The NEC Birmingham will once again play host to Smart Manufacturing Week, the UK’s largest manufacturing and engineering exhibition on 4–5 June 2025. Read on for what to expect from this year’s unmissable show.
Smart Manufacturing Week brings together a powerful lineup including Smart Factory Expo, Drives & Controls, Maintec, Design + Engineering Expo, and the Air-Tech, Fluid Power and Systems zones.
The show’s educational programme comprises seven Solutions Theatres covering Digital Transformation, Industrial Data & AI, IIoT & Connectivity, Design & Innovation, Automation & Robotics, Leadership & Strategy and Maintenance. Each of these theatres will deliver practical, actionable insights that manufacturers can apply directly to improve their operations.
A session visitors should be sure not to miss will be delivered by the ‘Godfather of Industry 4.0’, Professor Henrik von Scheel. His talk, The Future of Manufacturing: Megatrends that Shape the Next Decade, will examine the forces that will dominate the manufacturing landscape in the years ahead, including smart automation, AI integration and the evolving dynamics of the workforce. It’s an essential part of a visit for those looking to stay ahead in the fast-evolving manufacturing landscape.
In addition, the event will continue its commitment to inspiring the next generation through its STEM Programme – Manufacturers & Engineers of the Future, sponsored by FANUC. Now extended to include school year students, as well as those in further education, hundreds of students and apprentices will have the chance to interact directly with industry experts, offering a hands-on introduction to the exciting world of advanced manufacturing and engineering. As part of the programme, visitors can also witness the FANUC WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics Competition qualifier.
Emphasising the ‘industry under one roof’ nature of the event is the presence of prominent exhibitors including Schneider Electric, FANUC UK, 3M, Epicor, Binder UK, Cembre, Charter Controls, Ericsson, Hoffmann Group, and ifm Electronic. Alongside other big names, the exhibition floor will showcase the most influential players in industry.
Amongst these giant players are the startups and innovative small businesses set to revolutionise the sector. Part of Smart Factory Expo, ‘Innovation Alley’ will feature emerging manufacturing technologies from early-stage businesses, providing an opportunity to source the transformative technologies that promise to shape manufacturing over the next decade. New for 2025 is ‘Smart Tank,’ where these entrepreneurs will pitch their products and services to a panel of experts.
For some fun, the popular Guitar Legends competition returns, with a 3D-printed guitar for the winner, plus the house band The Shadow Monkeys will pop up all around the event and return with their signature high energy and crowd-pleasing hits to close out the first evening’s visitor party. Meanwhile, the Best of British Showcase celebrates the finest in UK manufacturing, spotlighting groundbreaking designs, pioneering methods, and export successes.
With so much to explore, Visitor Trails are the perfect way to navigate Smart Manufacturing Week with ease. These curated pathways help attendees make the most of their time, guiding them to the most relevant exhibitors, must-see presentations, and technologies based on their interests. Whether seeking the latest innovation and smart technology advancements or looking for groundbreaking sustainability and circular economy solutions, or products and services designed specifically for SMEs, these tailored routes ensure nothing is missed out.
Smart Manufacturing Week takes place at the NEC Birmingham on the 4th-5th of June 2025. Other exhibitions taking place at the NEC at the same time include Automechanika run by Messe Frankfurt; Med-Tech Innovation Expo and TCT 3Sixty from Rapid News Group; and Subcon from the Mark Allen Group. One visitor badge provides access to all events. For more information and to register for free visit the website below.
