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Nissan reveals new European range including Sunderland-built Leaf and Juke - and a comeback for the Micra

Automotive giant Nissan has shown images of the third generation Leaf model which is due to go into production at Sunderland later this year. The Japanese car maker has also announced it is reviving the Micra name for a new all-electric supermini to be launched this year, though that model will be designed in London and built in France. Meanwhile engineers are still working on a new, all-electric Juke - which will follow the Leaf onto production lines at Sunderland and which completes the refresh of Nissan's European range. Nissan claims to have been the first to produce mass-market electric vehicles when the original Leaf was introduced in 2010. Its third generation update comes with a new aerodynamic shape and is developed on the manufacturer's CMF-EV platform, which it shares with larger stablemate Ariya. The second new vehicle to be launched in Europe in 2025 also represents the return of a historic nameplate, LEAF – a badge associated with the pioneering EV which started the mass-market electric vehicle revolution when it was introduced in 2010. Leon Dorssers, regional senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle-East, India, Europe & Oceania) region, said: “The renewal of Nissan’s European line-up is the realisation of our bold plan to electrify our range in Europe. All the new models will share common Nissan DNA: striking design, technical innovation and intuitive technology – a combination of qualities which we are confident will attract new buyers to Nissan, as well as continuing to appeal to existing customers who already love how Nissan vehicles enrich their daily lives.” David Moss, senior vice president, region research and development, AMIEO, said: “As well as welcoming the return of the Micra as an EV and the third generation of our revolutionary LEAF, we’ve made significant steps with one of our most popular technologies. Having reinvented the hybrid with introduction of e-POWER by making it quieter and more responsive than a traditional hybrid, the forthcoming updates to e-POWER will make it even more efficient, more refined and closer overall to a pure EV-driving experience. It will remain the powertrain of choice for buyers who love the feel of driving electric, but don’t want to recharge.” Changes to Nissan's European showroom line-up come as incoming chief executive Ivan Espinosa says he is determined to speed-up decision making at the manufacturer. Mr Espinosa takes over from embattled Makoto Uchida, who has led the company through a turbulent time of falling sales, financial worries and collapsed merger talks with Honda.

· Manufacturing   2026-01-26 15:32:38

Airea looking to benefit of multimillion-pound investment effort as sales grow

Flooring manufacturer Airea says investment into its factory capabilities is expected to bring benefits in the third quarter, following strong sales growth but a fall in profits. The carpet tile specialist which owns the Burmatex brand saw 6% sales growth in the second half of 2024, despite a weaker first half in which bosses say announcement of the General Election had brought about cancellations in key public sector work. Full year revenue was up 0.6% to £21.2m and operating profit before valuation gain was down from £1.8m to £700,000, having been impacted by £900,000 worth of costs associated with investment. Airea has been implementing a £5m overhaul of its factory set-up with the introduction of new equipment, including robotics. The work has impacted the AIM-listed firm's bottom line in the short term, but CEO Médéric Payne told BusinessLive he was eager to get the systems running - as commissioning of the equipment could start from June. In full year 2024 results, investors were told of momentum behind the business - and were given a final dividend of 60p per share, up from 55p per share in 2023 and the fourth consecutive year of dividend growth. Airea has said it is well placed for future profitable growth. Asked about markets the firm is looking to grow in, Mr Payne said: "We're doing a bit more in hospitality than we have done traditionally - so that's encouraging. And we're doing a lot more on white label and selling to other manufacturers who want our product but under their brand or credentials. "Some of those are new customers who are wanting to purchase more locally, rather than far away, overseas, and where they've got more control over supply chain. And also, our capabilities are such that we are prepared to do it now." He added: "Bearing in mind, having just done this investment into the factory, and having doubled capacity, we also need to be able to increase - and 'feed the monster' as I say in the office - and to make sure we have enough orders to make sure the investment was worthwhile." In January, post year end, Airea launched a showroom and warehouse operation in Dubai - which Mr Payne said signalled where the business saw growth opportunities. That facility is intended not only as a gateway to Middle East work but also further afield, with the company having identified Dubai as hub to host clients from markets such as Africa. Within the results, chairman Martin Toogood said: "The group was pleased with the positive momentum in the second half of the year. This encouraging performance was delivered despite the ongoing global economic and geopolitical challenges. "We made further progress in expanding our sustainable portfolio with the launch of several carbon-neutral products both in the UK and in our key target overseas markets. The opening of the group's new showroom in Dubai in January 2025 is another example of our investment for future growth. This will operate as a strategic hub to drive sales across the GCC, MEA regions and India.

· Manufacturing   2026-01-12 13:54:46

UK manufacturing woes deepening as industry 'hit on several fronts'

The latest UK Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from S&P Global indicates a deepening crisis in the country's manufacturing sector. S&P Global's most recent PMI survey, which gathers data from approximately 600 industrial firms about their performance, suggests that manufacturing is once again on a downward trajectory after a disappointing start to the year, as reported by City AM. The latest figure reveals a drop to 44.9, slightly better than the anticipated 44.6 predicted by economists. This represents the lowest reading in 17 months, compared to an average of 51.7 between 2008 and 2025. Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, described the outlook as "darkening" with confidence plummeting across the sector. Dobson stated: "Companies are being hit on several fronts." He elaborated: "Costs are rising due to changes in the national minimum wage and national insurance contributions, geopolitical tensions are intensifying, and global trade faces potential disruptions from tariffs." He added: "Although the impact on production volumes was widespread across industry, it was again small manufacturers that took the hardest knock." The manufacturing sector had already begun to falter in the new year. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reported a decline in output in January, suggesting businesses were "conserving funds" in response to Reeves' tax raid, which includes increases to national insurance contributions (NICs). Employer taxes are scheduled to be implemented starting this week, with the threshold for paying the levy lowered to £5,000.

· Manufacturing   2026-01-17 07:14:17

Aston Martin at risk of takeover as Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll boosts stake

Aston Martin is under threat of a takeover by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who plans to increase his stake in the car manufacturer by £52.5m. Stroll's Yew Tree Consortium is aiming to purchase 75m shares in Aston Martin at a seven per cent premium, which would raise his ownership of the car manufacturer to 33 per cent, as reported by City AM. However, the UK Takeover Code stipulates that anyone acquiring more than 30 per cent of shares in a company must make an offer to buy out the remaining shareholders. This could potentially force Stroll, who also serves as executive chair of the firm, to take over the last remaining car manufacturer on British markets. Aston Martin stated in a stock exchange announcement this morning that the investment would depend on the takeover limit for the firm being raised to 35 per cent. This would be achieved by seeking a waiver from the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, as well as a resolution from other shareholders in the firm. Aston Martin's stock price has plummeted 45 per cent in the last six months as investors worry about the impact of US president Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on non-American car manufacturers. On Thursday, when Trump announced plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all car makers, the firm was the worst performer in the FTSE 250, falling seven per cent. "Five years into Aston Martin's transformation, I remain highly confident about the company's medium-term prospects having re-positioned the company as one of the most desirable ultra-luxury high performance automotive brands," Stroll remarked. Lawrence Stroll initially acquired a stake in Aston Martin in 2021 after his Yew Tree consortium invested £182m, securing him a 16.7% share of the luxury carmaker. By 2023, Stroll had bolstered his holding in Aston Martin to 27%. Moreover, today Aston Martin announced its intention to divest its minority interest in its Formula One team for £74m, despite valuing the stake at £50.9m at the end of the previous year. Notably, Stroll's son, Lance Stroll, competes for the Aston Martin F1 team. The disclosure of Stroll's planned acquisition precedes the release of Aston Martin's quarterly financial results, expected later this month.

· Manufacturing   2026-01-18 22:16:36

Cycling accessories firm secures funding to expand Bristol HQ

A Bristol cycling accessories designer and manufacturer has secured £600,000 to fuel its expansion plans. Tailfin, on Cumberland Road, is part of the rapidly-growing 'bikepacking' market - an adventure-focused cycling discipline where cyclists carry all necessary gear on their bikes. The company was founded a decade ago by Nick Broadbent, a mechanical engineer and product designer, and initially focused on rack and pannier accessories. Today, Tailfin has more than 12 product lines distributed from warehouses in the Netherlands, US, and Europe. The business will use the additional working capital from the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund, and delivered by fund manager FW Capital, to broaden its product range, it said. Significant investment is also being directed towards expanding the company's Bristol headquarters, creating a state-of-the-art R&D studio with new equipment, specialised tools, and enhanced prototyping capabilities. Extra funds will also be used to invest in high-quality video production equipment and a dedicated studio space, Tailfin added. Mr Broadbent said: “This investment marks a significant milestone for Tailfin, enabling us to push the boundaries of design and technology further and to enhance our robust intellectual property portfolio, which already includes over 20 patents. "Crucially, it also supports our growth strategy by enabling us to expand both our innovative product lines and our talented team of passionate cycling enthusiasts.” Tailfin's Bristol headquarters houses a team of 25 designers, marketers, and operational specialists, collaborating with specialist manufacturing partners across China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Jordan Berg represented FW Capital and led the deal. He said: “Tailfin is a premium quality brand in the bikepacking world that have created an innovative range of products that appeal to all cyclists from commuters, adventure cyclists to world-class ultra endurance athletes. Nick’s vision to bring his products to market is very impressive and the success Tailfin has enjoyed is testament to that." The South West Investment Fund provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help small and medium-sized businesses to start up and scale up. Fund manager FW Capital provides debt finance using the South West Investment Fund to businesses in Bristol, Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset and Wiltshire. Lizzy Upton from the British Business Bank added: “The South West Investment Fund was created to support ambitious businesses like Tailfin, helping them scale, innovate, and strengthen their market position."

· Manufacturing   2026-01-21 12:54:44

Fears for Scunthorpe steelworks jobs as consultation launched on closure

British Steel's Chinese owner Jingye is launching a consultation on the closing of its blast furnaces at Scunthorpe steelworks, sparking fears for thousands of jobs at the site. Unions the GMB, Community and Unite have called on the Government to help secure the future of British Steel, which has said the closure could come at a later date if an agreement is reached. Jingye, which pointed to the impact of tariffs among the reasons for the decision, says it has invested more than £1.2bn in British Steel since it took over in 2020 and has incurred losses of about £700,000 per day. It said: "Despite this, the blast furnaces and steelmaking operations are no longer financially sustainable due to highly challenging market conditions, the imposition of tariffs, and higher environmental costs relating to the production of high-carbon steel. The company had sought support from the UK Government for a major capital investment in two new electric arc furnaces. "However, following many months of negotiations, no agreement has been reached. As a result, the difficult decision has been made to consult with employees and to consider proposals to close the blast furnaces and steelmaking operations and reduce rolling mill capacity." British Steel chief executive Zengwei An said: "We understand this is an extremely difficult day for our staff, their families, and everyone associated with British Steel. But we believe this is a necessary decision given the hugely challenging circumstances the business faces. We remain committed to engaging with our workforce and unions, as well as our suppliers and customers during this time." News of the consultation follows a plan put forward in February by Community which proposed to keep two blast furnaces at Scunthorpe while new, electric arc furnaces were built. The plan required £200m of Government support to offset carbon costs during the transition period. At the time, Community warned that if the Scunthorpe site was to close, the UK would become the only G7 country without domestic steelmaking capacity. The prompted worries over national security. Jingye said it had sought Government support for the major capital investment required for the electric arc furnaces but that months of negotiations had not yielded an agreement. Roy Rickhuss, Community general secretary, said: "This is a dark day for our steel industry and for our country. We urge Jingye and the UK Government to get back around the table to resume negotiations before it is too late. "Crucially, Jingye have not ruled out retaining the blast furnaces during a transition to low-carbon steelmaking if they can secure the backing of the Government. The closures at Scunthorpe would represent a hammer blow to communities which were built on steel, and where the industry still supports thousands of jobs directly and thousands more through extensive supply chains. "Given that we are now on the cusp of becoming the only G7 country without domestic primary steelmaking capacity, it is no exaggeration to say that our national security is gravely threatened. This would be catastrophic at any time, let alone in the current era of geopolitical instability and volatility. "Steel is an essential component of defensive infrastructure, just as it is to wider plans to invest in growth across the country. At this critical juncture, the Labour Government must do everything it can to secure the future of steelmaking at Scunthorpe - it would be unthinkable for them to let it die on their watch. "Labour has made important commitments to steelworkers, including setting aside £2.5bn towards supporting the steel sector with decarbonisation, and it is now time for Government to deploy these funds to protect the industry. "If the Government chooses to let Scunthorpe die it would make a mockery of their grand ambitions to deliver growth through massive infrastructure investment, because British Steel is our only steelmaker than can produce the construction steels the country needs for our roads, railways, schools and hospitals."

· Manufacturing   2026-01-13 06:12:28

Aston Martin to pay top bosses more than peers after struggling to attract talent

Aston Martin is set to outstrip its FTSE 250 counterparts by offering higher remuneration packages to its top executives, following difficulties in attracting high-calibre talent in recent years. The luxury car manufacturer, based in Warwickshire, is considering boosting the bonus potential for its CEO and CFO from 200% to 250% of their respective salaries, as reported by City AM. In a statement, Aston Martin noted that "while this would position annual bonus ahead of UK FTSE 250 practice, it would take our annual bonus policy to median within our identified global luxury peer group and lower quartile against our automotive peers." The company conceded that it has faced challenges in talent acquisition "due to the lack of competitiveness of our reward packages" under its latest remuneration policy. It further stated that the enhanced bonus opportunity would "continue to be linked to stretching targets, ensuring maximum payouts are only received for exceptional performance across a range of KPIs [key performance indicators]." Additionally, Aston Martin is proposing a new hybrid long-term incentive plan structure which would merge existing performance share awards with new restricted shares "to better support the delivery of our strategy." CEO Adrian Hallmark, who took the reins at Aston Martin in September last year after serving as chairman and CEO of luxury car maker Bentley, is among those set to benefit from these changes. Prior to Hallmark's appointment, Aston Martin was led by CEO Amedeo Felisa since 2022 under the watchful eye of executive chairman Lawrence Stroll. Hallmark's remuneration for his initial tenure at Aston Martin amounted to £1m, comprising a pro-rata salary of £333,000, an annual bonus of £600,000, and additional benefits and pension contributions. This financial disclosure follows a report by City AM in February revealing that Aston Martin was set to eliminate 170 jobs as part of a cost-cutting strategy. The job cuts, representing five per cent of its global workforce, are expected to yield savings of about £25m. Concurrently, Aston Martin reported an annual loss of £289.1m and a three per cent decline in revenue to £1.58bn. The company's debt escalated by 43 per cent to £1.16bn in 2024, with shares dropping by roughly a third. In the annual report, Anne Stevens, the chair of the remuneration committee, wrote: "While our 2022 policy was designed with good flexibility and has proved broadly fit-for-purpose, we have faced challenges that the proposed 2025 policy aims to address." "Aston Martin, while a UK-headquartered and FTSE-listed company, is a global business and sources executive talent from global luxury and automotive companies." "Over 80 per cent of cars we wholesaled in 2024 were to our regions outside of the UK, and our executive directors frequently visit the regions and must navigate regulatory and political challenges across global jurisdictions." She continued: "The committee avoids targeting the median of any single peer group and would not rely on benchmark data for policy changes, instead we take a holistic view of UK and global reward practices." "While we have been able to secure recent key hires, we have faced challenges during the recruitment process, due to the lack of competitiveness of our reward packages, particularly our incentive opportunities compared to global luxury and automotive peers (where we have recruited talent from)." "A further reference point considered was the history of realised pay at Aston Martin since 2021." "While outcomes of our incentives over recent years have reflected the ambitious nature of the company and industry-wide challenges and therefore the shareholder experience, the committee is mindful that incentive outcomes have not reflected the significant efforts of the team." "This has resulted in our executive directors being underpaid relative to other senior leaders at Aston Martin, who receive a portion of their remuneration in restricted shares. "While incentivising performance remains our priority, we believe we would benefit from a revised incentive approach, to better align the senior team and to reflect practice of our global peers."

· Manufacturing   2026-01-28 09:08:44

Fentimans runs tight ship to boost profits despite consumer spending issues

Soft drinks maker Fentimans has grown profits despite cost of living issues continuing to eat away at consumers' spending power. The Northumberland-based seller of botanically brewed drinks, including its ginger beer and rose lemonade, saw operating profits before exceptional costs rise from £97,153 to £1.38m last year, and a pre-tax loss of more than £655,000 converted to a pre-tax profit of £1.4m. New accounts filed for the Hexham firm show it managed to boost earning despite falling sales. Fentimans saw gross sales dip to £39.5m from £42.9m as turnover fell to £35.6m from £38.9m. Bosses said the gains had come thanks to significant cost savings made in the face of what it called a "challenging backdrop" with weakening demand. CEO Ian Bray said the business was tightly run and outlined a number of cost cutting measures including a glass light-weighting project; looking for efficiencies with suppliers; tight management of marketing budgets and continuous improvement of processes. Fentimans has previously voiced its concern about the impact on glass-bottled drinks producers posed by incoming rules that require them to fund the costs of recycling packaging waste, based on weight. Mr Bray also pointed to overseas exports helping build a solid foundation for the business. A breakdown of gross sales showed the UK saw a 6.4% fall to £20.2m as more promotional activity was needed to maintain volumes, which had been particularly effective over Christmas. Meanwhile gross export sales fell 8% to £16.1m as demand also waned in key international markets. Fentimans said it had changed several distributors with the aim of positioning itself for long-term growth. And in the US, gross sales plummeted from £23.8m to £3.3m - where the firm said there had been a reduction in volumes with existing customers. Within the accounts, the firm said 2025 is expected to bring a more stable inflationary environment but one with continued lacking demand. It plans to meet those challenges by expanding global distribution of its ranges. Mr Bray said: “This is a significant improvement on the previous year and a testament to the hard work of our fantastic team and quality of our products. We enter the new financial year with increased optimism despite some notable headwinds. Like all SMEs we are facing huge tax increases across the business this year, with the hike in employers' National Insurance, increases in the National Living Wage plus the introduction of an anti-competitive packaging tax on glass. "We will continue to push forward in 2025. This year will see us continue to focus on our strengths, with some exciting partnerships, product developments and opening more new international markets."

· Manufacturing   2026-01-28 08:04:10

Manufacturer celebrates 'significant milestone' with French Connection deal

A Birmingham manufacturer has secured an exclusive supply deal with one of the UK's most-famous fashion brands. Dalian Talent has signed a five-year partnership with French Connection to supply its physical and online stores with licensed candles and home fragrances. Dalian, which is based in Kings Heath, called the deal "a significant milestone" in the company's 27-year history. The business makes candles for both private label and brand licensing for home fragrance, candle-related home furnishings and personal care products. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. French Connection enlisted the firm to expand its home fragrance category. The debut collection is being sold across the UK, Europe, India, America and the Middle East, as well as through digital channels, and features eight ranges and gift sets. The products are made using shea butter, harvested from trees in West Africa. The tie up has also seen the French Connection candles listed by high street fashion staple Next and on its website. Dalian's chief executive Hamish Morjaria said: "The development of the French Connection home fragrance range was a deeply collaborative process. "We worked closely with its design team to ensure the collection authentically reflected the brand's values, aesthetics and emerging trends….bringing the first collection to market in just six months." French Connection's chief executive Apinder Ghura added: "We are delighted to partner with Dalian Talent Group on this exciting venture. "We look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead."

· Manufacturing   2026-01-27 19:23:08

Penarth headquartered global diagnostics firm EKF appoints new CEO

Penarth headquartered global diagnostics company, EKF Diagnostics, has appointed a new chief executive with immediate effect. The Alternative Investment Market listed business has promoted its chief product officer, Gavin Jones, to the role. Founder of the business, Julian Baines, had been at the helm of the business in an executive chair capacity, a role that he will remain in for the foreseeable future. Penarth-born Mr Baines, said: “I’m delighted that Gavin Jones is taking on the role as chief executive and joining the board. Gavin has over twenty years of experience in point-of-care and life sciences and has been instrumental in driving the commercial success of many of our products. "Many shareholders have met Gavin over the last year or so as he’s become more and more involved in the senior leadership team. Gavin has ambitious plans for delivering sustainable growth and unlocking the unrealised potential that our core products and service hold. We have an exciting opportunity to increase our commercial investment to drive organic growth and I’m delighted that Gavin will lead that process.” For its financial 2024 (calendar) financial year EKF post revenues of £50.2m (down from £52.6m a year earlier), which reflected a move away from lower margin products. Adjusted Ebitda climbed 9.2% to £11.3m while its pre-tax rose from £2.1m to £6.3m. Mr Baines said:”The 2024 results reflect the positive effects of our rationalisation process and the benefits that a more simplified business with greater commercial focus on higher margin products and services can bring to the group. “We have already delivered further significant improvements to our adjusted Ebitda margin and vastly improved cash generation, however we believe our five-year development plan will further improve these metrics, with sensible reinvestment into our key business divisions to drive organic growth and margin improvement. “EKF remains a well-established business, with a core product portfolio that is capable of significant growth with the right investment. We continue to generate significant levels of cash from our operations and we believe our biggest challenge as a board is to deploy this cash most effectively to generate further growth and value for shareholders.”

· Manufacturing   2026-02-04 17:59:37