08 Apr 2026 // Make UK’s £1 Billion Rate Warning, Labotek’s New Granulator, and Key Appointments

In today’s brief:📉 Economic Pressure: New analysis from Make UK warns that manufacturers face a nearly £1 billion surge in business rates this month. With three-quarters of firms citing rates as a top-five cost, the "triple whammy" of taxes, energy, and employment costs is putting an estimated 25,000 jobs at risk.⚙️ Ancillary Innovation: Labotek GB prepares to debut the Getecha RS 150 at Interplas 2026. The compact, hopper-fed granulator is designed for space-restricted environments, offering high-quality regrind for demanding materials like TPE and POM with a focus on low energy consumption.🏭 Leadership Update: County Durham’s LPC Elements appoints Richard Morris as General Manager. Bringing extensive P&L and operational experience, Morris will oversee the UK’s only Northern-based manufacturer of heater bands and cartridge heaters as they maintain their perfect ISO 9001 record.👥 Technical Talent: Sierra 57 Consult expands its polymer engineering team with the appointment of Ben Maguire. As a specialist consultant and experienced injection moulding technician, Maguire will support the industry through technical recruitment, mould contracting, and practical training.For the full stories, visit plastikmedia.co.uk.