42 n SMW PREVIEW May 2026 www.drivesncontrols.com What’s new at Smart Manufacturing Week 2026? Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), which returns to the NEC next month, brings together a powerful line-up of events, including Drives & Controls, Smart Factory Expo, Maintec and the Design + Engineering Expo, as well as the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. Last year, SMW welcomed 13,500 manufacturers, engineers, designers, maintenance professionals and technology providers from every vertical sector. The UK manufacturing sector stands at a critical juncture, navigating the demands of digital transformation, supply chain resilience and the push towards net-zero. Finding strategies to balance these priorities is a key challenge facing industry leaders today, and SMW will help them to do this. SMW never stands still and, along with all the popular features from its past, 2026 will see a host of new additions. “Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 is all about bringing the future of advanced manufacturing and engineering to life,” says event director, Grace Gilling. “This year, we’re introducing brand-new features designed to showcase the very best the industry has to offer.”These include: Fight Fest by AccuBots A robot fighting competition that will take place on the AccuBots stand in the Drives & Controls section of the show over both days of the show. This high-energy contest is aligned with automation and robotics – core themes of the event. Designed to encourage engagement and hands-on experience in engineering, the competition will see students from across the UK taking part with custom-made robots, alongside professional teams. Fight Fest showcases the need to engage and develop the next generation of engineers who must be proficient in mechanical design, programming and prototyping to meet the demands of smart factories of the future. Expanded Ambassador programme The Ambassador programme will be expanded for 2026, offering exclusive networking time for individuals passionate about driving change to connect, collaborate and tackle today’s most pressing challenges. SMW will also provide a networking platform for arranging 1-2-1 meetings. Supported by additional matchmaking services and on-site assistance, this tool aims to overcome the challenge of finding the most relevant contacts at a large trade show. Event app A brand-new event app will help you discover, network and plan your visit, bringing a new way to enjoy the event, straight to your pocket. The app includes: n An interactive event schedule where you can browse sessions, keynotes and workshops, and create a personalised agenda. n An exhibitor directory and apps, allowing you to locate exhibitors quickly, access company profiles, and find your way using interactive floor plans. n Live notifications and updates, keeping Smart Manufacturing Week – the UK’s largest annual celebration of the manufacturing and engineering sectors – returns to the NEC in Birmingham next month. We take a look at some fresh features for 2026, as well as some familiar aspects that are returning.
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