45 www.drivesncontrols.com January 2025 SOUTHERN MANUFACTURING PREVIEW n Advanced technologies from across the mechanical engineering and electrical/electronic sectors, in roughly equal measure, is expected to draw more than 9,000 visitors through the doors of the Southern Manufacturing & Electronics trade fair when it takes place from 4–6 February at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre. The show’s new owner, Easyfairs, says that a particularly high level of interest this year from companies not just from the UK and Ireland, but also from abroad, indicates that the event will be a sell-out, with more than 500 stands expected to be booked for the first time. The larger number of exhibitors will create an even more dynamic and informative environment, allowing attendees to explore a greater variety of products and services. Southern Manufacturing & Electronics moved to the Farnborough site in 2008 and was the first to be held in the new Farnborough centre when it was built a decade later. Since the show’s inauguration in 1997, it has grown from a small, regional gathering of engineering firms into one of global significance. The exhibition attracts multinational firms, but is also accessible to engineering SMEs. It operates an open access policy that discourages larger companies from dominating the exhibition hall to the detriment of smaller vendors. Easyfairs says that it intends to maintain the intimate lookand-feel of the event, which it describes as “a defining quality that gives it a unique, vibrant atmosphere fostering collaboration, learning and discovery”. Testament to its effectiveness is the high rate of re-bookings, the organiser adds. There will be an abundance of new engineering technologies at the exhibition, making it attractive for anyone involved in design, manufacture, procurement, training or management, wanting to research and source multiple products and services efficiently. There are no barriers between areas in the hall, allowing easy cross-over between different disciplines. Technology Trails grouping firms with expertise in particular areas help to guide visitors around the venue. This year's show will reflect the ongoing growth in the digitalisation of production, as well as an increase in Industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies. There will be an emphasis on reshoring of production, plus new ecological technologies such as green energy production and energy-saving machinery. Robotics and other forms of autonomous machinery will feature strongly in both the mechanical engineering and electronics areas of the show, driven by the skills shortage in Britain and across Europe. Additive manufacturing continues its progress towards becoming a mainstream production technique and there will be a plethora of companies offering equipment, consumables and bureau services. Also on show will be PCB design, boxbuilding services, and other contract electronics manufacturing, cables, connectors, mechatronics assembly, electromechanical systems, the latest in machine tools, tooling, work-holding and other production hardware, as well as subcontractors offering a variety of mechanical engineering services. Testing, inspection and measurement serving all industry sectors will be on show, as will production planning systems, engineering and business software, materials and consumables. Suppliers of plastic injection and rubber mouldings will be there, alongside companies specialising in controls, displays, HMIs, data acquisition systems, sensors, drives, encoders, fasteners, pressings, wire forms, springs and gaskets. Over the three days of the show, visitors will be able to take advantage of free technical seminars covering a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on the technical, managerial and environmental issues facing manufacturers today. Southern Manufacturing & Electronics will be colocated with AutoAero, a specialist thread that runs through the main programme, focusing on matters of importance to the automotive and aerospace engineering sectors. Admission to the exhibition is free. Attendees who sign up now are guaranteed to receive an advance copy of the printed preview guide. n The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition returns to its Farnborough venue next month. This show – the first under its new owner, Easyfairs – is expected to attract more than 500 exhibitors for the first time. Southern returns under new ownership SHOWFACTS Where: Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, Hampshire When: 4–6 February, 2025 Entry: Free (register on Web site) Parking: Free Shuttle buses: Free to/from Farnborough Main and North Camp rail stations Website: www.industrysouth.co.uk X: @industry_co_uk LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/2500035
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