Tokamak Energy, the UK’s leading fusion technology company, has strengthened its manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of Ridgway Machines, a specialist engineering firm based in Leicester.
The move will accelerate the growth of TE Magnetics, Tokamak Energy’s high temperature superconducting (HTS) division, launched in September 2024. Ridgway Machines will continue to operate under its existing brand, with its skilled workforce and facilities remaining unchanged.
Established in 1920, the company is known for its expertise in developing machinery for winding and insulating superconducting magnets and cables—technology that will be central to scaling up TE Magnetics’ UK manufacturing and delivering products for a range of industries.
HTS materials, which conduct electricity with almost no power loss, are key to the next generation of energy-producing fusion devices.
When engineered into magnets, they generate exceptionally strong and stable magnetic fields in compact, lightweight systems, enabling advances not only in fusion but also in renewable energy, aviation, science and medical applications.
Warrick Matthews, CEO of Tokamak Energy, said:
“Since launching the TE Magnetics brand, we have been successful in securing contracts for a range of HTS products and it is now time to scale up.
“The acquisition of Ridgway Machines, a thriving business with a highly skilled workforce, will accelerate TE Magnetics’ manufacturing method development to deliver high quality products at scale.”
Andy Glanville, Managing Director of Ridgway Machines, added:
“Throughout our hundred-year history, Ridgway has always been forward looking. In Tokamak Energy, we’re proud to be joining one of the UK’s most exciting technology businesses and to play our part in their ambitious and transformative plans.”
Tokamak Energy has been pioneering HTS magnet development since 2012, building advanced techniques in winding, testing and production that are now being applied beyond fusion to power distribution, manufacturing, and propulsion on land, sea, air and space.
The acquisition marks an important milestone in Tokamak Energy’s mission to commercialise clean, limitless fusion energy while also unlocking new industrial applications of superconducting technology.
By combining Ridgway’s specialist engineering heritage with TE Magnetics’ innovation, the partnership aims to deliver breakthroughs in performance, efficiency and accessibility across multiple sectors.
