44 n SMART MANUFACTURING WEEK February 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com From shopfloor hacks to future trends The Birmingham NEC will once again play host to Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), the UK’s largest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering, from 4–5 June 2025. SMW brings together a lineup of events including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls, Design + Engineering Expo, and the Air-Tech and Fluid Power and Systems zones. Building on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted 13,500 visitors as well as more than 450 exhibitors and 200 speakers, SMW 2025 is poised to deliver an even bigger and more ambitious event, with more international manufacturers and engineers expected to visit. Emphasising the “must see”nature of the event is the presence of exhibitors such as Schneider Electric, Fanuc UK, 3M, Epicor, Binder UK, Cembre, Ericsson, Homann Group and ifm electronic. As well as the big players, there will be cutting-edge start-ups and innovative small businesses. At the heart of Smart Factory Expo, Innovation Alley will highlight emerging manufacturing technologies with exhibitors in four categories: People, focusing on well-being, workforce management, recruitment, training and skills; Product, which centres in on design, R&D and materials; Process, which includes productivity, resilience, supply chain and AI; and Planet, which encompasses net-zero, sustainability and energy management. The 2025 event will provide opportunities to meet start-ups and early-stage companies and their founders, uncovering transformative technologies that promise to shape the future of manufacturing. Visitor Trails will oer an exciting way to explore the show oor, guiding attendees to the most relevant exhibitors and must-see presentations. These curated pathways make it easy to navigate the show and ensure visitors won’t miss out on what’s important. A free educational programme encompasses seven theatres dedicated to topics including: Digital Transformation; Industrial Data & AI; IIoT & Connectivity; Design & Innovation; Automation & Robotics; Leadership & Strategy; and Maintenance. New this year is the Technology Showcase Theatre, where visitors can see and experience an array of cutting-edge innovations. This theatre, oering a glimpse into future developments and prototypes, will cover everything from advanced robotics to wearable technologies. SMW 2025 will continue its commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers and manufacturers through its dedicated STEM Programme, sponsored by Fanuc. Now extended to include school-year students, as well as those in further education, hundreds of students and apprentices will have the chance to interact with industry experts, oering a hands-on introduction to the exciting world of advanced manufacturing and engineering. As in previous years, 2025 will also play host to several satellite events, such as The Manufacturer Top 100 Awards and the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. This twoday conference attracts many of the UK’s top manufacturers, and focuses on the application of digital technologies to enhance processes and e¢ciency in the manufacturing sector. The Guitar Legends competition will return, with a 3D-printed guitar being awarded to the winner. For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, this year’s event introduces a new feature, called Smart Tank. Designed to inspire and empower budding innovators, this platform invites entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas and product concepts to a panel of experts. Smart Manufacturing Week continues to prioritise sustainability, returning as a carbonneutral event in 2025. In collaboration with Forest Nation, the organisers have pledged to plant one tree for every attendee – a practice introduced in 2023 that has helped reduce the event’s environmental impact while supporting global reforestation eorts. "Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 is laserfocused on the visitor experience while ensuring exhibitors have the best opportunity to connect with their target customer base,” says MD, Grace Gilling. “We create a festivaltype atmosphere that is entertaining as well as a fantastic opportunity to connect businesses, encourage innovation, and create a platform for industry-shaping conversations.” Other exhibitions taking place at the NEC at the same time as SMW include Automechanika, Med-Tech Innovation Expo, TCT 3Sixty and Subcon. One badge will provide access to all events. n Smart Manufacturing Week returns to the NEC in June with new attractions as well a familiar favourites. For example, a new Technology Showcase Theatre will o er a glimpse into future developments and prototypes, from advanced robotics to wearable technologies. SHOW FACTS Where: NEC, Birmingham When: Wednesday, 4 June, 09.30-17.00 Thursday, 6 June, 0.930-16.00 Entry: Free. Register at https://bit.ly/4iy8LxT Web site: www.smartmanufacturingweek.com X: https://twitter.com/SmartMWeek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/smar t-manufacturing-engineering-week Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartmanufa cturingweek
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