DS-MAY26-PG06+07_Layout 1 19/05/2026 12:10 Page 7


INDUSTRY NEWS


GOVERNMENT’S STEEL POLICY HAVING ‘DEVASTATING IMPACT’ ON THE DOWNSTREAM MANUFACTURING SECTOR


According to the President of the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM), the full force of the government’s steel policy is beginning to have a devastating impact on the downstream manufacturing sector. Stephen Morley believes misguided quota


reductions, compounded by the inevitable imposition of tariffs, have left metal stockists and manufacturers facing increasing commercial pressures, tighter margins and the prospect of job cuts across the supply chain. Evidence submitted to Ministers by the CBM


shows UK suppliers are unable to meet demand due to minimum batch quantities far exceeding actual needs and uncertain delivery timelines. “Frustratingly, costs remain undefined and


potentially uncompetitive, leaving businesses unable to plan or price contracts with any confidence,” explained Morley, who has been in the automotive sector for four decades. “In one case, a UK supplier was told it would


have to take a minimum production run of 120 tonnes, when they required just 30 tonnes, forcing a business to potentially hold £80,000 of surplus stock with no guarantee of future demand.” He added: “At the same time, the supplier


could not confirm delivery timelines due to ongoing uncertainty around its own ownership and production schedule. This is not an


scaling back UK production and importing finished goods, increasing prices while reducing the workforce, or winding down production.” Industry discussions are now highlighting an


isolated issue with this supplier, it is symptomatic of a wider policy failure now playing out across the sector. “UK manufacturers are being constrained on


importing essential raw materials due to quota cuts of up to 98%, while simultaneously being punished with tariffs of 50% when the quota is exhausted. There is also increasing evidence that some materials are not available domestically. “At the same time, finished goods can be


imported without equivalent barriers. The result is a deeply unbalanced system where it is easier to import a finished product than to manufacture one in the UK.” Richard Jewitt, managing director of Footprint


Sheffield, one of the UK’s last remaining hand tool forges, has warned that current policy is pushing viable manufacturers toward impossible choices. He said: “We are now actively reviewing our options, which include


WEALD ELECTRONICS PROUD TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING IN THE UK


Weald Electronics, the UK manufacturer of electrical connectors and accessories for defence and demanding industrial applications, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The company is part of the privately- owned Lodge Group which includes the connector distributor FC Lane Electronics and its Autosport Division, Lane Motorsport. Following the acquisition of the


tooling, stock and manufacturing rights of the MK.4 range from Plessey Connectors, Weald Electronics was incorporated in 1976 as a family-related company to F.C. Lane Electronics. It was set up to operate as a production unit for the manufacture of connectors and provide a source for popular connectors facing obsolescence, such as the MK.4., re-named the Weald LMF series. Today, the company has design, manufacturing and test facilities at its HQ in Sussex and


can tailor a connector solution to exactly meet a customer’s specific requirement on short lead times, as well as bespoke value-added electrical and optical connector termination of connector product distributed by sister company Lane Electronics. Simon Hammerton, managing director of Lane Electronics, commented: “We are very pleased


and proud to be celebrating 50 years of manufacturing in the UK. Weald Electronics not only offer a flexible UK source of high reliability connectors and accessories but can also assist customers with custom designs and to overcome the problems of obsolescence and short supply of components. Over the 50 years many aspects of our business have changed but we believe our evolving product ranges have all reliably stood the test of time because of their design integrity in every component part and the resultant dependable performance and reliability they offer. We look forward to another 50 years!”


www.wealdelectronics.com www.pcvue.com www.designsolutionsmag.co.uk MAY 2026 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 7


increasing reliance on derivative imports and there are also clear early signs of offshoring, with major manufacturers increasing procurement from overseas suppliers. Once this manufacturing capability leaves the UK, it is unlikely to return. “The government’s approach risks undermining


the very industrial base it seeks to protect,” commented Morley, adding: “Downstream sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and steel service centres, employ significantly more people than primary steel production, yet they are bearing the brunt of these measures. “The CBM, alongside other industry bodies,


is now calling for urgent intervention. We need an urgent full review of quota reductions and tariff structures, exemptions for materials not produced in the UK, and a more balanced approach that aligns upstream protection with downstream viability. There is also a need for greater transparency and accountability in supply commitments from domestic producers, particularly where government involvement remains.”


https://thecbm.co.uk/ PcVue ACHIEVES


IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 CERTIFICATION


ARC Informatique’s PcVue platform has


successfully achieved IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 certification, placing it among a select group of solutions that meet the cybersecurity requirements for critical infrastructure. Already certified under ISO 9001, ISO 14001


and ISO 27001, ARC Informatique continues to strengthen its governance model by integrating cybersecurity at every level. While IEC 62443-4-1 focuses on


secure development practices, IEC 62443-4-2 ensures that the components of the PcVue platform meet strict security requirements, addressing risks directly at the product level For PcVue users


and partners, this certification provides greater confidence by delivering a platform that is not only high performing, but also secure, trusted and resilient against evolving cyber threats.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52