The appointments recognise the contribution both Ritchie and Kernaghan have made to Technidrive over several years, as the company has expanded from a supplier of motors, gearboxes and drives into a provider of more complete mechanical, electrical and automation solutions.

Ritchie has been with Technidrive for almost 14 years, having joined the business in 2012. He began in internal sales before moving into external sales, where he developed a strong technical understanding of mechanical and electrical drive systems. He later became sales manager and joined Technidrive’s senior management team in 2021.

As sales director, Ritchie will focus on building existing customer relationships, developing new business and expanding Technidrive’s routes to market. This includes supporting growth beyond the company’s home markets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with further opportunities in Great Britain, Europe and international sales.

"Over the last number of years, we’ve seen more customers looking for complete solutions rather than individual components," said Ritchie. "They want support in bringing motors, gearboxes, controllers and automation together in a way that delivers the right performance for their application.

"To be appointed as a director after 14 years with Technidrive means a lot to me. It is recognition of the work that has gone into helping the business grow, but it also brings a new level of responsibility. I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to help shape the next stage of the company’s development."

Kernaghan joined Technidrive almost seven years ago to establish the company’s automation department. His role has since developed from technical selection and systems integration support into wider customer-facing, commercial and strategic responsibilities. He also joined the senior management team in 2021.

As automation director, Kernaghan will focus on continuing to grow Technidrive’s automation business through increased sales, expansion into new markets, development of the automation team and continued investment in technical capability.

"When I joined Technidrive, customers were increasingly asking for a higher level of technical support," said Kernaghan. "It was no longer just about setting up a variable speed drive. Customers wanted to know how it would communicate with a PLC or SCADA system, how different protocols would work together and how the wider system could be integrated.

"This appointment reflects the trust the company has placed in me and gives me an even stronger sense of responsibility for the future of the business. I don’t see it as a point where the hard work stops. If anything, this is the time to find another gear."

Technidrive’s recent growth has been driven by rising demand for industrial automation, bespoke engineering solutions and industrial drive technologies. The company is seeing particular momentum in areas such as Drum Drive solutions, dairy technology, marine winch systems and its jaw crusher unblock system, which is now gaining traction in markets including Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Indonesia.

The appointments also reflect a wider change in customer expectations. According to Technidrive, original equipment manufacturers are increasingly looking for technical partners that can help solve application challenges, integrate control and drive systems and develop proven solutions that can be taken into new markets.

"Gary and Andrew have both played an important role in Technidrive’s growth and demonstrated the leadership, expertise and customer focus needed to help guide the business forward," added John Coulter, director at Technidrive. "Their complementary experience across sales, automation, supplier relationships, product development and customer support will strengthen our senior management team considerably."

"These promotions also reflect our commitment to developing talent from within and building a strong leadership team around a shared vision. I am confident Gary and Andrew will help ensure our people feel valued, understand the direction of the business and play an active role in Technidrive’s continued success."

www.technidrive.co.uk

ACROSS EUROPE, manufacturers are struggling to recruit talent with the competencies required for modern CNC environments. According to Make UK, 36%t of vacancies in manufacturing are proving hard to fill, compared with 24% across all sectors. Across the EU, the picture is even more stark. The European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning report around 70% of advanced manufacturing firms have difficulty finding employees with the right skills, while the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Manufacturing report nearly two‑thirds of SMEs struggle to fill positions requiring technical expertise.

Europe’s CNC and machine tool sector is undergoing a profound transformation, adjusting processes to new technologies and business models to enhance competitiveness. However, such transformation cannot succeed without a skilled and adaptable workforce. Manufacturers across the EU face two simultaneous challenges: a shortage of technical skills along the production line and immediate labour shortages, meaning critical roles remain unfilled even as demand for advanced machining grows.

Demographic shifts are a key factor. A significant proportion of the European labour force is ageing, with many skilled machinists approaching retirement. According to CECIMO, the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies, across the EU, roughly 20% of the workforce is economically inactive, a pattern that shrinks the labour pool further and is mirrored in multiple member states. Meanwhile, the machine tool sector struggles to attract younger talent, highlighting a structural challenge in replenishing skilled roles.

This challenge has developed over decades, driven by underinvestment in vocational education, an ageing workforce and the rapid integration of digital technologies into machining. In Germany, for example, mechanical engineering employers report shortages of skilled vocational workers, emphasising that even countries with strong education systems face pressures from demographics and sector attractiveness. Today’s CNC professional is expected to combine mechanical understanding with software literacy, data awareness and process optimisation skills, a blend that older training models were never designed to deliver.

The consequences are already visible. Vacancies remain open for months, production schedules are stretched and businesses are forced to rely on overtime or contract labour to maintain output. The impact ripples through supply chains in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and precision engineering.

The adoption of advanced technological solutions is a necessary step for business sustainability and growth. However, their actual utilisation depends on the workforce.

Automation is continuing to spread across European industry rapidly. According to the World Robotics 2025 Report by the International Federation of Robotics, in 2024 around 85,000 industrial robots were installed in Europe. This makes it the second largest region globally for robot deployment in factories, though adoption varies by sector. While automation helps relieve some labour pressures, it cannot fully substitute for skilled operators, programmers and CNC machinists, who remain essential for high-precision tasks.

Why the skills gap matters for European industry

The CNC skills gap is a structural issue with strategic implications. As experienced machinists retire, Europe risks losing decades of tacit knowledge that underpins high-precision manufacturing. Without action, this threatens productivity, delivery performance and the continent’s ability to compete globally. CECIMO surveys indicate that CNC operators and machinists are among the most difficult roles to fill.

At the same time, innovation depends on people. Smart manufacturing, from connected CNC machines to predictive maintenance and data-driven optimisation, only delivers value when employees are equipped to work confidently across both physical and digital systems. The skills gap therefore limits not just capacity but progress.

Automation as a partner to people

Automation and robotics are increasingly central to how manufacturers respond. When deployed thoughtfully, they do not displace workers but extend what manufacturing teams can achieve. By taking on repetitive, ergonomically challenging or highly consistent tasks, automation allows skilled staff to focus on higher-value activities such as programming, quality control, process improvement and continuous optimisation.

Industry feedback reflects this reality. Many workers see automation as a means of strengthening job security and career longevity, particularly in environments where labour shortages place unsustainable pressure on individuals. Rather than removing roles, automation reshapes them into positions that are safer, more skilled and future-facing.

In CNC machine shops where recruitment is most challenging, flexible robotic cells can maintain operational continuity. A single team can supervise multiple machines, supported by robots that handle loading, unloading or secondary operations. With intuitive programming tools and simulation software, these systems are increasingly accessible to SMEs as well as larger manufacturers.

By working closely with customers, Tezmaksan develops solutions such as its CubeBOX system that reflect real operational needs. These automation cells allow human judgement and robotic consistency to operate side by side, extending capacity while preserving expertise.

Just as importantly, Tezmaksan places skills development at the centre of its approach. Through partnerships and training initiatives across Europe, the company supports the upskilling of CNC professionals so they are prepared to work confidently alongside advanced automation. These are not replacement roles but enhanced ones, offering clearer career paths and greater long-term value.

A forward-looking perspective

Europe’s CNC skills challenge is real, but it is also an opportunity. By aligning automation with targeted training and a human-centred mindset, manufacturers can build resilient operations that are less vulnerable to labour shortages and more capable of sustained innovation.

The future of European manufacturing will not be defined by humans versus machines. It will be shaped by how effectively they work together. Companies that embrace automation as a tool for empowerment, redeployment and skills growth will be best positioned to protect productivity and maintain Europe’s legacy of precision engineering.

Hakan Aydogdu is CEO of Tezmaksan

For more information:

www.tezmaksan.com

Tel: 0 (212) 674 60 10

Ilias Avgerinos recently joined Bridgnorth Aluminium (BAL)’s senior leadership team and is already looking to build on a transformational two years that has seen the business return to 24/7 production and capitalise on new investments in the cast house and finishing lines.

The experienced industrialist, who has served in several senior roles at parent company Viohalco Group, believes there are significant opportunities for growth in North America and in new markets, such as electrification, energy and defence, where the firm’s flexibility and technical expertise can add value.

He also feels the domestic market offers untapped potential, with aluminium now classed as a critical material and UK firms showing a desire to shorten supply chains and claim greater control of production.

"This is a very exciting time to be joining Bridgnorth Aluminium, a company I know well after sitting on the board since 2024," explained Avgerinos, who holds a degree in chemical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. "We are the UK’s only coil aluminium rolling mill and play a critical role in sectors ranging from printing, building and construction, packaging and, increasingly, energy storage. Recent investment has increased our capacity and the ability to explore new markets, and this has seen us grow sales and return to round the clock production in Bridgnorth.

"My role will be to build on the progress we have made since 2024. I have strong commercial and technical knowledge and a track record of introducing new projects at my previous roles at Elvalhalcor and SYMETAL," he continued. "The Viohalco Group is hugely committed to the success of BAL, and we are currently discussing future investments that will strengthen our capability to attract new orders to the UK."

Avgerinos replaces Gerhard Trilling as general manager at Bridgnorth Aluminium, following one of the most challenging periods in the firm’s history. Strategic investments and major process upgrades have brought BAL back to full operational performance within two years and driven an order book that now tops £300m.

"A big part of my focus will be on the 360 people that work at our site on Stourbridge Road. They are the heartbeat of what we do and, if we are going to achieve our expansion plans, we need to retain and develop our committed workforce and attract more talent through our evolving apprenticeship and recruitment programmes," said Avgerinos. "Our leadership team is doing an excellent job and I’m keen to support them by encouraging greater collaboration across different departments, stronger communication within the company and developing more opportunities for professional growth."

Avgerinos will be joined in the senior leadership team by another high-profile hire, with Nikolina Austin recently announced as head of HR at Bridgnorth Aluminium.

The experienced human resource specialist arrives after spending more than a decade at online retailer Amazon and will be responsible for introducing new ‘people-centric’ measures across the business and supporting ongoing recruitment drives.

"Bridgnorth Aluminium has a special place in the heart of this town, with many generations of families proud to work here," she affirmed. "I want us to nurture this unique culture and make it central to our business going forward, supporting people to progress within the company and using it to attract the best talent here. It’s an exciting time to be involved in aluminium in the UK."

www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

Developed to deliver both enhanced power performance and environmental durability, the HR Series introduces a new battery category for engineers designing equipment that must operate reliably in demanding conditions. 

Ultralife developed the HR Series in response to a customer request for a battery that could support their innovative new tool design, delivering higher power capability while maintaining the durability needed in demanding operating environments. Existing cell designs were unable to fully meet these requirements, prompting the development of a new hybrid construction that combines the benefits of these two proven battery technologies.

Traditionally, engineers have needed to choose between the ruggedness of moderate-rate cells and the power and pulse capability of high-rate cells. This made selecting batteries difficult in applications where both advanced performance and extreme durability are critical.

The HR Series addresses these challenges by combining the ruggedness of moderate-rate cell construction with the enhanced performance of a high-rate cell design. The cells deliver higher power and pulsing performance than conventional moderate-rate cells while maintaining the resistance to shock, vibration and other demanding environmental conditions required in many industrial applications.

"The challenge for engineers has often been balancing power requirements with environmental durability," explained Keith Anderson, senior manager, marketing and customer operations at Ultralife Corporation. "We developed the HR series to reduce the compromises by combining the strengths of our moderate-rate and high-rate cell designs. Now, we have a hybrid solution that can meet demanding power requirements while offering exceptional ruggedness and reliability."

The HR Series is particularly well-suited to applications such as measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tools, pipeline inspection systems and other sensor-intensive devices operating in harsh environments. By expanding the options available to engineers, the technology provides greater flexibility when designing systems that require both high performance and long-term reliability.

Additional benefits include optimised capacity, a low magnetic signature and the potential to reduce the number of cells required within a battery pack. This can enable more compact battery designs, create space for additional sensors and electronics and improve overall system efficiency.

ultralifecorporation.com

As well as navigating obsolescence, the upgrade will provide additional control functionality, improved motor performance and long-term technical support. Awarded in May 2026, the project is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027.

EES will design, supply and perform the factory acceptance test (FAT) and site acceptance test (SAT) for a replacement excitation control panel and electrical protection relay panel. Both new panels will be retrofitted into the same space as the existing equipment.

The replacement system will provide regulated closed-loop excitation control and include EES’ proprietary automatic power factor correction software. This will help ensure the motor is dispatched optimally to meet the site’s local reactive power demands.

The existing system requires operators to adjust excitation manually, which is not feasible in modern power control systems. The replacement will also provide the gases producer with a technical partner able to support the equipment beyond project delivery.

"The customer has previously struggled with OEM support and needed to know it could depend on its excitation supplier," said Ryan Kavanagh, director at EES.

"Replacing obsolete controls is not just a panel swap. The new system must work safely with existing interfaces and meet the site’s operational requirements. We’ll run in-person design workshops to provide reassurance around the replacement equipment and minimise risk at the interfaces with the existing plant." he continued.

"This is an important milestone for EES as this is our first design contract secured directly with a mainland European customer.” said Tim Burchell, head of operations and projects at EES. “It builds on successful design and commissioning work we have delivered for the same customer in the Netherlands and England."

excitationengineering.co.uk

Based in the UK, Annunziata joins Alva’s Commercial team and will lead the company’s Product Management and Applications Engineering activities. His role will focus on strengthening Alva’s product strategy and ensuring close alignment between product development, application requirements, and customer needs.

Annunziata brings extensive experience across product management, applications, and engineering within industrial motion and automation. His combination of technical and commercial experience will support Alva as the company continues to develop its motor portfolio and strengthen the support it provides to customers across demanding applications.

In his new role, he will work across Alva’s commercial and technical teams, helping translate market and application requirements into product priorities while supporting customers in identifying the right motor solutions for their applications.

"What attracted me to Alva is the combination of groundbreaking technology and a team with the ambition to redefine what electric motors can achieve," said Annunziata. "FiberPrinting is setting a new benchmark for lightweight, high-precision motion systems, and I’m excited to work alongside this talented team to shape a compelling product portfolio, unlock new applications, and accelerate Alva's path to market leadership."

The appointment further strengthens Alva’s commercial organisation and its ability to connect customer and market requirements with product development.

www.alvaindustries.com

Apprentices (existing and qualified), now make up 20% of its entire workforce, as they are so able and respected, they now run the entire manufacturing operation each Friday.

The family run firm, which turns over more than £20m per annum, is about to be thrust into the national spotlight, having been chosen to be at the centre of the UK’s inaugural Vocational Celebration Day. Taking place a week before A Level results are announced, Vocational Celebration Day takes the form of a live YouTube stream, hosted by TV presenter, author, former apprentice and skills campaigner Steph McGovern.

The new initiative, powered by the former Sector Skills Council, Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, is designed to shine a spotlight on the important contributions of vocational training and skilled trades to the nation's prosperity. Set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, the day honours those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

"Apprentices, both current and qualified, now make up 20% of our production workforce and play an essential role in the future of the business. They provide energy, vigour, new ideas and an ongoing engagement with the local community right on our doorstep," said MD Tom Teagle.

"Our established apprenticeship programme helps us develop the practical skills, engineering knowledge and experience needed to support the company’s sustainable long-term success. We set high standards from the outset, giving our apprentices the skills, confidence and experience needed to take responsibility for machine shop production every Friday.

"As a mainstay for skills provision in our advanced manufacturing operation, our programme is central to shaping the future of our business."

www.enginuity.org 

The appointment formally recognises Dalton's leadership of the Wolverhampton-based software developer and comes as the business builds on the successful launch of its new jobsafe mobile safety reporting app while preparing to introduce further cloud-based products, including jobwin.

She brings extensive senior management experience gained from leading businesses at executive level, including within a subsidiary of a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Her background in business transformation, operational management and technology strategy has helped shape jobmate's vision of delivering powerful, affordable cloud software that enables organisations to digitise operations without the cost and complexity traditionally associated with enterprise systems.

As CEO, Dalton will lead the company's strategic direction, product roadmap and continued investment in artificial intelligence to help customers improve efficiency, compliance and decision-making through smarter automation.

"Our ambition has always been to make enterprise-class operational software accessible to businesses of all sizes," she stated. "Cloud technology has transformed what is possible, and AI is creating another major shift in how organisations manage their operations. We are investing heavily in intelligent features that will help customers automate routine tasks, gain better business insights and make faster, more informed decisions.

"The launch of jobsafe is just the beginning. We have an exciting product roadmap, including the forthcoming launch of jobwin, and we're looking beyond the UK to international markets, particularly the United States, where we believe there is significant demand for simple, powerful cloud solutions."

Founded in 2018, jobmate develops cloud-native business software for organisations operating in sectors including transport, logistics, construction, engineering, manufacturing and field service. Its software is designed to simplify business processes, improve productivity and reduce operating costs by replacing traditional server-based systems with flexible, scalable cloud applications.

The recent introduction of jobsafe extends the company's portfolio by enabling incidents, hazards and near misses to be reported instantly from a smartphone, providing managers with accurate, time and location-stamped information to improve safety, compliance and operational performance.

Future product development will continue to focus on integrating AI across the jobmate platform, enabling customers to streamline workflows, automate manual processes and gain greater value from their operational data as the business continues its expansion into new markets.

jobmate.cloud

Mammoet was approached by Maersk Project Logistics to support with the inland transportation of a very large and heavy transformer from Hitachi Energy’s factory in Ludvika, Sweden.

Typically, these components are transported by rail; however, this new larger capacity transformer was too heavy, and so an alternative solution had to be found.

Collaborating with Maersk Project Logistics and Hitachi Energy, Mammoet suggested using its high-capacity girder frame trailer, the AL600, to get the transformer from factory to port. 

The frame spread the load over a greater distance, safeguarding road surfaces, and reduced the overall height of the transport to minimise disruption and civil work to prepare the route.

Close collaboration from the start

Because the large transformer exceeded the weight limit for rail transport in Sweden - road was the only viable option. Engineers at Mammoet proposed a solution that involved a configuration of conventional trailers combined with its high-capacity girder frame trailer, the AL600.

The AL600 allows extremely heavy cargoes to be transported inches off the ground, making it perfect for overcoming overhead obstructions, such as low bridges and power lines.

It was more than powerful enough to perform the job but needed to be slightly modified to meet the stringent lashing requirements of Hitachi Energy. This resulted in the design and fabrication of a specialist adapter for the frame.

Engineers from both sides came together, with Mammoet designing the adapter and Hitachi adjusting the design of the transformer so that it would interface smoothly.

Maersk Project Logistics managed all the requirements with respect to overall project management ocean transport routing and road preparation, with Mammoet assisting by providing supporting data for the required permits.

At one stage, Mammoet engineers assessed a section of the route near oak trees. A scan of the area was taken, and, from this, they assessed what adjustments needed to be made to avoid their removal.

100 meters over 130 kilometers 

As space inside the facility was limited, the girder frame was driven into the loading area on 2 x 14 lines of Mammoet Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs), as these offered greater maneuverability.

The transformer was then lifted into the frame using a 500t crane. Once the cargo was outside, the SPMTs were swapped for 2 x 19 lines of conventional trailers.

These conventional trailers were pulled by two prime movers and a hydraulic drive system, which gave extra power to the front six trailer axles, preventing the need for more trucks.

The convoy stretched nearly 100 meters in length and weighed more than 800 tonnes. Over two nights, it made the 130km journey from Ludvika to Koping Port.

One of the biggest challenges on the route was at the very start. Near the Hitachi factory are two railway lines with no road crossing. To pass the tracks, a temporary passage had to be created to connect the two roads at either side. 

“This was also one of the biggest challenges when it came to the schedule,” explains William Soeters, project manager at Mammoet.“We had a time window of just three hours to get everything prepared, for the convoy to pass the tracks, and then remove all the materials to allow access for the trains. Had this been missed, it would have caused significant disruption.”

When the convoy arrived at Koping Port, the AL600 was partly dismantled and several of the conventional trailers were decoupled.

The remaining trailers then loaded the transformer onto the vessel, via a RoRo operation, and remained onboard for a one-day sailing to the larger Swedish port of Norrköping.

At Norrköping Port, the transformer was offloaded and driven to a laydown area until it was collected by a heavy-lift vessel bound for China.

For this second load-out operation, the transformer was picked up and driven to the quayside, allowing the heavy-lift vessel to lift it on board using its crane. 

This project demonstrates how Mammoet’s engineers can problem solve and create solutions to achieve feats that weren’t previously possible.

www.mammoet.com

By bringing drives, motors, gearboxes, control equipment and PLCs together under one manufacturer, Technidrive can deliver complete, end-to-end systems that reduce integration complexity while improving visibility, connectivity and support.

The move is particularly valuable for applications where equipment performance must be monitored continuously, but reliable internet access cannot be guaranteed. This includes remote or mobile assets such as marine systems, where data must be captured locally and synchronised later so operators can retain a complete record of asset condition.

As a WEG Premier Partner, Technidrive already supplies the Brazilian manufacturer’s motors, variable speed drives (VSDs), gearboxes and control equipment. By adding WEG PLCs, the company can deliver fully integrated automation systems on a single control architecture, improving communication, reducing complexity and streamlining commissioning and support.

This approach has already been applied in a marine data acquisition project, where the customer needed a reliable way to monitor onboard assets despite inconsistent connectivity at sea. Technidrive deployed the PLC500 to track temperature, humidity and pressure across large vessels, storing data locally and syncing it when a connection is available. This allows the customer to retain a full record of asset conditions, so engineers can later identify environmental issues, check for pressure drops, spot early signs of deterioration and plan maintenance before faults cause failure or downtime.

"The ability to bring everything together under one manufacturer is a major advantage," explained David Strain, technical director at Technidrive. "Knowing the PLC has been tested alongside the drives, motors and control gear gives us confidence in system performance and reliability, while also helping to ensure smooth integration, faster installation and simpler support for our customers."

A key benefit of the PLC500 in this application is its remote connectivity. For vessels operating across different regions, internet access can be inconsistent or restricted. By storing information locally and uploading it once a connection becomes available, the PLC500 enables operators to maintain a reliable record of system performance over time.

Technidrive also highlighted the PLC500’s programming environment and human-machine interface (HMI) as important factors in its adoption. Built on the widely recognised CODESYS platform, the PLC supports multiple programming languages, including structured text, ladder logic, function block, sequential function chart and continuous function chart. This gives engineers the flexibility to work with familiar tools and adapt the system to different applications.

"The software and ease of development were major drivers for us," added Strain. "Our engineers can program in multiple languages, and the system is very intuitive to use. Combined with strong connectivity and remote access, it gives us a flexible platform for a wide range of applications."

With support for multiple communication protocols and networking options, the PLC500 can integrate with a wide array of devices and systems, making it suitable for industries ranging from marine and materials handling to quarrying, recycling, food processing and general manufacturing.

As part of WEG’s wider PLC portfolio, which includes models such as the PLC410 for medium-sized applications, the compact PLC20X for smaller systems and the PLC300 designed for operator interface and machine-level control, the PLC500 sits within a scalable ecosystem tailored to applications of varying size and complexity.

"PLCs are inherently flexible, so the opportunities are wide open," said Strain. "The experience has been very positive, and WEG’s PLCs give us a strong platform for future automation projects."

www.technidrive.co.uk