Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 has officially concluded, marking the most successful edition in the event’s history. Reflecting the accelerating pace of industrial digitalisation and automation, this year’s show welcomed 13,405 visitors, reinforcing its position as the UK’s leading event for advanced manufacturing and engineering.
The quality of attendance continued to rise, with purchasing power increasing from 78 per cent to 81 per cent of visitors. Engagement levels also reached new heights, with a record 871 meetings booked through the event app, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and business growth.
Across two days, attendees explored the latest innovations from 437 exhibitors showcasing technologies spanning robotics, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and sustainable manufacturing.
A major feature of this year’s event was the partnership with Alibaba.com as Official Agentic Business Partner. The company showcased Accio Work, its agentic AI platform, alongside a bespoke Event Edition Agent developed exclusively for Smart Manufacturing Week.
“Addressing the real challenges facing industry is at the core of what we do at The Manufacturer and Smart Manufacturing Week,” said Grace Gilling, Managing Director of Hennik Research, part of Nineteen Group. “This year’s event was a powerful reflection of that purpose in action, with a vibrant show floor full of meaningful conversations, new connections and fresh ideas.”
Beyond the technology on display, Smart Manufacturing Week delivered a festival-style atmosphere unlike any other industrial event. Visitors were greeted by mariachi musicians, mirror-suited performers and an all-day DJ, while the hugely popular Accu Fight Fest robot battles drew crowds throughout the show.
The event’s extensive conference programme also attracted packed audiences. One standout session featured a panel chaired by Chris Dungey, the government-appointed National AI Champion for Advanced Manufacturing, exploring how manufacturers can move from AI ambition to implementation.
Elsewhere, speakers shared practical insights on innovation, automation and data-driven manufacturing. Gareth Knopp of Bucher Municipal highlighted how simulation and AI are transforming product development, while Fine Lady Bakeries’ Kayode Adisa explored the importance of effective data flow and automation strategies.
Supporting the next generation of talent remained a key priority. The STEM Showcase featured apprentices from Rolls-Royce, Festo and Balmoral Tanks sharing their experiences, while organisations including Stemettes, The Smallpeice Trust, The Engineering Trust and STEM on Track engaged directly with students considering careers in engineering and manufacturing.
Networking and collaboration remained central to the event. Initiatives such as the SMMT Meet the Buyer Programme strengthened supply chain connections, while the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit attracted 232 senior industry leaders to discuss the practical implementation of digital technologies.
“We keep coming back to this show because we see it getting bigger and bigger. And we see the buzz around UK manufacturing.” Phil Lewis, Senior Vice President, Infor.
Smart Manufacturing Week returns to the NEC Birmingham on 9–10 June 2027, where visitors can look forward to an expanded Factory of the Future immersive demonstrator developed in partnership with AMIC. If 2026 proved anything, it is that the future of manufacturing is already taking shape.
