A&M's Managing Director Mark Wingfield contributed to an Express & Star article as Business leaders in the Black Country and wider West Midlands looked forward to 2026.
Mark Wingfield is managing director at Smethwick-based A&M EDM which provides precision engineered solutions by combing EDM (Electro Discharge Machining) spark and wire erosion, CNC milling and turning and toolmaking.
The company designs and manufactures components for customers in the aerospace, automotive, Formula 1, food production, marine, production assembly and space sectors.
He said: "The UK needs to reduce energy prices for manufacturing, which are three to four times higher than competitors in Europe and USA.
"We recently replaced the roof on our EDM factory and are in the process of adding solar panels, with a match-funded grant from the West Midlands BEAS energy programme."
He said businesses face the constant threat of cyber problems but it has invested in the government-recommended Cyber Essentials Plus certification in 2025 but he said: "In reality, there’s only so much that SMEs can do to combat sophisticated hackers."
And he added: "We are living in turbulent times with global disruptions more frequent and potential blockages in with supply chains. To thrive, we need to expect the unexpected and be agile and resilient.
"We hope there will be supply chain opportunities for SMEs in defence manufacturing and the recently announced Nuclear Small Modular Reactors."
He said the business aims to increase its manufacturing capabilities and sales to key customers in aerospace and Formula 1 in 2026 and to continue its policy of consistent investment in new machinery and facilities and manufacturing aerospace components in exotic materials.
It will also expand on digitalisation as well as continuing to invest in developing future talent and in employee wellbeing, having opened a staff gym in 2025.
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/business/2025/12/28/west-midlands-business-leaders-share-hopes-and-fears-for-2026/