UK Manufacturing Trade Shows: Which One Should You Exhibit?

If you’re a manufacturer, supply chain operator or distributor you’ve probably attended a few events – both as a visitor and exhibitor.

If you’re thinking of exhibiting in 2020, you need to know the best expos to attend. Here are some of the key benefits of attending a trade show:

We’ve put together this extensive list, so you can make an easy decision.

1. LAMMA 2020

What is it?: LAMMA brings together the whole of the farming community in one busy event with over 40,000 visitors. There are 11 halls packed with new ideas and cutting-edge equipment and over 700 exhibitors showcasing the latest tractors, combines, drills and cultivation kit and a wide range of other products and tools.

Who should exhibit?: Farming or agricultural machinery manufacturers that want to showcase new equipment.

When is it?: 7th-8th January, NEC, Birmingham.

Website: https://www.lammashow.com/

Further reading - How to Attract Attention at a Trade Show: 12 Inventive ideas

 

2. Industry 4.0 Summit & Expo 2020

What is it?: The Industry 4.0 is a mixture of a summit and an expo. There will be talks throughout the event, and booths where you can exhibit your latest industry 4.0 manufacturing technology.

Who should exhibit?: Suppliers that want to help businesses become digitally smarter and more productive.

When is it?: 31st March-21st April 2020, Manchester

Website: https://www.industry40summit.com/

 

3. Plant & Asset Management 2020

What is it?: Plant & Asset Management is the premier expo for plant, asset, maintenance and works management engineers and directors. The event will showcase the very latest in smart maintenance, condition monitoring, CMMS, outsourcing/contract maintenance, energy efficiency, boilers/burners/combustion, handling and storage plus much more.

Who should exhibit?: Anyone that possesses a solution that helps manufacturers improve performance and release the pressure of plant management costs.

When is it?: 21st-23rd April 2020

Website: http://www.maintenanceuk-expo.com/

 

4. Chem UK 2020

What is it?: This expo and speaker programme connects the UK’s industrial chemicals, biochemicals, chemicals processing and chemical product formulation industries. Leading suppliers provide equipment, ancillaries, technologies and services, plus, supply-chain chemicals & ingredients.

Who should exhibit?: manufacturers, distributors or suppliers of chemicals, ingredients & raw materials.

When is it?: 13th-14th May 2020, EventCity, Manchester

Website: https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/

 

5. SubCon 2020

What is it?: SubCon is a 3-in-1 event that includes SubCon, The Engineer Expo and The Manufacturing Management Show. The event focus is on the automotive, energy, oil and gas, aerospace, electronics, materials, rail and defence and security industries.

Who should exhibit?: Suppliers, advanced engineering companies and businesses that can offer sound strategy advice to manufacturers.

When is it?: 9th-11th June, NEC, Birmingham

Website: https://www.subconshow.co.uk/

Further reading - How effective are trade shows in 2020

 

6. Northern & Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2020

What is it?: The event had humble beginnings as a regional event. It’s evolved into a national show, with influence across Europe and further afield. In 2018, the event moved to a new home, the £35m Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre development. A 20,000m² complex offering world-class facilities, easy access and free onsite parking.

Who should exhibit?: if you’re a 2nd or 3rd tier supplier to the automotive, autosport and aerospace, defence industries or if you supply products and services to the electronics assembly and production, industrial machinery, energy, marine, metal processing, test & measurement, medical/pharmabio, mechanical engineering, and packaging/handling/logistics industries.

When is it?: 11th-13th February, Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Farnborough.

Website: https://www.industrysouth.co.uk/

 

7. APPEX Global 2020

What is it?: APPEX is an event focused on prospecting, business transaction and deal-making for the oil and gas E&P sector. Prospects, properties, products, service providers, investors and decision-makers.

Who should exhibit?: Companies involved in the exploration and production of gas and oil. Or anyone that provides business services around farm-outs, joint ventures, license rounds, open acreage, new exploration, new data availability.

When is it?: 3rd-5th March 2020, Business Design Centre, London

Website: https://appex.aapg.org/2020

 

8. MACH 2020

What is it?: MACH is connecting the world of manufacturing tech and is aimed at companies who are looking to invest in the digital manufacturing revolution. The Manufacturing Technologies Association own the event.

Who should exhibit?: MACH operates across various industries, and is ideal for those that want to showcase products, services and leading-edge developments. The event states ’whatever your role in manufacturing, there is a space for you at MACH that will place your products and services, technologies and ideas in front of an engaged audience with real buying power’.

When is it?: 20th-24th April, NEC, Birmingham

Website: https://www.machexhibition.com/welcome/

Further reading - The best exhibition stands in the world & why they work

 

9. M&CCE Expo 2020

What is it?: M&CCE stands for The Marine & Coastal Civil Engineering Expo, and is Europe’s leading event that’s dedicated to showcasing the latest equipment and solutions for marine, coastal and other challenging civil engineering projects. The event will run concurrently with Seawork, a commercial and workboat marine expo.

Who should exhibit?: engineers, suppliers and manufacturers who sell to civil engineering companies, UK port authorities, energy companies and conservation organisations.

When is it?: 9th-11th June, Mayflower Park, Southampton

Website: https://www.mcceexpo.com/

 

10. Med-Tech Expo 2020

What is it?: Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the UK & Ireland’s leading event for medical design and manufacturing technology. The event was created for designers, engineers, innovators and manufacturers, so they can discover new solutions, materials, machines, applications and suppliers.

Who should exhibit?: Suppliers and manufacturers in the medical design, manufacturing and engineering sector.

When is it?: 1st-2nd April, NEC, Birmingham

Website: https://med-techexpo.com/

 

11. Robotics and Automation Exhibition 2020

What is it?: this exhibition and conference is dedicated to providing an experience that’s related to manufacturing robotics and automation. Attendees will discover how the latest robotics, automation and future technologies improve efficiency, reduce costs and provide a competitive advantage.

Who should exhibit?: suppliers that can help manufacturers reduce costs, improve efficiency and productivity with their equipment.

When is it?: 3rd-4th of November, Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Website: https://www.roboticsandautomation.co.uk//

 

12. PPMA Show 2020

What is it?: This show is the UK’s biggest exhibition of processing and packaging machinery. The show features the latest in processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision systems, as well as today’s innovations and advances in materials, containers, packaging design and sustainability.

Who should exhibit?: suppliers who can provide processing and packaging equipment to a range of industries.

When is it?: 29th-30th October 2020, NEC, Birmingham

Website: https://www.ppmashow.co.uk/

 

13. Smart Factory Expo 2020

What is it?: Smart Factory Expo is an event for businesses who want to show their expertise in the digital side of manufacturing. The event will showcase the 50 hottest manufacturing startups, top 600 hall of fame, speakers corner, success stories and a consultants’ clinic.

Who should exhibit?: suppliers who offer innovative digital solutions

When is it?: 11th-12th November, Exhibition Centre, Liverpool

 

Which Show Are you Attending this Year?

Regardless of your manufacturing niche, there’s a show for you to attend this year. Once you’ve determined which show you’re going to attend, you can start planning.