Advanced Engineering 2024 showcases innovations and industry collaboration

04 December, 2024

On October 30 and 31, 2024, the NEC in Birmingham welcomed over 9800 engineering and manufacturing professionals for the 15th edition of Advanced Engineering. Across two days, attendees had the opportunity to discover the latest innovations within the industry, with more than 400 exhibitors showcasing their cutting-edge technologies.

Exhibitors ranged from well-established companies like Atlas Copco, Optimas, Airtech Advanced Materials, and RS Group to influential industry bodies such as Composites UK, Innovate UK, the GTMA, and the National Composites Centre. The event also featured Lab Innovations, a co-located show with an additional 200 exhibitors representing the scientific community, offering an even broader range of expertise and insights.

James Watson, Regional Director for Make UK Defence, spoke about his organisation’s first-time participation: “The response has been overwhelming. We didn’t know what to expect, but the interest has been remarkable. Our stand has been busy from the start, with existing members and many new contacts. In just one morning, we’ve already gathered numerous actionable leads.”

The event attracted a diverse group of visitors, including representatives from major organisations such as Airbus, Dyson, JLR, McLaren, and Rolls-Royce. Among the highlights was the return of the Enabling Innovation zone, dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements from start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). On the second day, exhibitors in this zone pitched their innovations to a panel of judges, which included representatives from Innovation DB and Innovate UK. The winning entry was Dream Big Composites, with its composite smart vacuum system – an IoT solution designed to automate the monitoring and control of vacuum pumps to prevent leaks and thermal runaway in composite manufacturing.

Mark Prince, Founder of Dream Big Composites, reflected on the experience: “It’s been fantastic to showcase our technology and connect with businesses who share our commitment to innovation. There isn’t a company here today that isn’t pushing boundaries in some way, and it’s inspiring to be part of this environment.”

The event also featured the Meet the Buyer programme organised by ADS, aimed at companies in the aerospace and defence sectors. This initiative saw 103 suppliers register for the event, with 18 buyer representatives attending, creating valuable networking opportunities for both sides.

Over the course of the two days, attendees were able to attend a range of talks from over 200 industry experts. On the main stage, sponsored by Lloyds Bank, Stephen Phipson CBE, Chief Executive of Make UK, delivered a keynote address offering insight into the UK Government’s manufacturing priorities following the recent Autumn Budget. Other speakers included Brian Holliday, Head of Siemens Digital Industries for the UK and Ireland; Matthew Atkinson, Lead Research Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover; and Shaun Harris CBE, Director of Support and Chief Engineer in the Royal Air Force. Additionally, a Q&A session with Guy Martin, the British motorcycle racer turned television presenter, added a unique element to the programme.

Innovate UK’s pavilion, which highlighted its Driving the Electric Revolution initiative, showcased over 25 innovations in electrification and sustainable energy. This display underscored the role of electrification in transforming sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and energy storage.

Throughout the event, discussions also took place in forums dedicated to automotive, aerospace, composites, and advanced materials technology. Topics included supply chain management, digitalisation, and addressing the skills gap within the industry.

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