The UK government has approved Walsin Lihwa Europe’s acquisition of Advanced Manufacturing (Sheffield) Ltd (AML), subject to national security conditions.
Walsin Lihwa, a Taiwan-based industrial conglomerate, will acquire a 38.8% stake in AML, a Rotherham-based precision engineering firm specialising in aerospace, defence, and energy components. AML, originating from the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, counts Rolls-Royce and Siemens Energy among its clients and won the King’s Award for Enterprise Innovation in 2024.
Government approval follows a national security assessment due to AML’s gas turbine engine components work. Conditions include operational restrictions on AML’s precision engineering capabilities, requirements to retain key operations in the UK, and appointing a Chief Security Officer to oversee compliance.
Walsin Lihwa, which operates in wire and cable, stainless steel, and renewable energy, acquired Sheffield-based Special Melted Products Ltd. in 2023 through its subsidiary, Cogne Acciai Speciali S.p.A.
