INDUSTRY NEWS
Register for MACH 2026 in Birmingham
With new and returning exhibitors showcasing the full spectrum of UK manufacturing technologies, MACH 2026 will take place across five halls of the NEC in Birmingham( UK) from 20-24 April 2026. The manufacturing technology on display at MACH 2026 will include machine tools; cutting tools; metrology equipment; additive manufacturing( 3Dprinting); surface engineering; robotics and automation; sheet metal; metal forming and fabrication technology; and specialist software which is enabling and driving the digitalisation of manufacturing.
“ MACH 2026 will open its doors to over 30,000 members of the manufacturing community, bringing together buyers, sellers, specifiers and designers. The biennial event offers an unmissable opportunity to experience new technology, live and in action, and is perfectly timed for UK manufacturers preparing for growth in capacity and capability,” said show organiser, the UK’ s Manufacturing Technologies Association( MTA).
The event, sponsored by Lloyds, will again feature the Knowledge Hubs. These interactive hubs are designed to provide manufacturers with practical guidance on adopting new technologies, helping them to tackle challenges, boost performance and improve
competitiveness by connecting with experts and suppliers.
“ Strategically located across the show floor, the Knowledge Hubs will focus on key industry topics including subjects [ such as ] automation and robotics, additive manufacturing, data and AI, and consumable tooling. They are designed to provide visitors with impartial advice and signpost them around the show, as well as provide invaluable insights into when and how to invest in technology that drives improvements in productivity, efficiency and operational costs,” explained the MTA.
The‘ Machining & Tooling Knowledge Hub’ is a particular focus for MACH 2026 and is supported by a wide range of tooling companies. A key part of the Hub is a seminar theatre where presentations will take place covering subjects including how to apply the latest cutting tool technologies plus pointers on selecting suitable insert geometries. The programme is designed to empower manufacturers to work faster, better and more cost-effectively.
The Education and Development Zone( E & D Zone), sponsored by Iscar Tools, is the educational hub at MACH 2026. It is designed for students keen to explore what engineeringbased manufacturing can offer them as a future career and to help them find their‘ pathway to engineering’.
MACH is a biennial event that brings together the manufacturing community. It is supported by other key manufacturing organisations including the UK’ s High Value Manufacturing Catapult and its centres, the MMMA and, for the first time, by Automate UK and Make UK.
The MTA operates as an organisational cluster which includes the trade associations Additive Manufacturing UK( AMUK) and Engineering Supply Chain UK( ESCUK), with both represented at MACH with their own dedicated zones. n
www
. machexhibition. com
Alleima targets future growth in China
Alleima continues to strengthen its position in the Chinese market by inaugurating its production mill in Zhenjiang, an investment of SEK 255 million( RMB 193 million).
“ This investment coincides with 40 years of Alleima presence in China and [ supports ] the growing demand for high-quality tubular products for industries like chemical and petrochemical, hydrogen, pulp and paper, and medical. With this investment, we will double our production capacity, broaden our product range, employ additional employees and enable shorter lead times for customers across China and Asia,” stated Alleima.
The company is a global manufacturer of high value-added products in advanced stainless steels and can trace its origins back to 1862 in Sandviken, Sweden. It was among the first Swedish industrial companies to establish operations in China. Since 1985, Alleima has continued its expansion in China. This investment includes a 12,500m ² cold-finishing mill. It is doubling Alleima’ s production capacity in China, enabling it to introduce its premium portfolio of application tubing products.
“ With this investment, we are meeting a strong growing market in China. By adding capacity and broadening our portfolio, we are strengthening our ability to deliver our products locally in Asia. We are a leader in materials technology, and our focus is to serve the most demanding industries with high-quality tubular products. This supports our customers’ needs for efficiency, reliability and sustainability— key pillars of our longterm growth strategy,” said Göran Björkman, President and CEO of Alleima.
“ China is one of our most important growth markets. By expanding our local manufacturing capabilities, we shorten lead times, enhance supply reliability and strengthen collaboration with our customers in China. This investment underscores our long-term commitment to the Chinese market, while positioning Zhenjiang as a strategic hub with the potential to serve the broader Asia region as well. We have [ seen ] impressive development in the Asian region with strong development of revenues in the chemical and petrochemical segment over the last seven years, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 20 %,” added Carl von Schantz, president of Alleima’ s tube division.
The new facility will be solar-powered in line with the Alleima Zhenjiang Green Factory certified award, given by Jiangsu Province.
The new tube mill will also extend its cold-worked tube range( 6 – 115mm OD) to meet growing requirements in demanding industrial environments. n
www. alleima. com
14 | ismr. net | ISMR December 2025 / January 2026