Epson has been awarded the Platinum rating for sustainability by EcoVadis, one of the world's most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings. The recognition places Epson in the top 1% of more than 130,000 companies assessed globally, reflecting the company's strong performance across environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria.

Universal Robots (UR) unveiled the UR AI Trainer at GTC 2026 in Silicon Valley. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where robots imitate humans. 

Mouser Electronics is once again a Platinum sponsor of the Create the Future Design Contest. Create the Future is a global challenge for engineers and innovators to design the next great thing, with a chance to win the grand prize.

Diary date: Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester - Wednesday, 13 May 2026. MachineBuilding.North 2026 is designed to give engineers and manufacturing professionals a clear, structured and highly productive day focused on machine building and industrial automation.

Technidrive has launched a new electric motor scrappage scheme to help businesses reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs and accelerate their transition to high-efficiency operations.

Fire GO has implemented Mitsubishi Electric's industrial automation solutions to manage its mobile aircraft fire trainer. The German manufacturer uses these technologies to provide realistic training environments for airport firefighters, enabling safer and more effective emergency response preparation.

LG Motion, a UK-based specialist in robotic automation and electro-mechanical motion solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of Lean Robotic Automation, a new book written by Gary Livingstone, Managing Director of LG Motion.

In fish processing, moisture and salt turn system availability into a particularly demanding task. At Seafood Expo in Barcelona, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS will demonstrate how its NXD tupH surface treatment protects its aluminium drive solutions against such influences.

Beckhoff UK will exhibit at MACH 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham from April 20-24, 2026, demonstrating its MX-System alongside XTS and a two-tile XPlanar system.

The process and packaging industry is changing, and developments such as digitalisation, increasing regulatory requirements and changing consumer behaviour are challenging producers, machine builders and system integrators. COPA-DATA will be presenting its zenon software platform at interpack, demonstrating how process automation supports transformation within the industry.