AR Power Secures Landmark Solar Contract with Hozelock UK

AR Power is proud to announce that they have been appointed to deliver a major 1.6MW rooftop solar PV installation for Hozelock at their manufacturing facility in Birmingham.

The project represents another significant milestone for the Washington-based business as they continue to support leading UK manufacturers in reducing energy costs, improving operational resilience and accelerating their sustainability ambitions through large-scale renewable energy solutions. Once completed, the rooftop solar installation will generate a substantial proportion of the site’s daytime electricity demand directly from renewable energy. This will enable Hozelock to significantly reduce reliance on grid electricity, lower long-term operational costs and achieve meaningful carbon reductions across its manufacturing operations.

Solar Power for Manufacturing

The appointment reflects growing demand from the UK manufacturing sector for high-quality, commercially focused solar energy solutions that deliver both environmental and financial benefits. With increasing energy market volatility and continued pressure on businesses to decarbonise, large-scale rooftop solar projects are becoming an essential part of long-term operational strategy for industrial organisations. For AR Power, the Hozelock contract is another example of the company’s ability to deliver technically complex commercial solar installations for nationally recognised brands operating within demanding live environments.

Projects of this scale require extensive technical expertise and meticulous planning from the earliest stages of development. The scheme involves detailed system design, structural coordination, grid compliance management and comprehensive delivery planning to ensure the installation can be completed safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to day-to-day manufacturing operations. AR Power’s in-house commercial, technical and operational teams will work closely alongside Hozelock stakeholders throughout every phase of the project to ensure seamless coordination and delivery.

Decarbonisation

Chris Balmer, Managing Director at AR Power, welcomed the contract award and highlighted the importance of collaboration on projects of this scale. “This is a fantastic project for both AR Power and Hozelock UK. We are incredibly proud to have been selected to deliver a solar installation of this size and significance for such a well-known and respected manufacturing brand. The manufacturing sector is facing increasing pressure around energy costs and sustainability targets and projects like this demonstrate how renewable energy can play a major role in supporting long-term operational resilience and carbon reduction.

Our team has extensive experience delivering large-scale commercial solar projects and we’re looking forward to working closely with Hozelock to ensure the successful delivery of the scheme. The project also reinforces AR Power’s continued growth within the commercial energy sector. Over recent years, the business has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality solar installations across manufacturing, logistics, education, retail and commercial property environments.

The Hozelock installation is expected to make a substantial contribution towards the company’s sustainability objectives while supporting wider efforts to decarbonise UK industry and improve energy independence across the manufacturing sector.

AR Power would like to thank everyone involved in the project to date and looks forward to working in partnership with Hozelock to deliver another flagship commercial solar installation for the UK manufacturing sector.

Image: Left, Stephen Armstrong, Head of Commercial.  Right, Chris Balmer, Managing Director.

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What does JB Components do?

JB Components supplies aluminium, sheet metal and fabricated components to the UK and Ireland’s road transport, vehicle bodybuilding and manufacturing sectors. Part of the Service Metals Group, we provide standard stock materials, commercial vehicle body fittings, laser-cut and CNC-pressed parts, welded assemblies, bespoke fabrications and custom aluminium extrusions where volumes justify tooling — helping customers achieve cost-effective, production-ready solutions with reliable lead times.

What makes JB Components great?

We are adaptable, commercially competitive and built around solving customer problems. We hold a large range of stock materials, sheet, sections and commercial vehicle body components for the road transport industry, which allows us to respond quickly and offer highly competitive pricing.

Alongside our core aluminium, sheet metal and fabrication work, we are also flexible enough to support non-standard requirements — including sourcing specialist components for our customers. Our relationships with numerous mills also allow us to support custom aluminium extrusions where volumes justify tooling, helping customers create more efficient, purpose-designed solutions.

We are always looking to strengthen and expand our supply chain so we can offer customers more options, better value and reliable UK-based support.

What is your 5 year plan? 

Over the next five years, JB Components aims to strengthen its position by diversifying our product offering, improving our manufacturing capabilities and developing our own product lines.

We want to continue supporting the road transport and vehicle bodybuilding sectors while expanding into new markets where our sheet metal, fabrication, laser cutting, CNC pressing and supply chain capabilities can add value. By investing in better processes, broader manufacturing capability and more efficient production methods, we aim to offer customers greater flexibility, shorter lead times and more cost-effective solutions.

A key part of our plan is to create our own range of products that complement our existing strengths, helping us remain competitive, reduce reliance on standard supply work and provide customers with practical, production-ready solutions backed by reliable UK-based support.

What are you looking for from your EMN membership?

We are looking to build stronger connections across the regional engineering and manufacturing community. We want to meet potential new customers, develop relationships with suitable subcontractors where collaboration makes sense, and stay informed about engineering growth and investment across the North East.

We also value the opportunity to be part of wider discussions around the challenges facing UK manufacturing. By sharing knowledge, learning from others and discussing difficult topics openly, we hope to contribute to a stronger, more resilient and more competitive manufacturing sector.

What information do you want to get out to members? 

We want to make members more aware of who JB Components are, what we do and where we can add value. Because much of our work sits within the road transport and vehicle bodybuilding industry, people do not always realise the full range of products, materials and manufacturing support we can provide.

Through EMN, we would like to share more information about our product catalogues, stock materials, standard sections, commercial vehicle body components, bespoke fabrication capabilities, custom extrusion options, and the events or exhibitions we are attending. Our aim is to make it easier for members to understand our capabilities, identify opportunities to work with us, and see where we may be able to support their own supply chain or manufacturing requirements.

What are you going to offer back to the community?

We want to be an active and supportive member of the EMN community, sharing our knowledge and experience where it can add value. This includes getting involved in STEM projects, supporting initiatives that encourage future talent into engineering and manufacturing, and contributing to wider conversations around the sector.

We are also happy to offer advice to members in areas where we have specialist knowledge, including road transport products, aluminium and sheet metal supply, available sections and extrusions, bespoke aluminium extrusion options, and design-for-manufacture support. Where members have questions around materials, component supply or fabrication routes, we want to be approachable and useful.

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What does Ford Aerospace do?

We are experts in the manufacture and assembly of mission critical components for the world’s most respected OEMs. As our name suggests we do a great deal of work for the aerospace industry, but we also support other hi-tech sectors such as defence, renewables and astronautical.

We are an award-winning business and have forged excellent relationships with some of the world’s leading Primes and OEMs to supply precision components for production, legacy and spares programmes. Providing a combination of make-to-print and industry standard components, the volumes we produce can vary greatly from single items to hundreds of thousands.

Precision Shims are also a key product line for the business. Essential for gap and tolerance management in critical structures and assemblies our products are used in many ways such as structures, transmissions, gearboxes and actuators. Available in metallic and non-metallic materials, they offer dimensional accuracy, reduced waste and inventory optimisation. In fact, Ford Aerospace is one of only two manufacturers in the UK, and a handful globally to manufacture laminated materials in-house.

What makes Ford Aerospace great?

Our history dates back to 1910 and we have changed a lot over the years, but we remain as true to our mission ‘to keep people moving safely’ as we ever did.

A proud North East SME our skills in gap management are world leading. Our products are tailored to meet the needs of individual customers, and our in-house expertise in manufacturing processes and practices, enable us to stand head and shoulders above others in the field.

Offering world-class manufacturing capabilities, Ford Aerospace is committed to helping grow the manufacturing sector. This can be seen by our commitment to the Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy, which delivers pre-apprenticeship engineering programmes in collaboration with Gateshead College and South Tyneside College.

What does the future look like for Ford Aerospace?

Built upon strong foundations Ford Aerospace continues to innovate and support the growth of the manufacturing community in which we operate.

Our business is continuing to expand, as we strengthen our reputation for producing the highest quality components and mechanical assemblies.

Planned expansion will see us moving into new markets, including more international development. To support this activity, we continue to invest in our capabilities and facilities. Our team is obviously a vital part of our future activity plans so we will also be looking to nurture their development, as well as adding to the team.

We know Ford Aerospace is a great place to work, so we are definitely going to be sharing more information on our achievements in the future.

What are you looking for from your EMN membership?

More of the same please!

The opportunities and access to information EMN offers is so important to SMEs and the manufacturing sector. The networking and breakfast sessions are a great way to stay in touch with peers, share ideas and best practice. There are so many pressures on all our diaries, so being part of a network that listens and develops sessions in line with its members interests that you can dip in and out of is very reassuring.

What information do you want to get out to members?

As a business, we would like to be able to share more information about future opportunities and activities we are taking part in. The EMN membership directory is a great way to profile your business and likewise being able to share in our successes and post news stories on the platform is a huge bonus.

What are you going to offer back to the community?

One of the benefits of The Engineering & Manufacturing Network is that the members tend to be very proactive, for example hosting and taking part in speaker events. Earlier this year, we hosted an event at our South Shields facility which focused on how apprenticeships can help drive performance. Events such as these and the sharing of information is central to developing the network and something we are very proud to support.

We know first-hand how important it is to invest in the next generation, so our work with Ford Aerospace Apprenticeship Academy, is complemented by our work experience and active schools’ engagement programme, which regularly sees team members going into the classroom as well as arranging factory visits to give children and young people an insight to the world of manufacturing and the array of careers opportunities available in the sector. At the other end of the spectrum, several members of our team sit on industry focused bodies to help raise awareness of how important our region is to vital sector.

https://www.ford-aerospace.com/

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Express Engineering Group, a global leader in the manufacture, assembly, and testing of precision-engineered solutions, has been awarded the UK’s most prestigious business accolade: The King’s Award for Enterprise.
The group, which comprises Express Engineering in Gateshead and QA Weld Tech in Middlesbrough, has been recognised in the International Trade category for ‘Outstanding Short-Term Growth’.

Only 185 organisations across the UK have received a King’s Award for Enterprise in 2026. They are the most prestigious official accolades for UK businesses, granted annually to recognise and encourage outstanding
achievements in the British private sector across four specific categories: International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility.

This honour follows a period of record-breaking performance in which Express grew its overseas sales by more than 91% between 2022 and 2024, generating £78 million in export sales over that period. This achievement solidifies the group’s status as one of the North East’s largest and most successful exporters, delivering safety-critical components to major offshore energy and infrastructure projects across the globe.

Founded in 1973 by the late Keith Thompson MBE, Express Engineering Group has evolved over five decades from a local workshop into a £60 million turnover global engineering powerhouse employing approximately 330 highly skilled people across seven advanced manufacturing facilities in Gateshead and Middlesbrough.

The group’s success is built upon its unique capability as a full turnkey supplier, managing the entire production lifecycle of safety-critical products – from initial material sourcing and world-class precision machining to specialist welding, cladding, and rigorous assembly and testing. Operating as a vital Tier 1 partner to global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), the group counts industry leaders, including TechnipFMC, OneSubsea, Aker Solutions, and Baker Hughes, among its key customers.

The group’s reach extends far beyond its regional roots. Exporting now represents 75% of annual turnover, with precision-engineered components deployed in the world’s most hostile environments, from the crushing pressures of the deep sea to the stringent safety requirements of the power generation, nuclear, and defence sectors. From its bases in Gateshead and Middlesbrough, the group services major offshore projects in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Africa, Malaysia, and Australasia.

Reflecting on the achievement, Chris Thompson, Chairman of Express Engineering Group, said: “I have dedicated more than 50 years to this business, and growing the company my father founded into a world-leading exporter has been an immense privilege. This King’s Award is a testament to our people, from those team members who have been with us for decades to the talented apprentices who are the future of our trade. Our growth has always been built on a foundation of technical expertise and a global reputation for excellence. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I know that the business is in a stronger position than ever to continue flying the flag for North East engineering on the world stage.”

The King’s Award follows a decade of strategic investment designed to strengthen the group’s technical capability, manufacturing capacity and international reach. In October 2013, Express Engineering Group secured investment from LDC, the leading private equity investor, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, to support its international expansion strategy, drive growth in new markets and increase capacity.

LDC and Chris Thompson provided follow-on investment in 2017 and 2019 to further support the growth of the business. This included the opening of a £3.5 million, 48,000 sq. ft purpose-built International Assembly and Test
Centre in Gateshead in 2020, enhancing response times, operational productivity and support for its global subsea customer base.

Further growth followed in 2023 with the acquisition of Middlesbrough-based QA Weld Tech, which expanded the group’s service offering, added specialist welding and fabrication capability, and opened access to new products and markets.

In October 2025, QA Weld Tech expanded into a new dockside facility in Middlesbrough to support continued demand for larger-scale global projects. The site provides an expanded manufacturing footprint, enabling the team to handle larger, more complex fabrications and heavy assemblies.

While the group’s products are deployed worldwide, its operations remain deeply rooted in the North East. Express Engineering Group continues to work closely with a network of regional suppliers and remains committed to developing future engineering talent through its apprenticeship programme, helping train the next generation of machinists, welders and engineers.

Craig Swinhoe, CEO of Express Engineering Group, added: “Express Engineering and QA Weld Tech are remarkable businesses with deep roots in this region and a hard-earned reputation for precision and reliability. This award is a fantastic recognition of our ability to service the most demanding global markets from our bases in Gateshead and Middlesbrough.”

“We have an incredible team here, and we have worked hard to foster a culture of engagement, making the group a great place to work where people feel valued and proud to contribute. We are immensely proud of our role in the global supply chain and the local partnerships that make our success possible. As we look ahead, we will continue to strengthen the business and attract new talent to help us grow and increase our service offering, ensuring we remain a trusted Tier 1 partner capable of delivering the advanced technical solutions and exacting safety standards our customers rely on across the subsea, power generation, defence, and nuclear sectors.”
For more information, visit www.express-engineering.co.uk

Express Engineering Website: www.express-engineering.co.uk

Email: sales@express-engineering.co.uk

LinkedIn: Express Engineering Group Head Office: Kingsway, Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE11 0EG

QA Weld Tech Website: www.qaweldtech.com

Email: enquiries@qaweldtech.com

LinkedIn: QA Weld Tech Office: 2a Bowes Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1LU

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Health & Safety questions slowing you down?

EMN members can now speak directly to experienced Health & Safety advisors at our Service Provider Member @Citation – free of charge – as part of your membership.

Whether you’re dealing with an incident, reviewing risk assessments, or just want a second opinion on compliance, help is only a phone call away.

📞 0161 504 0843
🕘 Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
When you call, press 2 for Health & Safety and quote Engineering and Manufacturing Network.

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NorthEdge has supported Latus Group to acquire Cirrus Environmental Solutions Limited (Cirrus), a North East-based occupational hygiene specialist, strengthening Latus’ national footprint and establishing the Group as one of the UK’s leading occupational hygiene providers.

Cirrus has deep technical expertise within key occupational hygiene services, including air quality and exposure monitoring; occupational noise surveys; Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Testing; and Whole Body and Hand Arm Vibration monitoring. They support clients across a wide range of sectors to comply with health and safety and environmental legislation, regulations, site permits and general good practice.

Led by co-founders Rachel Bowman and Stuart Hovvels, Cirrus brings a team of highly qualified and experienced Occupational Hygienists, several of whom hold the Certificate of Operational Competence in Occupational Hygiene and the Certificate of Operational Competence in Control. Additionally, Rachel is a Regional Co-ordinator for the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) – the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection.

The acquisition further supports Latus Group’s rapidly growing Occupational Hygiene division, following the recent acquisition of Euro Environmental Limited in February 2026. Together, the acquisitions firmly establish Latus as the leading national-scale provider of end-to-end workplace compliance solutions, underpinned by market-leading technologies, focused on keeping employees fit and healthy in work.

Cirrus’ established office in the North East will become Latus’ Northern Hub, from which it will provide Occupational Hygiene and extended Occupational Health services into the northern regions and Scotland, giving the Group broader national coverage.

Jack Latus, CEO of Latus, said: “The acquisition of Cirrus represents Latus’ fifth acquisition since NorthEdge’s initial investment in July 2024. The deal demonstrates the growth and stability of the Latus platform; and underscores our commitment to increasing the quality and breadth of our services for our clients.

“Occupational hygiene remains a key strategic growth area for us. As well as providing us with additional services and geographic coverage, the acquisition of Cirrus also sees us bring market-leading occupational hygiene talent into the Group – with a highly skilled team led by Rachel and Stuart. I look forward to working with them as we deliver on our collective mission of modernising workplace healthcare and improving employee health outcomes across the UK.”

Phil Frame, Partner at NorthEdge, said: “The acquisition of Cirrus represents continued momentum across the Latus Group, following their recent acquisition of Euro Environmental. The rapid growth and scale of Latus’ occupational hygiene division demonstrates the increasing demand for workplace health solutions across the UK; and this deal is another strong example of the business delivering on its strategy to scale its platform and provide end-to-end workplace healthcare services.”

NorthEdge and Latus were advised by Muckle (Legal), Cortus (FDD), BHP (Tax DD) and LWE Commercial (Property). The transaction was supported with funding from Santander.

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TSEC Limited, headquartered in Stanley and founded in 2005, focuses on providing application-specific resistor solutions for demanding applications. With strong expertise in designing and manufacturing customised thick film power resistors, high-voltage resistors, resistor networks, and heater resistors, the company delivers tailored solutions to suit individual application needs.

In certain situations, standard resistor components are unable to satisfy the strict demands of harsh environments or high-reliability systems. In these cases, off-the-shelf options may prove inadequate, meaning that bespoke resistor solutions become essential.

“We utilise Thick film resistor technology because it offers a combination of mechanical robustness, exceptional thermal properties, and low inductance, making it ideally suited for custom resistor applications. The advantages of application-specific thick film resistors include:

• Mechanical Robustness:
• Excellent Thermal Properties:
• Low Inductance:
• High Resistance Density:
• Cost-Effectiveness:

Thick film technology allows for a high level of customisation, including resistance values, tolerances, and configurations.

By utilising thick film resistor technology, we can offer devices that not only meet the specific demands of your applications but also provide a reliable, cost-effective solution that does not compromise performance or quality.”

http://www.tsec.ltd.uk/

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What does Newcastle University do?

Newcastle University exists for the public benefit to advance education, learning, and research. We aim to work collaboratively with our many external partners to shape brighter futures, grow the economy, and champion social justice.

While studying with us, our graduates and apprentices develop skills designed to meet industry needs, learning through our high-quality training in engineering and advanced manufacturing needs. We partner with businesses to deliver practical learning opportunities and support workforce development, as well as supporting innovation and R&D within engineering and manufacturing sectors.

What makes Newcastle University great?

Newcastle University has earned a strong reputation for academic excellence in its industry-relevant courses. We are a founding member of the Russell Group – an association of 24 leading UK public research universities – and hold 5+ QS Star rating for overall excellence (2024) and Awarded 5 QS Stars for Employability (2025). In 2026, we ranked in the QS World University rankings global top 140.

Our apprenticeship provision has been rated good by Ofsted (2023), where it was highlighted that our apprenticeships have been instrumental in meeting a skills gap in the North East.

Our higher and degree apprenticeship programmes provide outstanding teaching and skills development delivered by leaders in their field:

• a globally recognised qualification
• opportunities for apprentices to network with market-leading professionals, sharing ideas and best practice
• access to our state-of-the-art facilities and online resources
• a training pathway that meets the demands of your business
• monthly one-to-one meetings with a dedicated skills coach to support and monitor apprenticeship progress.

What is your five-year plan?

Over the next five years, we offer:

• A focused engineering apprenticeship – we deliver a small number of high-quality higher and degree apprenticeships, aligned to our strengths and the skills needs of regional employers
• Clear routes to develop talent – our programmes support progression from early careers through to advanced roles, helping you build and retain skilled engineering teams
• Flexible Apprenticeship Units – short, targeted learning options funded through the Levy, designed to upskill staff quickly without committing to a full apprenticeship
• Practical CPD for today’s skills needs – modular courses in areas such as digital, AI and sustainable engineering, tailored to support immediate workforce challenge
• An opportunity to make your Apprenticeship Levy work harder – we help you get real value from your levy, investing it back into your workforce and the wider North East economy

What are you looking for from your EMN membership?

We’re always looking for opportunities to connect and enhance workforce development. Collaborating with others can offer insights into emerging trends, tech, and skills needs, and provide a platform to showcase opportunities, events and success stories.

What are you going to offer back to the community?

A collaboration with Newcastle University means gaining access to apprenticeship programmes and structured learning opportunities.

What information do you want to get out to members?

Applications are now open for our September 2026 cohort for our L6 Product Design and Development Engineer Apprenticeship.

We’re continuing to develop new apprenticeship programmes each year across a range of subject areas, in partnership with employers, and work with organisations to create programmes that fit business’ need.

If there’s something we don’t currently offer that would be of benefit to your organisation and addresses a skills gap in your sector, please get in touch by email (apprenticeships@ncl.ac.uk) to discuss how we can help and tailor a programme to meet your needs.

Explore our higher and degree apprenticeships and our professional development focused cpd programmes.

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Washington-based renewable energy company, AR Power, has announced key changes to its senior management team as it positions itself for continued growth and expansion across the UK commercial solar sector.

From 1 May, Luke Lubo will be promoted to Technical Director, having previously served as Technical Manager. Chris Balmer will transition from Operations Director into the role of Managing Director, while current Technical Director Mark Dunville will step back from day-to-day responsibilities, he will, however, remain closely involved with the business in a board advisory capacity, offering ongoing strategic insight and industry expertise.

The leadership changes come at a pivotal time for the company, which specialises in the design and installation of commercial solar PV systems across the UK. AR Power has recently secured a number of significant contracts, reflecting growing demand from businesses seeking to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and stabilise long-term operating costs.

Commenting on the developments, Managing Director Chris Balmer said, “After a strong period of contract success, we are proud to be strengthening our management team. These changes are a clear reflection of our ambition and our continued focus on sustainable growth.”

In the current economic climate, many businesses are looking to stabilise their energy costs, which has led to increased interest in solar power solutions. With our ability to deliver a fully integrated in-house turnkey service focused on safety, quality and delivering customer excellence, we are in a strong position to continue driving the business forward.

We’re excited to build on our momentum and continue supporting clients across the UK in their transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy.”

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Paragon Rapid Technologies is a UK based engineering firm focused on rapid prototyping and low-to-medium volume manufacturing. Based in the North East of England, they support businesses in transforming early stage ideas into functional, production-ready parts.

Paragon offers a broad mix of capabilities, combining additive manufacturing (3D printing) including SLA, SLS, and Multi Jet Fusion with more traditional processes such as CNC machining and vacuum casting. Through this hybrid approach clients are able to move smoothly, from prototype development, to small-scale production without changing suppliers, saving both time and cost.

Paragon works across a range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and consumer products. Their services often include design support, material selection, and product optimisation, helping ensure that parts are not only manufacturable but also efficient and reliable.

A key strength of Paragon is their end-to-end service model, which enables faster iteration, reduced development risk, and shorter time to market. By integrating design, prototyping, and production under one roof, they act as a practical bridge between innovation and full-scale manufacturing.

Find out more

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