INDUSTRY NEWS
CECIMO confirms launch of AM-Europe
On 22 June 2026, CECIMO( the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies) announced the official launch of AM-Europe. This dedicated European platform for the additive manufacturing( AM) sector marks a new phase in CECIMO’ s longstanding work to support the development, recognition and competitiveness of additive manufacturing in Europe.
“ AM-Europe will continue to advance the vision set out in the Manifesto for a‘ Competitive European Additive Manufacturing Sector’, positioning Europe as a global powerhouse for additive manufacturing and fostering an ecosystem capable of developing and deploying advanced technologies across industrial sectors. The platform will contribute to Europe’ s green and digital transition, while strengthening industrial resilience, technological capabilities and high-value manufacturing,” CECIMO told ISMR.
“ With its formal establishment as a European platform, AM-Europe is now opening participation to a wider range of stakeholders across the additive manufacturing ecosystem. National associations, research organisations and competence centres are invited to join the initiative and contribute to a stronger and more coordinated European AM community.
AM-Europe is open to new members wishing to contribute to the development of a stronger, more coordinated, and globally competitive European additive manufacturing ecosystem,” it added.
AM-Europe has been established by a group of founding members representing key segments of the European additive manufacturing ecosystem including UCIMU; AITA3D; ADDIMAT; FMTI; SWISSMEM and AMUK. Operating within CECIMO’ s governance framework while benefiting from a dedicated European identity, AM- Europe will serve as a common platform for coordination, representation and strategic dialogue. It will support closer cooperation across the sector, help align priorities and ensure that the voice of the European AM ecosystem is clearly reflected in EU policy discussions.
As part of its future activities, AM-Europe will focus on policy advocacy; industrial collaboration; innovation; standardisation; market intelligence; skills development and closer engagement with European institutions and stakeholders.
MTI awards
In further news, CECIMO has also extended the submission deadline for its
AM product examples.
Manufacturing Technologies Innovation( MTI) Awards to 16 September 2026. The awards recognise excellence across three categories:
■ MTI Award- Best Overall Innovation
■ Green Impact Award
■ Innovative Start-up Award.
The winner of the Innovative Start-up Award will receive a free exhibition booth at EMO Milano 2027. For submission guidelines and application details, see www. cecimo. eu / guidelines-for-applicants / n
www
. cecimo. eu
Image: Shutterstock. com.
Yorkshire fabricator backs £ 1m investment
C & C Fabrications, a precision steel fabrication and engineering specialist based in Ferrybridge, Yorkshire( UK), is marking its 30th anniversary with a £ 1 million-plus investment in automation and manufacturing capacity. This is, it confirmed,“ a deliberate response to the skills shortage running through the UK fabrication trade.”
Founded by Chris Wallage and Chris Butler in 1996 operating from a residential garage with two employees and a turnover of £ 150,000, the business now employs 32 people and expects to achieve £ 3.8 million revenue this year. Its customer base spans over 200 businesses, including major retailers and distributors. Its project portfolio ranges from accessibility solutions and street furniture to conversion work at UK landmark sites.
Investment already underway includes £ 220,000 in electric CNC tube bending and rolling, with tube laser cutting and robotic welding to follow. Further development of the company’ s in-house powder coating capabilities is also planned, alongside a
Chris Wallage, Managing Director, C & C Fabrications.
3,000-sq. ft. manufacturing extension that will allow more projects to be completed under one roof, reducing external dependencies and shortening lead times.
The investment reflects a deliberate response to the skills shortage running through UK manufacturing.
“ With fewer people entering the trade, we have moved our training focus towards automation and programming, reducing reliance on manual processes while maintaining our reputation for precision and
fast turnaround. We have remained loyal to our workforce with many employees progressing through apprenticeships into technical and engineering roles. We are also looking to expand in the food manufacturing, furniture production and automation sectors to achieve our target of £ 5 million turnover by 2027,” confirmed the manufacturer.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Chris Wallage, Managing Director, C & C Fabrications, said:“ Thirty years ago, we were two people working out of a garage. We’ ve never taken the easy route and every investment we’ ve made has been deliberate. That’ s what’ s got us here alongside our ethos of strong customer service and long-term team building. I believe the next five years are going to be more interesting than the last thirty. Technology and AI are moving fast— what we can offer customers in five years will look very different to today. That’ s what drives the investment.” n
www. candcfabrications ltd. co. uk /
ISMR July / August 2026 | ismr. net | 11