September 2021

P PMA Show 2021 is one of the first to take place at the NEC since the pandemic started. The event will be welcome news for show-goers and industry influencers alike within the UK manufacturing sector. The show organisers had conducted surveys which Richard Little, show director for the PPMA Group of Associations, said indicated there was an overwhelming consensus among those within the industry is that they want to see the return of live events, particularly in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. He added: “These sectors generate over half the visitors, many of whom have been working flat out to support the critical supply chain during the Coronavirus pandemic, and subsequently have a keen interest in the latest machinery and equipment. “As an event organiser, we will now be working closely with the NEC to ensure that the necessary Covid-19 controls are in place, without compromising the overall event experience. This could mean some alternations to the omnidirectional floorplan and onsite 14 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk September 2021 PPMA Preview With just a few weeks to go until PPMA Show 2021 returns to the NEC, Birmingham (28-30 September 2021), its exhibitors are eager to showcase their latest innovations bringing efficiency to your production line. PWE reports. PPMA show returns catering provisions, but it will remain a large- scale exhibition.” This year’s FREE-to-attend Show will house in- excess of over 350 exhibitors, comprising more than 1700 brands, from the UK and parts of Europe. Since the Show’s inception in 1988, the PPMA Show is now widely accepted as being the most important and influential industry event in the calendar for key decision-makers and purchasers from the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sector. This has recently been extended to building materials and suppliers, pet care, micro- breweries and distilleries, contract packers, tobacco and vaping industries. PPMA shows have always attracted high-end speakers and big-name brands to its Conference area, and this year’s three-day event is no different. Prominent industry representatives from Iceland Foods and Scottish brewer and social enterprise Brewgooder have already pledged their support and commitment to speak on 28-29 September. In addition, new for this year is a new feature with a series of Virtual Talking Heads - inspirational, influential and topical mini talks in video format from key figures in the processing and packaging machinery industry. These short videos will be shown on PPMA TV during the Show for visitors and exhibitors alike to watch on the big screens around the hall. Presentations include 3D Printing Advances in Packaging Machinery; Road to Net Zero; Cobots and the Capacity Dilemma; Food Security Economics and the Impact of Price Hikes, and Choosing the Right Filling Technology to Reduce Product Waste. The registration portal for PPMA Show 2021 is now open for new registrants to apply for their complimentary visitor pass. Please visit: https://ppmashow2021.reg.buzz/ This image was taken prior to the pandemic