Unlike traditional industrial AI that monitors equipment or predicts failures, the third layer of IntelliAM’s Industrial Intelligence Platform, Enigma, utilises agentic artificial intelligence to understand production-line performance in context. 

"Britain's future productivity gains will come less from building new factories and more from improving the performance of the assets we already have," said Tom Clayton, CEO of IntelliAM AI. "Manufacturers do not have a data problem; they have a decision problem. The opportunity now is to use agentic AI to turn trusted industrial data into better operational performance."

The tech platform, a complete AI ecoystem, also directly addresses severe labour shortages. With vacancy rates in food and drink manufacturing remaining well above the wider sector average, the platform optimises existing human resources rather than trying to replace them.

IntelliAM already partners with half of the world’s top 12 food and drink manufacturers and Enigma was developed using over a decade of domain expertise alongside live deployment trials with leading brands like Müller, Hovis, and SKF.

At today’s London Stock Exchange launch, executives from Müller will speak about the tangible operational uplifts from their live trials. Across customer deployments, IntelliAM's technology has already delivered massive reliability gains, including a 215% improvement in the mean-time between failures at a single Müller site over a 12-month period.

IntelliAM’s comprehensive Industrial Intelligence Platform processes more than 16 billion industrial data points annually. Built on real factory-floor data rather than generic AI models, the complete ecosystem now seamlessly links three core capabilities:

• IntelliAM 53: Generates trusted, clean industrial data.

• Decipher: Provides deep operational understanding.

• Enigma: Deploys agentic AI to initiate intelligent operational action.

"Agentic AI represents the next stage in industrial transformation," Clayton continued. "With the Industrial Intelligence Platform, we have cracked the code of industrial performance. This is how people and machines will be managed.  This technology is about helping scarce expertise goes further.”

intelliam.ai

TV star Steph McGovern, a former apprentice engineer at Black+Decker in Teesside, is set to host the event, which will incorporate celebrations from workplaces and colleges across devolved nations and regions.

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. 

Vocational Celebration Day, set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, honours those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

"The team at Teagle is looking forward to hosting this important celebration right here in Cornwall," said MD Tom Teagle. "Apprentices now make up 10% of our workforce, demonstrating the important role the programme plays within Teagle which was recognised by Enginuity during a recent fact-finding mission.

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

The first Vocational Celebration Day is seen as an important milestone in bringing about a seed change in parity of esteem between academic and vocational pathways to work.

"I am delighted that the great work being done here in Cornwall to ensure sustainable skills provision is being recognised at a national level," stated Eric Nichols of the Cornwall Manufacturers Group. "This is a big boost for all those working tirelessly to get young people in to work and those helping manufacturers across the county secure growth and prosperity for all."

A special edition of the hit podcast Steph on Skills: Powered by Enginuity, goes live on 6 August, streamed live on YouTube and social platforms at 10.00 and will be fed to news networks. The programme will feature young learners from across the country, employers, educators and government leaders.

Devised and driven by Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, Vocational Celebration Day aims to raise the status and profile of the thousands of young people who are doing their bit to build a better, more prosperous Britain. Although Enginuity and EAL operate in the engineering and manufacturing sector, they welcome involvement from the entire skills spectrum.

"This is brilliant news and long overdue," McGovern affirmed. “Why should academics have all the fun and glory? We have graduation days, A-Level Day, GCSE Day - now Vocational Celebration Day. I’ve been banging on for years about the need to celebrate vocational qualifications in the same way we do purely academic success stories. Let’s face it, vocational learners are the lifeblood of our country and yet have been left in the shadows.

"We want to make sure that this changes and these brilliant people get to celebrate in style," she added. 

Enginuity CEO Ann Watson characterised Vocational Celebration Day as "our gift to the entire skills and vocational community". "Congratulations to all those qualifying this year - this is a major achievement for those pursuing vocational careers. Take a bow, enjoy your moment in the spotlight and celebrate in the knowledge that you are well on the way to securing a rewarding career, that will be of benefit to you, your family and the country as a whole."

Across the United Kingdom, millions of individuals dedicate their careers to vocational pursuits: whether as skilled tradespeople, technicians, carers, culinary professionals, or creative artisans. These roles are the engine of progress, responsible for everything from keeping our lights on and our buildings safe to caring for our loved ones, crafting our cuisine, and driving innovation across sectors.

Vocational Celebration Day calls attention to the inherent value of learning by doing. As the world of work evolves, vocational training ensures that learners are ready to meet tomorrow's challenges, supporting economic growth, reducing skills gaps, and ensuring no talent goes untapped.

One of the defining strengths of vocational education in the UK is its inclusivity and social mobility. Vocational routes offer accessible pathways for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. From school leavers and career changers to those upskilling later in life, vocational training welcomes everyone with the ambition to learn and the desire to make a difference.

The flexibility of vocational learning, through apprenticeships, part-time study, and work-based training, ensures that opportunity is within reach for all. This inclusivity is vital for a fair and thriving society.

Behind every skilled professional is a story of ambition, determination, and achievement. Vocational Celebration Day highlights the journeys of individuals who have transformed their lives, and the lives of those around them, through vocational learning.

Vocational Celebration Day is a call to action for all individuals, employers, educators, and communities.

How to get involved:

• Employers can host open days, offer work experience opportunities, and share success stories of their workforce.
• Schools, colleges and training providers are encouraged to organise workshops and events that showcase vocational pathways and the talents of their students.
• Individuals can participate by sharing their vocational journey on social media using our dedicated hashtags: #VocationalCelebrationDay #CelebrateVocational

www.enginuity.org

www.eal.org.uk

 

ATMO Approved, introduced in 2022, is the industry’s global gold standard for measuring and recognising leading manufacturers and contractors of natural refrigerant solutions, which are responsible for powering heat pump systems, chiller and refrigeration systems around the world.

To achieve ATMO Approved status businesses must meet strict criteria and demonstrate impact. These criteria include highlighting evidence of reduced CO2 and TFA emissions, showcasing investment in training, and providing customer testimonials that demonstrate reliability and performance. Companies must also show proof that natural refrigerants are a core part of the business.

In practice, demonstrating impact means showing how their natural refrigerant technologies help reduce CO2-equivalent emissions while avoiding TFA emissions associated with many synthetic alternatives.

Since 2022 only 20 companies, out of more than 90 that have applied, have been successful in approval and re-approval. Güntner has achieved successful re-approval every year since the benchmark’s inception.

"Receiving the ATMO Approved Label again for 2026 reinforces the direction we have taken at Güntner. Advancing natural refrigerant technologies and high-efficiency heat exchange systems is essential to reducing the climate impact of cooling," said Michael Freiherr, head of technologies and Innovation at Güntner Group. "Our six sustainability pledges guide this work, from transitioning our product range to eco-friendly substances to reducing the environmental footprint of our manufacturing operations. This recognition highlights the role our technologies play in enabling more sustainable cooling worldwide."

guntner.com

Bridgnorth Aluminium, the UK’s last remaining aluminium rolling mill, revealed the new thin gauge slitting line at a special party held this weekend to mark 25 years of ownership by Viohalco Group, a Greek industrial powerhouse.

More than 500 members of staff, local dignitaries and key stakeholders enjoyed live music, games and a guided tour of a site that is now viewed as being critical to the UK’s sovereign manufacturing push.

Originally formed in Wolverhampton as Star Aluminium 90 years ago, the company has bounced back from a difficult trading period to return to 24/7 production, creating 35 new jobs in the first six months of this year.

It has traditionally served customers in printing, packaging and construction, with recent diversification efforts seeing it now provide specialist aluminium coils for use in energy and cleaner mobility.

The latter was typified with its recent 5-year deal to supply specialist material to Lotte Aluminium USA for use in battery development.

"We are firmly committed to production in the UK and respect the special role Bridgnorth Aluminium plays in local life, providing employment for several generations of family," said Giorgos Drakos, board member of Bridgnorth Aluminium, part of the Viohalco Group. "With this in mind, we wanted to mark 25 years of ownership by celebrating our tremendous workforce and the recent challenges we have overcome with Covid, tariffs and rising energy prices."

"The turnaround in fortunes after a very difficult 2023/24 has been phenomenal and we now have a platform to win work both at home and overseas. Consistent investment has created an advanced rolling mill and a unique national asset.

"Saturday was the opportunity to say thank you to the heartbeat of the business and to start writing a new chapter in the next 25 years of our history."

As part of its celebrations, Bridgnorth Aluminium has reinforced its commitment to the local area by donating £25,000 to charities and community groups, including a dedicated £15,000 boost to the Shropshire Community Foundation to reduce loneliness in rural areas.

This cause was chosen after it came out on top of a major survey of the workforce carried out earlier this year.

It has also agreed to renew the firm’s commitment to the community garden created on the former Hazeldine Foundry in the town, a site where renowned 18^th-century engineer Richard Trevithick developed his first fee-paying steam locomotive.

BAL had originally funded the project to mark the passing of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II and to celebrate close ties between the Greek owners and the Royal Family.

"The community garden is such a fantastic place for local people to relax, unwind or socialise and we have agreed to invest £6000 every year into its annual maintenance," added Adrian Musgrave, head of sales. "We are proud to be a Bridgnorth business and recognise that our factory has touched the lives of thousands of people in the town and will continue to do so as we expand. The garden is one of our ways of saying thank you."

www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk

This makes the housing ideal for systems with limited space, particularly in the medical, industrial, and test and measurement sectors. Both ODU-MAC Blue-Line frames and ODU-MAC White-Line frames in size 4 can be installed. The connector is available as standard in black or orange housing options, allowing it to blend in well with your device.

The space-saving spindle locking and the half shell design ensure easy assembly, component replacement, and proper cable routing. To ensure enhanced stability and durability, optional perforated metal sheets are used for strain relief.

Its key features include not only its robust and space-saving design, but also its high contact density, the flexibly adjustable cable outlet, and the flush mounting of the receptacle. For the proven ease of use, the built-in ODU-MAC Blue-Line modules have high mountability and can be installed and removed without tools. In addition, the connector is available complete with cable assembly, in line with the company's 'one-stop shop principle', where the interface, termination technology, and cable are all provided directly by ODU.

odu-connectors.com

The appointment reinforces its commitment to the Italian industrial market and strengthens support for customers, OEMs, and distribution partners.

In his new role, Caranti will lead the commercial strategy for IMI Industrial Automation in Italy, with responsibility for driving business growth in the OEM sector, deepening engagement with key customers, and further developing the company's partner network.

"It’s great to be joining such a customer-focused business as IMI and be able to lead the development of business opportunities across Italy through our team’s expert support for customers," he stated. 

Caranti brings extensive international experience across the industrial sector, having held both global and regional leadership positions with multinational organisations including GE and Emerson. His background spans industrial automation, software solutions, and complex machinery, with a strong track record in business development and commercial leadership.

The appointment forms part of IMI Industrial Automation's ongoing investment in the Italian market. The company aims to strengthen its presence across key industrial sectors, expand relationships with OEM customers, and further develop its distribution network to deliver increasingly application-focused, engineered solutions tailored to customer requirements.

"Italy is a strategically important market for our business. The appointment of Martino Caranti reflects our continued commitment to supporting customers with innovative solutions that improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability," said Mario Wrase, president EMEA at IMI Industrial Automation.

"Martino's extensive industry experience, customer focus and leadership capabilities will help us accelerate growth in the Italian market while strengthening our proximity to customers, distributors and partners. We welcome Martino to the team and look forward to building on our strong position in Italy and creating new opportunities for collaboration across the industrial sector."

www.norgren.com

The new initiative, powered by Enginuity - the former Sector Skills Council - 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. 

This day, set to be observed every year on the first Thursday of August, honours those whose passion, expertise, and dedication in vocational fields form the backbone of the UK’s economy and society.

The first Vocational Celebration Day is seen as an important milestone in bringing about a seed change in parity of esteem between academic and vocational pathways to work.

McGovern, who was an Apprentice Engineer at Black+Decker on Teesside, is set to host the proceedings with a live televised event which will incorporate celebrations from workplaces and colleges across devolved nations and regions.

The programme, a special edition of the hit podcast Steph on Skills: Powered by Enginuity, goes live on 6 August 2026, streamed live on YouTube and social platforms at 10.00 and will be fed to news networks.

The programme will feature young learners from across the country, employers, educators and government leaders.

Devised and driven by Enginuity and awarding organisation EAL, Vocational Celebration Day aims to raise the status and profile of the thousands of young people who are doing their bit to build a better, more prosperous Britain.

Although Enginuity and EAL operate in the engineering and manufacturing sector, they welcome involvement from the entire skills spectrum.

"This is brilliant news and long overdue," said McGovern. “Why should academics have all the fun and glory? We have graduation days, A-Level Day, GCSE Day - now Vocational Celebration Day. I've been banging on for years about the need to celebrate vocational qualifications in the same way we do purely academic success stories. Let’s face it, vocational learners are the lifeblood of our country and yet have been left in the shadows. We want to make sure that this changes and these brilliant people get to celebrate in style."

Enginuity CEO Ann Watson explained the new event "is our gift to the entire skills and vocational community". "Congratulations to all those qualifying this year, this is a major achievement for those pursuing vocational careers. 

"Take a bow, enjoy your moment in the spotlight and celebrate in the knowledge that you are well on the way to securing a rewarding career, that will be of benefit to you, your family and the country as a whole," she added.

Across the United Kingdom, millions of individuals dedicate their careers to vocational pursuits: whether as skilled tradespeople, technicians, carers, culinary professionals, or creative artisans. These roles are the engine of progress, responsible for everything from keeping our lights on and our buildings safe to caring for our loved ones, crafting our cuisine, and driving innovation across sectors.

Vocational Celebration Day calls attention to the inherent value of learning by doing. As the world of work evolves, vocational training ensures that learners are ready to meet tomorrow's challenges, supporting economic growth, reducing skills gaps, and ensuring no talent goes untapped.

One of the defining strengths of vocational education in the UK is its inclusivity and social mobility. Vocational routes offer accessible pathways for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. From school leavers and career changers to those upskilling later in life, vocational training welcomes everyone with the ambition to learn and the desire to make a difference.

The flexibility of vocational learning, through apprenticeships, part-time study, and work-based training, ensures that opportunity is within reach for all. This inclusivity is vital for a fair and thriving society.

Behind every skilled professional is a story of ambition, determination, and achievement. Vocational Celebration Day highlights the journeys of individuals who have transformed their lives, and the lives of those around them, through vocational learning.

Vocational Celebration Day is a call to action for all individuals, employers, educators, and communities.

How to get involved:

• Employers can host open days, offer work experience opportunities, and share success stories of their workforce.
• Schools, colleges and training providers are encouraged to organise workshops and events that showcase vocational pathways and the talents of their students.
• Individuals can participate by sharing their vocational journey on social media using our dedicated hashtags: #VocationalCelebrationDay #CelebrateVocational

www.enginuity.org

More than half (52%) of organisations have reduced or slowed hiring over the past six months, yet employee engagement (16%) and retention (15%) remain among the sector's biggest workforce challenges.

The findings, based on a survey of 142 manufacturing professionals conducted at Smart Manufacturing Week 2026, show that reducing costs has become the sector’s biggest challenge, according to 19% of respondents. The impact is already being felt across the industry, with nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents saying rising labour costs and productivity pressures are causing them to slow recruitment in skilled production and engineering roles, while 23% said they are increasing prices to offset higher costs.

Manufacturers are also adapting to the changing regulatory environment. Almost 40% of respondents said the Employment Rights Bill and wider labour regulations have already forced them to change how they manage their workforce. More broadly, more than two-thirds (67%) said current pressures are leading them to rethink how they manage and organise operations, while half said cost control is now taking priority over employee experience and workforce enablement.

AI adoption is growing, but operational maturity lags behind

While AI adoption is widespread, most manufacturers remain in the early stages of implementation maturity. Specifically, more than three-quarters (76%) said their organisation is using AI to support workforce or production operations, but only 11% reported deployment at scale. The research also found that just 7% are investing in AI primarily to improve the shopfloor experience, with most organisations focusing instead on efficiency and productivity objectives.

"Manufacturers are currently facing difficult business decisions, but as the findings suggest, many also recognise that reducing costs cannot come at the expense of workforce capability," said Mark Williams, MD EMEA at WorkJam. "Engagement and retention remain high on the agenda because experienced frontline and production employees play a critical role in maintaining productivity and operational performance. Manufacturers now need to invest in technology, such as AI-powered frontline employee engagement platforms, to improve efficiency and simplify operations while continuing to provide managers and frontline teams with the support they need to do their jobs effectively."

www.workjam.com

The company marks its 40th anniversary at a time of growing global demand for power quality, energy transparency and resilient electrical infrastructure. As electrification, AI-driven data centres and increasingly complex power grids reshape energy systems worldwide, the firm continues to expand its international presence and local customer support capabilities in key markets including the UK, North America and Australia.

"The requirements for modern energy infrastructure have changed dramatically over recent decades," said Markus Janitza, founder and CEO of Janitza. "As power grids become more dynamic and energy systems more complex, transparency and power quality are becoming increasingly critical, particularly in sectors such as data centres, industry and critical infrastructure. This is exactly where we continue to support our customers globally with precise measurement and monitoring technologies."

Founded in Germany in 1986 with around 30 employees, Janitza has grown from a regional manufacturer into an international provider of energy monitoring and power quality solutions operating in more than 90 countries worldwide. Today, the company supports customers in sectors where resilient electrical infrastructure and reliable power quality are mission-critical, including data centres, industrial environments, healthcare and energy infrastructure.

"Over the years, Janitza has always identified technological developments at an early stage and translated them into practical solutions for customers," stated Alexander Veidt, CEO at Janitza. "We will continue to follow this path consistently in the years ahead."

Throughout this international growth, Janitza remains a family-owned company with long-term strategic focus. Alongside continued investment in engineering and production capabilities in Germany, the company is further expanding its international sales and support network to strengthen customer proximity in key markets worldwide.

Janitza celebrated its 40th anniversary on 19 June 2026 with an industry event at its headquarters in Germany. Looking ahead, the company expects continued global demand for energy transparency, resilient electrical infrastructure and power quality solutions, particularly in sectors such as data centres, industry and critical infrastructure.

40.janitza.com

Luxinar’s MULTISCAN systems are used in a range of applications such as high-speed bottle and label marking, and traceability marking of leather for the fashion industry.

At the heart of one of Luxinar’s laser systems is a Single Board Computer with custom I/O cards. This SBC typically needs replacing every few years because the manufacturer obsoleted the current SBC. The recent problem facing Luxinar’s design team was that any available replacement SBCs required adaptors to maintain backwards compatibility with their existing proprietary measurement cards.  The BVM and Luxinar design teams worked together to develop an alternative to the original design, that reproduced the original SBC whilst fitting in the limited physical space available. 

The resulting solution used a COM-Express module from DFI to provide the computing power and a custom carrier board designed by BVM to house both the COM-Express module and slots for the specialist I/O modules. The use of the COM-Express module simplifies future upgrades as the CPU technology moves forward. The finished result provides a stable, scalable, future-proofed platform. BVM’s design for Luxinar provides a computing sub-assembly with integral I/O and cooling that exactly fits the allocated space. It provides full backwards compatibility to Luxinar’s proprietary cards without additional adaptors and has significantly improved system stability and reliability in use.

"When our existing SBC was obsoleted, we faced a significant redesign challenge - not just replacing the computing platform but maintaining full compatibility with our proprietary measurement cards in a very constrained space," said Billy Richards, technology stream manager at Luxinar. "BVM understood the problem quickly and worked collaboratively with our design team to develop a solution that met all our technical requirements without compromise. The result is a more stable, future-proofed platform that has performed reliably in the field since deployment. It gives us the confidence to continue developing our laser systems without being held back by hardware obsolescence. BVM is now our go-to partner for embedded computing challenges."

luxinar.com