12 | Plant & Works Engineering www.pwemag.co.uk April/May 2026 Smart Manufacturing Week/Maintec Preview These issues will form the basis of Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), which returns to the NEC Birmingham on 3-4 June 2026 for its fifth edition. Commenting on the show’s previous edition, returning exhibitor Daniela David, Field Marketing Specialist at IFS Ultimo, said: “In my view, industry events are more than just leadgeneration opportunities. The energy and synergy before and during the event are the real drivers of success. For me, it’s the collaboration, the engagement, the learning, and the exchange of valuable insights that are the true gold. Maintec, as part of Smart Manufacturing Week, was exactly that.” Structuring around sector priorities The 2026 programme is organised around five strategic pillars: Digital Transformation Sustainability and Circular Economy Supply Chain Resilience Innovation and Smart Technologies Workforce and Skills The framework reflects ongoing external pressures, including tariffs, geopolitical Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 to address sector-wide transformation challenges The UK manufacturing sector continues to operate under increasing pressure from digitalisation, supply chain instability and the transition to Net Zero. For many organisations, the priority is no longer identifying these challenges but determining how to respond in a structured and commercially viable way. PWE reports. uncertainty and energy costs, all of which continue to affect supply chain stability. In this context, manufacturers are being required to strengthen risk awareness, improve responsiveness and maintain continuity while meeting customer expectations. Alongside these operational challenges, the sector continues to face a skills shortage. An ageing workforce and persistent misconceptions about manufacturing careers are contributing factors. As a result, many organisations are placing greater emphasis on upskilling, training and building more diverse, future-ready teams. Technical content and applied insight The event will feature more than 170 free-toattend sessions delivered across eight Solution Theatres. The programme is designed to focus on implementation and application, rather than high-level discussion. Key topics include: AI-driven productivity and machine learning applications The deployment and practical value of digital twins Strategies for Net Zero manufacturing Workforce transformation and skill development in the automation era By focusing on applied technologies and operational outcomes, the sessions are intended to provide attendees with insights that can be directly translated into practice. Co-located events across the manufacturing lifecycle Smart Manufacturing Week brings together six co-located events: Smart Factory Drives & Controls Maintec Design & Engineering The Manufacturer Top 100 Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit This structure reflects the interconnection between different stages of manufacturing, from design through to maintenance. For example, the performance of a smart factory is closely linked to the maintenance and asset management strategies associated with Maintec. The Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit is expected to attract senior representatives from organisations including AstraZeneca, RollsRoyce, Jaguar Land Rover, Airbus and Atlas Copco. In 2025, the event welcomed more than 13,500 attendees from across manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors. Chris Allen, Marketing Manager of Smart Manufacturing Week, noted the event’s unique value in the market: “Smart Manufacturing Week is the one moment each year where our whole industry comes together - not just to showcase technology, but to share ideas, solve problems and genuinely connect. It’s a place where conversations spark innovations.” New features for 2026 The 2026 edition will introduce new features aimed at increasing engagement. One addition is Fight Fest, a robotics competition located within the Drives & Controls section and hosted
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