Ridgway Machines has appointed Mike Allen as managing director, adding an industrial manufacturing executive as the Tokamak Energy subsidiary increases its focus on high-temperature superconducting (HTS) production equipment.
Allen joins Ridgway from TT Electronics, where he held a senior leadership role. Allen served in managing director positions at Dynamic Aerospace Fabrications and Pattonair. Before that, he spent 31 years at Rolls-Royce, including as of operations director.
Warrick Matthews, Tokamak Energy CEO, said: “Ridgway plays an important role in providing specialist machines to industry. It has a growing customer base which will see it expand significantly over the next few years. In addition, Ridgway and TE Magnetics create a very powerful combination to accelerate and industrialize our leading HTS technologies, delivering breakthroughs in a wide range of industries. I am very pleased to see Mike join the business at such a pivotal time to lead this new phase of growth.”
Mike said: “I’m delighted to join Ridgway and the Tokamak Energy family as we work together to accelerate the industrialization and unlock the full potential of HTS. Ridgway has the expertise and experience to transition HTS technology into large‑scale manufacturing, delivering innovative solutions and addressing critical challenges the world is facing both today and tomorrow.”
HTS materials carry electricity with very low power loss and are used in fusion systems and high-power infrastructure. In magnet applications, HTS materials generate stable magnetic fields in compact, lightweight systems and are used in fusion devices, electric aircraft systems, and analytical equipment. HTS materials are also used in power distribution for high-load environments such as AI data centers, where conventional systems face constraints related to size, weight, heat at high currents, and efficiency at high power levels.
Tokamak Energy CEO Warrick Matthews said Ridgway Machines is expected to expand as its customer base grows and as its work with TE Magnetics progresses. Allen said the company’s engineering capability supports the transition of HTS technologies into larger-scale manufacturing.
Source: Tokamak Energy
About Tokamak Energy
Tokamak Energy, founded in 2009 as a spin-off from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, is a private company headquartered in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, UK. Specializing in the development of compact spherical tokamaks and high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, the company aims to deliver commercially viable fusion energy solutions. Serving industries focused on clean energy and advanced scientific research, Tokamak Energy has achieved significant milestones, including operating the ST40 tokamak, that reached plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius in 2022. In addition to its fusion energy endeavors, the company collaborates on projects utilizing HTS magnet technology for various applications, such as silent marine propulsion systems. Tokamak Energy employs over 260 individuals. The company has raised substantial funding, including $250 million by 2022, to support its R&D efforts.
About Ridgway Machines
Ridgway Machines, founded in 1920 and based in Leicester, UK, develops winding and insulating solutions for superconducting magnets and cables, supporting TE Magnetics in scaling UK manufacturing for commercial production across multiple industries. The company designs and manufactures precision taping and winding machines for sectors including electrical, energy, oil and gas, subsea, and aerospace. Its portfolio includes conductor and cable taping systems, coil winding equipment, reinforced thermoplastic and composite pipe manufacturing lines, and machines for superconductor and nuclear power applications. Ridgway offers complete services from design and production to installation and support.