FEDERATION OF ENGINE RE-MANUFACTURERS
FER celebrates successful 2026 Conference & AGM
n The Federation of Engine Remanufacturers( FER) welcomed key stakeholders and guests from across the automotive sector, as it held this year’ s conference and annual general meeting( AGM). Held at the Hilton Hotel in Cambridge, the event allowed all FER members to provide real-world insight with fellow stakeholders.
All guests were welcomed to the conference with tea and coffee, before Julian Thompson, Director of Hartech, took to the stage to share the latest updates from the independent Porsche service provider.
Lubricant analyst, Lake Speed Jr, followed to present his findings on the effects both zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate( ZDDP) additives and engine break-in oil have when protecting engines.
Bringing insight into pistons, cylinder bores and sliding surfaces was Nino Maglia, who made the final presentation before FER’ s 2026 AGM, where members from across the country were brought together to discuss the future of the federation.
Rod Bennett, Operations Manager at the FER, commented,‘ As we adapt to the modern demands of engine remanufacturing, events such as these become crucial to the federation’ s strategy going forward. I’ m delighted with such a great turnout for this year’ s conference and AGM, as we look ahead to the future of engine maintenance and the wider aftermarket.’
The FER continues to represent its members at the forefront of industry discussions, ensuring voices are heard in shaping policy, standards and innovation across the automotive aftermarket.
Sunnen’ s advanced innovations in honing, metrology, tooling and deep-mole machining
n When manufacturing demands tighter tolerances, stronger process control and greater production efficiency, the right technology makes all the difference. At IMTS 2026, Sunnen showcased its latest innovations in honing, dimensional metrology, tooling and deep-hole machining, giving attendees the opportunity to explore solutions designed for today’ s most demanding bore-sizing and finishing applications.
In September, at McCormick Place in Chicago, visitors to Sunnen’ s stand experience advanced equipment, live demonstrations and conversations with technical experts who understand the realities of modern manufacturing.
A featured attraction at the Sunnen booth was the PGA-1000 Air Gage, Sunnen’ s first dedicated bench-top air-gaging system. Built for fast, reliable and highly accurate dimensional measurement, the PGA-1000 is available in single-master and dual-master configurations, providing a modern option for manufacturers seeking to replace legacy Mahr Federal Dimensionair ® or Western Gauge Micro 2 systems.
The PGA-1000 combines an intuitive five-inch touchscreen interface with
real-time statistical process control capabilities, multiple display modes and flexible data-export options. Compatible with a broad range of air probes and configurable accessories, it is engineered to support both production-floor measurement needs and qualitylaboratory applications.
Sunnen also featured the nextgeneration Sunnen2 control system for its horizontal honing systems. Evolved from the company’ s high-performance vertical honing solutions, the Sunnen2 control brings advanced process capability to Sunnen’ s horizontal machine line. For manufacturers focused on improving productivity without compromising bore geometry or surfacefinish requirements, this technology offers a path toward more consistent, efficient operations. Attendees can learn how the control system supports repeatable processes across demanding honing applications.
The SV-3015 Vertical Honing Machine, with an integrated air-gaging column, was also on display. Combining automation, precision control and application flexibility, the SV-3015 is designed to handle a range of bore-sizing and finishing requirements for both small and larger workpieces. Its high spindle speeds, programmable process control and adaptable work area make it well suited
14 The Engine Rebuilder Issue 06