INDUSTRY NEWS NATIONAL MANUFACTURING SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE IN FEBRUARY


On 26 February, the UK’s manufacturing leaders will gather for a flagship event designed to shape the future of British industry. Taking place at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Coventry, the National Manufacturing Summit 2026 will be under the theme ‘Powering Progress: Strategy for Great British Manufacturing’. The day begins with a Welcome and Opening


Address, setting the tone for discussions on sustainability, technology adoption, and industrial strategy. Attendees will then hear ‘A State of the Manufacturing Nation’, a keynote offering a data-driven view of the sector’s current strengths and challenges. Interactive elements will play a key role, including live polling sessions that give manufacturers a voice in shaping future policy. These insights will feed into panels such as ‘From Policy to Production’, where experts bridge the gap between government frameworks and real-world operations. The summit’s speaker line-up features some of the most influential voices in the industry.


Dr Graham Hoare, CEO of the MTC, will deliver the welcome address, followed shortly by David Bailey, Professor of Business Economics, University of Birmingham, who will paint a picture of the current landscape by delivering our State of a Manufacturing Nation keynote, while Dr Nandini Chakravorti, director of Digital Engineering at MTC, hosts the ‘Driving the Future’ panel on emerging technologies and workforce development. Industry leaders such as Adam Vicary,


chief executive of Castings PLC, will share perspectives on innovation and supply chain resilience. SME success stories will also take centre stage, including Mike Hauge Morgan, CEO of Autocraft Solutions, who will reveal how bold leadership and technology adoption transformed his business. Breakout sessions will provide practical insights on topics ranging from AI and automation to sustainability strategies, making defence accessible to drive Innovation,


BCOMPAND BMW GROUP WIN PRESTIGIOUS COMPOSITE MATERIALS AWARD


Bcomp and BMW Group’s joint collaboration ‘BMW M NATURAL FIBRE COMPOSITES’ has won first prize in the category ‘Automotive & Road Transportation – Parts’ at the 2026 JEC Composites Innovation Awards. BMW M Motorsport first introduced renewable reinforcements in 2019 through its Formula E


programme, using Bcomp’s ampliTex and powerRibs. Building on these racetrack learnings, the company’s have researched, validated and industrialised natural fibre composites for series production. Bcomp’s technologies make it possible to replace parts traditionally made with carbon


fibre. One example is exchanging carbon fibre composites for Bcomp’s high-performance natural fibre composites in the roof of the next-generation BMW series production cars. This leads


to a CO2e reduction of around 40% in production plus additional end-of-life considerations. To make natural fibre composites viable for automotive parts, Bcomp engineered automotive-


grade, high-performance natural fibre roving in-house, designed specifically to replace carbon fibre in large-scale exterior and interior automotive applications. Working with BMW Group’s design team, Bcomp created a bespoke colour and weave pattern to create a distinctive natural fibre identity aligned with BMW Group’s brand aesthetic. Christian Fischer, CEO and co-founder at Bcomp, said: “After years of rigorous validation, ampliTex


natural fibre composites are now integrated into BMW’s series manufacturing lines for both exterior and interior applications. This milestone marks the largest real-world application of high-performance renewable composites in the automotive industry. It demonstrates that natural fibre composites are ready for large-scale premium automotive applications.”


www.bcomp.com/ COHERIX OPENS ADHESIVE VISION CENTRE


Coherix is opening a new training and product-development facility in Sinsheim, Germany. The Coherix Vision Center is designed to support adhesive-dispensing


programs at major electronics and automotive assembly plants throughout Europe. The facility is equipped with robotic and


adhesive-dispensing systems from Kuka, Fanuc, Intec, Durr, Vieweg and Viscotec. Coherix 3D laser-based inspection systems use machine learning, artificial intelligence and process control software to manage the application of adhesives at assembly line speeds. According to the company, it has the only


technology in the world capable of automatically adjusting the application of adhesives on fast-moving production lines to eliminate potential errors.


https://coherix.com/ 6 DESIGN SOLUTIONS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2026


Power Jacks has announced a partnership with Vydraulics Group of Belgium. Under the partnership, the company will supply electric actuation technology and expertise to facilitate further European growth, particularly in defence, offshore, marine and other industrial applications. The increased customer demand for electro- mechanical linear actuation solutions is being felt across most industry sectors. Both Power Jacks and Vydraulics want to meet and exceed customer expectations for motion solutions and significantly grow their businesses throughout Europe. By working in partnership, these ambitions can be realised faster with extended motion solutions and engineering knowledge, combined with an extensive sales and support network. The key areas for partnership will be in the supply of customised and bespoke linear motion solutions. In addition, Vydraulics will also represent Power Jacks for standard products in the Benelux region. “This is an exciting development that will enable


more customers to gain the advantage of Power Jacks electric linear motion products and expertise,” said Alex Crossland, managing director. “Customers can now tap into the benefits of both companies for the vast experience and knowledge of both Electric and Hydraulic motion solutions.”


www.powerjacks.com www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk


and skills development. The exhibition zone will feature partners such as Made Smarter West Midlands, Epicor and Innovate UK, with experts offering guidance on funding, technology, and workforce development. Registration is free but spaces are limited.


Secure your place today via the website. www.nmsummit.co.uk


POWER JACKS &


VYDRAULICS ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP


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