A ripple effect of digital transformation is sweeping through a rural industrial estate where five manufacturers are modernising operations with support from Made Smarter.

A recent automation project employing Contrinex inductive sensors has successfully streamlined the tool-changing process for hydraulic presses involved in the moulding of automobile body parts. This application highlights how the strategic implementation of a single, robust sensor can yield significant improvements in operational efficiency and prevent costly damage to machinery.

Midland Bearings, one of the UK's leading importers and wholesalers of bearings, is proud to announce the renewal of its sole distributorship agreement with FK Bearings for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Electrification is gathering pace, moving from a mobility-focused trend into a catalyst for broader engineering and manufacturing change. As manufacturers, systems integrators and designers look beyond combustion and hydraulic technologies, this brings fresh demands on supply chains, productivity and design principles. Here, Simon Farnfield, event director at Advanced Engineering, explores the impact of electrification and the challenges facing the engineering community as we make the transition.

Mechanical engineering specialist, Seratech Engineering and Prototyping is maintaining its production standards and enhancing process efficiencies with its new partnership with Essentra Components, a leading provider of essential industrial components.

RARUK Automation has announced an exclusive partnership with GRIP. Based in Germany, GRIP is a specialist in intelligent tool changing systems for collaborative robots. This agreement will bring GRIP's innovative solutions to UK manufacturers, enabling users to enhance the flexibility, safety and efficiency of their collaborative robot cells.

Schneider Electric has announced the signing of a long-term framework agreement with E.ON, one of Europe's largest energy companies. This strategic partnership marks a significant step forward in the deployment of sustainable and digital-ready energy infrastructure across Europe. Schneider Electric will support E.ON's ambitious goals with its latest SF6-free medium-voltage (MV) switchgear and a suite of digital technologies.

The team behind the PPMA Total Show 2025 have confirmed the manufacturers secured for the event to date and offered a preview of the some of the innovative technology visitors can expect to see in action.

Vacuum technology is a key element for quality and efficiency in plastics processing - for example in thermoforming and recycling, the extrusion of films and the degassing and coating of plastics. From October 8 to 15, 2025, Edwards Vacuum will be presenting its vacuum solutions at the K trade fair.