The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics show returns in February under new management, but long-term attendees will be glad to learn that the defining characteristics of the show have been retained, maintaining the versatility of exhibitors. Read on for a wealth of reasons to save the dates.
The well-publicised skills shortage in the UK is fuelling an increase in the adoption of automated manufacturing solutions across industry. It will be a prominent theme at the forthcoming Southern Manufacturing & Electronics show, which will open its doors from 4th to 6th February 2025. It moved to its present location in 2008 and was the first event to be held in the world-class Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre when it was built in 2018.
The show returns under different ownership and management, having been bought earlier this year by specialist exhibition company Easyfairs, which runs more than 100 events across Europe. The new organisers say that early stand bookings and visitor registrations suggest that the show will be the biggest yet.
The event is divided approximately equally between mechanical engineering and the electrical/electronic sector. However, there is no physical separation between the stands, allowing cross-over between the different disciplines. Visitors say this is a defining feature of the show, as it often results in the discovery of products and services not on their original shopping list.
SM&E appeals to all sectors of industry thanks to the incredible range of suppliers taking part. It is the ideal place to see the latest production machinery and hardware in action, and meet suppliers from across the UK, continental Europe and beyond.
The comprehensive exhibitor profile covers virtually every aspect of engineering, from mechanical, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic components and assemblies to PCBs, connectors, sensors, drives and encoders, and on to fasteners, pressings, springs, mouldings, castings and more. High-technology production cells with Industry 4.0 interconnectivity, 3D printing, test and inspection systems, metrology equipment, business and manufacturing software, and a wide range of subcontract services will also be well represented.
Other offerings include controls, displays, human-machine interfaces, data acquisition systems, virtual reality, robotic machine tending and additional automation solutions. Items for day-to-day business operations will include workshop essentials, dust and fume extraction, humidity control, workplace storage systems, bespoke case and foam manufacture, plastic packaging, hand tools, waste removal and recycling, training and financial consultancy.
Although SM&E is an important event that attracts big-name manufacturers, it is also very accessible to small and medium size enterprises. Easyfairs stresses that it will continue to operate the current policy of open access, which discourages larger firms from dominating the space to the detriment of smaller vendors. The exhibitor mix has given the show a unique, vibrant atmosphere that is unlike that of similar exhibitions. Testament to this, and to the effectiveness of the show as a business forum, is the very high rate of return bookings. A large percentage of participants are regular returnees and many have been with the show since it started in 1997.
Over the three days, there will be a series of free technical seminar programmes to give visitors and exhibitors alike valuable learning opportunities, with a particular focus on the technical, managerial and environmental issues facing manufacturers today. As usual, the specialist AutoAero theme, devoted to aerospace and automotive engineering, will add extra value for people involved in those sectors.
There is ample free car parking and the site is well served by road and public transport links. A regular, complimentary bus service runs between Farnborough’s two railway stations and the showground. Admission to the exhibition is also free.
