10 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk June/July 2025 Insight More than just a showcase of products and services, the event was defined by its ambition to push the boundaries of what a manufacturing exhibition can deliver. With a focus on rich technical content, forward-looking innovation, and the sector’s most pressing priorities, Smart Manufacturing Week offered a comprehensive platform for learning, collaboration and inspiration. Welcoming 13,319 attendees across two days, the event combined impressive technology with an extensive educational programme and a vibrant show floor. Adding extra flair were celebrity look-a-likes, movie Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 showcases innovation, collaboration and industry impact Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 returned to the NEC Birmingham on 4–5 June. Bringing together Smart Factory Expo, Design & Engineering Expo, Drives & Controls, and Maintec— alongside specialist zones for Fluid Power & Systems and Air-Tech—the event offered wide-ranging insight into the technologies and trends shaping modern industry. PWE reports. robots, and live music, creating a dynamic atmosphere that celebrated innovation and industry. With 456 exhibitors on the show floor, attendees explored hundreds of cutting-edge products and innovative solutions driving the future of industry. Solutions Theatres Alongside the exhibition floor, the Solutions Theatres delivered over 170 free-to-attend educational sessions led by experts in manufacturing and technology. Covering key themes such as Industrial Data & AI, IIoT & Connectivity, Digital Transformation and Leadership and Strategy, the programme offered valuable insights for professionals at every level. Attendees also benefited from practical workshops hosted by the Institute for Manufacturing and explored the latest advancements showcased in the ever-popular Innovation Alley. A brand-new feature for 2025, Smart Tank took place on Day 1. Exhibitors from Innovation Alley pitched their business ideas and solutions to a panel of industry leaders, who scored entries based on criteria ranging from innovation to market size to business readiness. Two sessions ran, with a winner crowned from each. Uie impressed the judges with the simple
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