INDUSTRY NEWS
Atkin Automation lands major export contract
The Atkin Automation division of Group Rhodes , based in Wakefield ( UK ), is celebrating a record seven-figure export contract win . One of its North-American customers has placed an order for three special-purpose laser processing cells , together with three additional process lines comprising a fleet of 36 decoilers , recoilers and associated products to be used in the sheet metal industry . The contract will be fulfilled at the company ’ s manufacturing facility in Wakefield ( Yorkshire , UK ).
Geoff Barker , Sales Manager , Atkin Automation , explained : “ We are really pleased to be celebrating what is the largest export contract in Atkin ’ s history . Our team ’ s ability to seamlessly balance high-volume production with precision process control and timely delivery was a key factor in achieving this milestone . This prestigious project marks a promising start to 2025 and underscores our
Above : Group Rhodes recently expanded its operations into a new 25,000-square-foot premises next to its manufacturing facility in Wakefield , West Yorkshire ( UK ).
commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients .”
Atkin Automation , originally the combined WT Atkin & BHP brands , supplies coilprocessing line equipment and has a long history of serving UK and international markets . The substantial contract , secured with a repeat customer , will support the creation of three new material processing lines .
Atkin Automation is part of the Group Rhodes family , which encompasses a range of metal forming capabilities , including its sister companies Rhodes Interform ; Crescent Machinery ; HME ; John Shaw ; Fielding and Platt ; Henry Berry and Chester Hydraulics . Group Rhodes provides a full range of OEM machinery and aftermarket services for the metal forming industry . Rhodes Interform focuses on the design and manufacture of machinery to serve the advanced metal and composite forming industries , with a particular focus on the aerospace sector .
Group Rhodes celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2024 and recently expanded its operations into a new 25,000-square-foot premises next to its manufacturing facility in Wakefield , West Yorkshire . n
www . grouprhodes . co . uk
Don ’ t miss Blechexpo / Schweisstec
Don ’ t miss the 17th Blechexpo international trade fair for sheet metal working , together with the 10th Schweisstec international trade fair for joining technology , from 21-24 October 2025 in Stuttgart , Germany .
The “ best Award 2025 ” competition winners , in five categories , will be announced at the end of the first day of the event ( 21 October 2025 ). Participation in the “ best Award 2025 ” competition is open exclusively to exhibitors at Blechexpo / Schweisstec 2025 , who can submit their entries via www . maschinenmarkt-awards . de / best-award-en
The second day of the event will showcase the “ best CONGRESS ” ( with Stahl-Kommunikation ), bringing together experts to discuss the use of AI in sheetmetal working . It will showcase pioneering AI technology applications and their potential in manufacturing , exchanging best practices and preparing for future industry challenges in a practical way . With a highly practical approach , the “ best CONGRESS ” 2025 aims to shed light on the topic of AI in sheet metal working from a business perspective .
“ The clear-cut thematic structure covering all aspects of thermal and mechanical sheet metal processing including peripheral equipment with control and software systems , as well as handling and quality assurance solutions , brings suppliers and users together in a highly focused and efficient manner . At the same time , complementary events ensure that expert visitors can benefit from extensive technical information and new contacts ,” explained Georg Knauer , project manager at trade fair promoters P . E . Schall .
A new highlight at Blechexpo / Schweisstec 2025 is Career Friday . The campaign invites young talent to discover the diverse career opportunities offered by the sheet metal working industry at first hand . Pupils , students and entry-level professionals will be able to visit international exhibitors at their booths in the ten exhibition halls at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre and participate in guided tours at 10am and 1pm on Friday ( 24 October 2025 ). The initiative aims to link up young professionals and companies with the support of exhibitors , media partners and associations .
At the last Blechexpo / Schweisstec in 2023 , 1256 exhibitors from 38 countries supported the trade fair in nine halls for four days with a packed supplementary
The ThyssenKrupp stand at Blechexpo 2023 .
programme . In 2025 , sheet metal , pipe and profile processing exhibitors will be in halls 1 , 3 , 5 and 7 . Halls 4 and 6 are reserved for stamping technologies . Cutting , joining and fastening technologies will be presented in hall 9 . Hall 8 will focus on pressing and forming technologies . Steel and metal services , as well as surface finishing technology , will be in hall 10 .
“ Supplemented by the award , the congress , a diverse presentation programme at the forum and a career day for recruiting new talent , the next Blechexpo / Schweisstec will once again be an outstanding autumn event which has been firmly established in the industry ’ s calendars ,” concluded project manager , Georg Knauer . n
www . blechexpo-messe . de
www . schweisstec-messe . de
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