INDUSTRY NEWS
Pre-Met presses ahead with QSP relocation
Pre-Met has invested £ 500,000 into relocating the operations and welding technology of Quality Springs & Pressings( QSP), a business it bought at the start of January. The metal pressings and stamping specialist in the UK has upgraded factorywide electrical supply, freed up 10,000 square feet of production space and created dedicated welding bays to support new opportunities in defence, aerospace and transportation.
“ All staff are now operational at our Studley Road factory in Redditch, with the management team keen to use the acquisition to capitalise on enhanced wire form and spring manufacturing expertise, as well as embedding robotic welding and assemblies into our overall service offer,” said the company.
Four new jobs have been created and this number could increase with Pre-Met recently
securing JOSCAR approval, a global bestpractice supplier portal used by major OEMs, Tier 1s and supply chain companies across the UK and Europe.
James Leng, Managing Director, Pre- Met, commented:“ Our order book has strengthened quite nicely since the acquisition, and this has given us confidence to re-invest in taking the next steps. Many existing clients have extended their order schedules, and this has been combined with securing new work in transportation,
electronics and construction products, alongside some renewals components to extend the life of commercial scale recycling bins.”
He continued:“ The relocation has been a real labour of love, but we are now in an ideal position to maximise the QSP purchase. As part of the move, we accelerated the modernisation of our production facility, installing additional storage and, importantly, creating a dedicated welding section with manual and robotic bays. We can now support precision MIG and Pulsed MIG welding processes.”
More recently, Pre-Met has reinforced its commitment to digital transformation by obtaining its‘ Cyber Essentials’ security certificate. n
www. metalpressings andstampings. co. uk
EuroBLECH continues to build momentum
The 28th edition of EuroBLECH 2026, organised by RX, will take place from 20- 23 October 2026 at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany. Held every two years, EuroBLECH is the world’ s leading exhibition for sheet metal working technology. EuroBLECH 2024 welcomed 1,317 exhibitors and 38,946 trade visitors from 114 countries, occupying a gross exhibition space of 160,000sqm.
“ For the first time, we introduced at-event rebooking which enables exhibitors to secure their stand space for 2026 while still at the 2024 show. As a result, a substantial portion of space has already been allocated across the nine halls of the Hanover Exhibition Grounds,” said Evelyn Warwick, Exhibition Director for EuroBLECH, on behalf of RX.
“ While the broader market remains challenging, EuroBLECH remains the most important global platform for showcasing sheet metal innovation. With new features launching and continued demand for cuttingedge, sustainable, digitalised and AI-enabled solutions, the event is evolving alongside the industry itself.”
The event’ s theme,‘ For a Stronger Future – Smart & Sustainable Production’, reflects the industry’ s ongoing transformation as it pursues greater efficiency, flexibility and resilience. From AI-enabled workflows and robotics to laser innovations and circular manufacturing, the 2026 edition will spotlight the technologies, tools and strategies shaping a stronger, more sustainable future for sheet metal working worldwide.
New and enhanced features
EuroBLECH 2026 is introducing several new and enhanced features to deepen engagement and support more targeted business opportunities.
■ New: Innovation Zone. A dedicated space that will spotlight emerging technologies, applied research and system-ready concepts.
■ New: Job Shop & Subcontractors Market. A dedicated space for fabrication centres and subcontracting manufacturers to connect with visitors from OEMs and other manufacturing sectors.
■ New: Automotive Guided Tours. Structured routes tailored to the automotive sector, helping automotive OEMs connect with relevant technologies and suppliers. These complement the returning Guided Tours.
■ Returning: NextGen Technology Stage & EuroBLECH Awards. The NextGen Technology Stage will once again host expert-led sessions on automation, digitalisation, sustainability and AI. The EuroBLECH Awards will return with six categories celebrating standout achievements, with Award Trails guiding visitors to shortlisted exhibitors.
■ Revived: Visitor App. The app has now been upgraded to help visitors navigate the show, bookmark exhibitors and plan their days more effectively.
■ Returning: Careers Day. A dedicated day to connect students, apprentices and young professionals with hiring businesses. The initiative supports workforce development and provides insights into careers across sheet metalworking industry.
Companies looking to exhibit at EuroBLECH 2026 can now explore stand options and packages, including the myEuroBLECH Easy Package and the First-Time Exhibitor Package for newcomers to the show. Email: euroblech @ rxglobal. com n
www. euroblech. com
22 | ismr. net | ISMR October 2025