its first batch of specially designed, safety-critical products including an engine stand and driver's hatch trolley to support production of the Boxer armoured vehicles for the British Army by prime contractor RBSL. The Derbyshire manufacturer, which has a long-standing relationship with RBSL, is expanding its defence-related work and holds both King's Award for Enterprise and Armed Forces Gold Covenant status. The Boxer programme relies heavily on UK suppliers, with around 75% of each vehicle sourced domestically, supporting over 100 suppliers and 1,000 skilled jobs. Managing Director Luke Parker and a representative from RBSL expressed pride in the collaboration and its contribution to UK defence capabilities.

Acres Engineering

Acres Engineering supports production of Boxer armoured vehicle - Insider Media

Acres Engineering has delivered its first safety-critical products, including an engine stand and driver's hatch trolley, to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land to support increased production of the Boxer armoured vehicle for the British Army. The Derbyshire-based manufacturer, which has collaborated with RBSL for several years, is expanding its defence sector work and holds the Armed Forces Gold Covenant. Both companies highlighted the advantages of Acres being a reliable British supplier, with ongoing discussions for additional projects related to the Boxer programme.

Acres Engineering

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

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

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

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

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