Run by manufacturers
For manufacturers
Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance
CKMA is a membership group of manufacturing businesses centred on a key manufacturing cluster of small and medium sized manufacturing firms in and around West Yorkshire.
“CKMA is incredible value for your money and a valuable resource for a lot of companies.”
David Chappell, MD, Crompton Controls, WakefieldInspire, Inform, Integrate & Involve
It’s what we do for our members and sponsors.
Our members tend to be specialists in their field, constantly punching above their weight as an integral part of successfully functioning strategic supply chains in the UK and global economy such as aerospace, automotive, power, rail and much more. Innovation and specialist, niche machining capabilities are common factors to our diverse group of members.
“CKMA is a fantastic organisation working to support businesses in the Calderdale and Kirklees region. What sets it apart is that the assistance is relevant and tangible.”
Simon Simpson, Batorer CNC Precision Engineers, Cleckheaton
Our Purpose
We’re led by our manufacturing members and their priorities.
We are an active group of local manufacturers who meet together to share best practice, experience and knowledge, bring together the local supply chain and encourage collaborative working. With a steering group drawn from our rich pool of successful local manufacturing business leaders, actively supported by national and local business support organisations we focus on what is current and relevant on behalf of our members.
Our purpose is to promote continuous business improvement in all its forms in manufacturing across West Yorkshire and beyond. We do this through initiatives which attract and engage with talent, support effective skills training, drive productivity and encourage resilient local supply chains in order to underpin the region’s economy and manufacturing reputation in a global marketplace.
“Being a member of the CKMA has given me networking opportunities in my local area, access to seminars on relevant subjects to myself and my company, and helped me gain more knowledge and understanding of the sectors we work in from more experienced, friendly and helpful business leaders and relevant business representatives. We have also been guided to funding sources and local training providers to help improve and grow our business.”
Stuart Thornton, M Thonrton Engineering Ltd, Precision and Production Engineers, Huddersfield
Independently funded
CKMA is first and foremost a member-led organisation. Our core operations are wholly funded by our members and a select range of sponsors whom we are proud to have a close working relationship with. This independence gives us the scope to truly represent the voice of manufacturers to policy makers and the wider business community.
We welcome enquiries from prospective sponsors and ideas from current sponsors about how to engage with us to deliver our shared vision of a strong and healthy manufacturing sector in our area.
“We at CKMA are blessed to be working with specialists like E3 Recruitment whose passion and focus on engineering recruitment and skills reflect very closely solutions to the challenges our manufacturing members face. It’s particularly helpful to the sector as a whole for us to work with sponsors who share our values and go above and beyond a simple transactional relationship. By doing this, we can make a bigger impact on the issues facing the sector together.”
Neil Kendall, Chair, CKMA
News
Distinction Consulting: The Power of the CKMA Network in Action
Overview One of the key strengths of the CKMA network is its ability to connect manufacturing businesses with like-minded organisations, industry specialists, and trusted sponsors who can help them move their businesses forward. This case study highlights how this is demonstrated in practice through recent work by one of our sponsors – Distinction Consulting – with Witt UK Group (a CKMA member) and Abbey Attachments, both family-owned manufacturing businesses benefiting from external strategic support. It reflects the real value of collaboration, shared insight, and specialist expertise within the network. About Distinction Consulting Distinction Consulting is a CKMA sponsor working with leadership teams to create clarity, alignment, and strategic direction within complex organisations. Their work focuses on helping businesses step back from internal assumptions and operational noise to understand how they are truly perceived in the market. Through structured customer insight, stakeholder engagement, and leadership workshops, they help organisations identify the gap between internal perspective and external reality and translate that into clearer strategic decision-making. Within the CKMA network, Distinction Consulting support members in strengthening positioning, improving alignment at leadership level, and building more confident, evidence-led growth strategies. The Context Both businesses are long-established, family-owned manufacturers operating within complex industrial and engineering sectors. Witt UK Group operates across multiple trading entities delivering ventilation and smoke control solutions in safety-critical environments. Abbey Attachments is a second-generation business in the material handling sector with strong technical capability and customer loyalty. Despite their strengths, both organisations were facing similar challenges: A lack of clear strategic direction Limited alignment across leadership teams A need to better understand how they were perceived in the market A desire to move from operational focus to future growth clarity The Approach Through their involvement in the CKMA network, both businesses were introduced to Distinction Consulting, a CKMA sponsor specialising in strategic insight and business positioning. Rather than jumping straight into solutions, their approach focused on understanding the reality of each business from both an internal and external perspective. This included: Structured conversations with customers, lapsed customers, and stakeholders Internal leadership discussions Analysis of how each business described itself versus how it was experienced in the market Key Insights Across both engagements, a consistent theme emerged: Businesses were largely describing themselves from the inside out, shaped by history, structure, and technical capability – rather than from the perspective of customer value. For Witt UK Group: The real value was not just in the systems they manufactured, but in the confidence, safety, and peace of mind those systems delivered in critical environments. For Abbey Attachments: The business needed greater alignment between internal perception and external reality, uncovering the need for clearer strategic direction grounded in customer insight. The Outcome While the challenges were different, the outcome for both organisations was similar: Greater strategic clarity A shared understanding of customer value Improved leadership alignment A stronger foundation for future decision-making Most importantly, both businesses gained a clearer view of what truly differentiates them in their respective markets. Why This Matters for CKMA Members This is a strong example of how the CKMA network creates value beyond events and introductions. By connecting members with trusted specialists and like-minded businesses, CKMA enables: Access to expertise that drives real business clarity Collaboration between manufacturers and industry professionals Opportunities to step back and rethink strategic direction For members, it’s a reminder that value often comes from the conversations and connections happening within the network itself. If you’d like to join as a member or discuss sponsorship opportunities, visit our ‘join us’ page.
May 5, 2026
Explore the CKMA Events Programme – Now on Eventbrite
CKMA events consistently receive great feedback for being practical, engaging, and refreshingly different from the usual networking fare. What sets them apart? Every event is designed specifically for manufacturers – with real-world insights, behind-the-scenes access, and open conversations at the heart of the programme. Whether it’s a factory tour, peer learning session, expert briefing or industry roundtable, attendees value the chance to connect with like-minded professionals and take away ideas they can actually use. It’s not just networking – it’s about learning, sharing, and moving the sector forward together. If you’re new to CKMA, attending an event is a great way to see what we’re all about. Many of our regular members first got involved by coming along to a session and finding real value in what we do. What can you expect to take away? Plenty. From practical ideas to improve your own operations, to new business connections that could lead to collaboration, customers, or supply chain partners. Many attendees also find it useful as a benchmarking opportunity – seeing how others work can spark improvements at home. And you’ll meet people who can point you toward funding, support programmes, and specialist advice when you need it. Visit the CKMA Events Page on Eventbrite Most of our events are free to attend and open to manufacturers of all sizes across Calderdale and Kirklees. They’re a great way to build connections, share experiences, and discover practical ideas to drive your business forward. Got an idea for a future event or want to host a visit? Get in touch – we’re always keen to hear from members and local partners. Contact us via our website to suggest an event, explore membership, or find out more about how we can support your business.
July 29, 2025
Lancereal gears up for growth with senior financial appointment
Following a management buyout and significant investment in growth and development at the end of 2024, Lancereal, a leading powertrain solutions provider and systems integrator has appointed a Financial Controller to accelerate its growth. Victoria Wetherill, who has a first-class degree in Accountancy and Finance from the University of Huddersfield, gained her ACCA qualification offered by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants whilst working in an accountancy practice. With more than nine years of experience, Victoria has held positions within industry and has managed a finance department – overseeing the full finance function across the business. It is this experience that she brings to the role at Lancereal where she will be bring in new policies to enable the company to thrive in new and existing markets. Her expertise and strategic outlook will benefit the company in this new role, as it navigates growth through financial processes, diligence in financial reporting and production efficiencies. Victoria Wetherill, Financial Controller at Lancereal commented: “Working in an owner managed business, where I can work hands-on with a small team is really exciting. I have been able to take ownership of financial leadership across the business and promote Lancereal’s values, whilst overseeing all aspects of the finance function – which will ultimately enable the company to thrive. I am enjoying the variation of the role and being part of the team. The team has been so welcoming, and I can see this as a place I will grow too.” Laura Hampson, Managing Director at Lancereal added: “We took our time in our approach to hiring a Financial Controller as it is a new role for the business and we wanted to ensure the post was filled by someone who can steer our growth with experience but also by embodying our values. Victoria is a perfect match for us. She’s fitted in so well with the team and her industry experience and wealth of knowledge across financial disciplines is a real boon for the business. As we round off our first year following last year’s MBO we have worked with Victoria to put new policies in place to support our growth plans and I’m excited by what she can bring to the team and what it will mean for the business.” The appointment demonstrates Lancereal’s commitment to sustainable growth in innovating industries through the supply of world class components and specialist services in engineering powertrain products and systems. For more information, please visit www.lancereal.com.
July 15, 2025
How to Get the Most from Your CKMA Membership
Being a member of CKMA – the Calderdale & Kirklees Manufacturing Alliance – means more than just joining a network. It’s about being part of a grassroots movement that brings manufacturers together to support one another, raise their collective voice, and strengthen the regional economy. But like any network, the more you put in, the more you get out. Here’s a quick guide to making your CKMA membership work harder for you: Keep Your Profile Up to Date Whether you’re a member or a sponsor, your business profile on the CKMA website is one of the easiest ways to be found by fellow members, collaborators, and local partners. Think of it as a free listing in a trusted regional supply chain directory – so keep it fresh with your latest capabilities, key contacts, and specialisms. Share Your News and Wins Won a new contract? Hiring? Got a new machine or launching a service? Let us know. We’re always keen to spotlight member successes through our blog, email updates, and LinkedIn presence. These posts get great engagement – not just from members but from local stakeholders and potential customers too – and our new strategic marketing partners Northern Media are helping us supercharge member news, so make the most of this opportunity. Join Us at Events CKMA runs regular breakfast briefings, factory tours, and networking sessions – low-pressure, high-value gatherings where you can meet fellow manufacturers, hear from local leaders, and explore shared challenges and opportunities. They’re not just social – they often lead to introductions, ideas, and new collaborations, just ask members who come. All of our events are published on our Eventbrite Page. Ask for an Intro Looking to connect with another manufacturer, supplier, or supporter in the region? CKMA can help. We’re happy to make warm introductions within the network – just reach out. Let’s Talk Strategy We regularly speak with members to understand what’s important to their business – and how CKMA can support them. Whether that’s talent, funding, visibility, skills, or lobbying for change, we’re here to listen and act. If you haven’t had a check-in recently, just ask. Step Up Your Involvement Some members want to go further. CKMA’s curated sponsorship programme offers opportunities to raise your brand, support the network, and align yourself with local manufacturing leadership. You can also contribute by speaking at events, mentoring others, or simply volunteering time and ideas to help the community thrive. Use the Badge All members and sponsors receive a CKMA Member logo – display it proudly on your website, email signature or marketing materials. It shows your commitment to supporting manufacturing in Calderdale and Kirklees – and that you’re part of something bigger. A bit more old school? We’ll send you one of our CKMA window stickers for your reception or vehicle! Stay Connected Follow CKMA on LinkedIn, engage with our posts, and tag us when sharing your own updates. It’s an easy way to grow your visibility and stay informed about what’s going on across the region. It Starts with You CKMA is built by manufacturers, for manufacturers. Your ideas, input and engagement shape what the Alliance becomes. So whether you’re here to network, collaborate, learn or lead – make the most of it. Got questions or want to talk about how we can support you more? Drop us a quick note using our contact form #strongertogether
July 11, 2025