The Southern Manufacturing Show is one of the longest-running and best supported industrial technology shows in the UK. Since moving to its present venue at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire in 2008, the show has enjoyed consistent double-digit growth, which this year saw exhibitor numbers swell to well over 700 companies. Housed in a purpose-built venue, the event draws visitors from all over Europe in their thousands to see the latest manufacturing technologies from some of the world’s leading suppliers gathered under one roof.

 

The sheer scale and diversity of the show made a deep impression on many first time visitors. Dr. Pavel Shashkov from Cambridge-Nanotherm commented, “This was our first visit and we were overwhelmed by the size of the event – we were expecting something much smaller.” Dr. Shashkov visited the show to finalise a landmark distribution agreement with leading circuit board manufacturer Spirit Circuits, who were exhibiting. He continued, “We often hear talk that manufacturing is slowly dying; Clearly, it’s not dying: People need to come here and see the amazing things UK manufacturers are doing.”

 

Show director Phil Valentine commented: “We are really pleased with the success of Southern Manufacturing 2013, and we are delighted that so many companies have found it worthwhile. We look forward to welcoming them back next year.” Stand space for Southern Manufacturing 2014 is already reported to be selling fast. Meanwhile, attention now moves to the new Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2013 event, which launches at Event City in Manchester on 2 and 3 October. Northern Manufacturing & Electronics 2013 has already secured the support of many of the big-name exhibitors who have helped build the success of its southerly sibling event.