GKN Aerospace is leading a new UK industry consortium called ASCEND (Aerospace and Automotive Supply Chain Enabled Development) to develop and accelerate composite material and process technologies for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft and future mobility. The £40m consortium, funded by a £20.0M commitment from industry and a £19.6M commitment from the UK Government via ATI, will focus on greater adoption of composite technologies today, the industrialization of new technologies, as well as accelerating aerospace production rates to meet future high-volume requirements. The collaboration will help develop technologies from across the UK supply-chain to develop the advanced materials and automation equipment required to manufacture lightweight structures for the sustainable air mobility, aerospace and automotive industry. Assyst Bullmer, Airborne, Cobham Mission Systems Wimborne, Cygnet Texkimp, Des Composites, FAR-UK Ltd, Hexcel Composites, Hive Composites, LMAT, Loop Technology, McLaren Automotive, the National Composites Centre, Rafinex, Sigmatex (UK) and Solvay Composite Materials will join GKN Aerospace in the consortium with collaboration and investment support from Axillium Research. Through a 3-year commitment, the partnership, backed by the UK government, will bring together expertise, capabilities and resources from across the wider UK aerospace and automotive supply chain. In doing so, ASCEND will strengthen the UK’s position as a technology leader in future lightweight structures and help to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the aerospace and automotive industry.

Cookson Industrial manufactures high-purity precious metal powders in-house, offering full vertical integration from alloy melting to certification. Using gas and ultrasonic atomisation, we deliver spherical, clean powders with outstanding purity, flowability, and consistency. Available in gold, silver, platinum, and alloys, our powders serve industries from aerospace and semiconductors to medical, dental, catalysis, and luxury goods—with custom PSDs and batch sizes tailored to your needs.

IC welded, assembled and overmoulded. Parts are automatically checked for function, dimensional accuracy and colour.

Integrated safety systems designed to manage pedestrian and vehicle interaction in busy industrial environments. Using projection, detection, and real-time alerts, these solutions help enforce safe movement without relying solely on human behaviour. Ideal for warehouses, manufacturing sites, and logistics operations looking to reduce collision risks and improve site flow.

Instron Automated Testing Systems enable a new dimension of testing productivity. These systems were designed as a solution to these common testing challenges including safety, throughput, repetitive tasks/better use of skilled operators, and variability of results. Available as either a complete turnkey solution or fitted to existing Instron testing instruments, both options are tailored to your testing operations and throughput requirements. The unique modular design of the automated testing systems provide the broad control and handling capability needed to fulfill a wide range of applications. Standardized systems are available for the following application areas: rubber tensile and tear, plastics tensile and flex, thin films tensile, metals tensile, and component testing.

The Automation Kit can turn the HandySCAN 3D and MetraSCAN 3D portable 3D scanner families into fully-fledged solutions for automated quality control (AQC) applications. Outfitted with a collaborative robot (cobot) and all related equipment, the actual workstation allows the operator to use the 3D scanners in portable mode as well as in automated mode. A safe solution that is easy to both install and deploy. A true model of interconnectedness, the solution interfaces seamlessly with the VXscan-R digital twin environment and thus becomes an all-in-one, user-friendly system for anyone to use, even workers who are unaccustomed or unfamiliar with the technology. With features such as a smaller footprint, light and compact design, and an affordable total cost of ownership, the Hybrid Solution is part of a noble effort to democratise access to automated solutions and automation as a whole.

Automation, Robotics & AI Powered by Make UK Dedicated to exploring how smart technologies improve real-world production Expect real case studies, live demonstrations, and testing examples that have been integrated into existing production environments to deliver positive, measurable results in reliability performance, quality, production rates, and costs.

Mipa Automotive Refinishing is your trusted partner for high-quality car paint and refinishing solutions in the UK. We offer a comprehensive range of Mipa automotive refinishing products, including primers, fillers, basecoats, clearcoats, and specialist coatings, engineered to deliver professional results for car Bodyshops, refinishers, and automotive repair specialists. Our portfolio covers everything from advanced waterborne and solvent-based systems to innovative 1K and 2K products, ensuring you have the right solution for every substrate and repair requirement. With decades of industry expertise, Mipa is renowned for its commitment to quality, durability, and colour accuracy. Our refinishing systems are designed for easy application, fast drying, and seamless blending, helping you achieve flawless finishes and efficient workflows. Whether you need OEM colour matching, corrosion protection, or high-gloss clearcoats, our products are trusted by professionals worldwide for their reliability and performance. At Mipa Paints UK, we support our customers with technical advice, trade pricing, and fast delivery, ensuring you have access to the latest refinishing technology and expert support. Elevate your automotive repairs and resprays with Mipa’s industry-leading refinishing solutions, engineered for excellence, every time.

Powered by SMMT Headline Media Manufacturing Engineering Magazine Learn how electrification and new mobility concepts are changing design and manufacturing. Through talks from leading OEMs and Tier suppliers, the forum highlights real‑world projects, production challenges and lessons learned in scaling new technologies, helping you understand where the industry is heading and what it means for manufacturing processes and future skills.

Our hybrid additive manufacturing process affords engineers valuable design freedom, with the ability to scale the production of complex geometry components. This directly addresses the limitations of metal additive manufacturing.

Mipa Paints Limited specialises in high-performance aviation coatings designed specifically for helicopters, rotary aircraft, and small fixed-wing planes. Our advanced paint systems are engineered to withstand the toughest conditions faced by aviation assets, extreme UV exposure, rapid temperature changes, pressure differences, aerodynamic forces, and aggressive cleaning agents. With Mipa, you can trust your aircraft to stay protected and looking its best, flight after flight. Our aviation coatings deliver exceptional UV resistance, colour stability, and long-lasting gloss, ensuring your aircraft maintains its appearance and structural integrity over time. Mipa’s innovative formulations provide outstanding scratch resistance, dirt protection, and chemical durability, helping to reduce maintenance and extend service intervals. Thanks to high-opacity topcoats, only thin layers are needed, keeping aircraft weight to a minimum and supporting both sustainability and operational efficiency. We offer a wide selection of brilliant colours and effect finishes, including radar-compatible options that do not interfere with technical instruments, ideal for customising helicopters and small aircraft without compromising safety or performance. Our range also includes primers and specialist coatings tailored for composite materials, ensuring optimal adhesion and protection for GRP, CFRP, and FRP components.