Southern Manufacturing set to highlight growth in digitalisation of production

15 January, 2025

Regarded as the largest and most comprehensive annual industrial exhibition in the UK and a major global showcase for engineering and manufacturing technology, the show moved to its present location in 2008 and was the first to be held in the new, world-class exhibition centre when it was built a decade later. Since its inauguration in 1997, the event has grown continuously from a small, regional gathering of engineering firms into one of international importance, attracting visitors and exhibitors from around the world.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics hosts many large manufacturers and service providers, but is also liberally populated by engineering SMEs and small vendors. The show operates a policy of open access, discouraging bigger firms from dominating the space. There will be an abundance of new engineering technology on show, making it an ideal place for anyone looking to source multiple products and services efficiently. Although the industries represented throughout the hall are multifaceted, there are no barriers between the areas, allowing easy cross-over between different disciplines.

Featured will be all the latest in machine tools, tooling, workholding and other production hardware, along with subcontractors offering a comprehensive range of mechanical engineering services. Intermingling with these providers will be companies offering PCB design, box build services and other contract electronics manufacture, cables, connectors, mechatronics assembly, and electro-mechanical components and systems.

Testing, inspection and measurement serving all industry sectors will be in evidence throughout, as will production planning systems, engineering and business software, materials and consumables. Suppliers of plastic injection and rubber mouldings will be in attendance alongside other companies specialising in a huge variety of controls, displays, HMIs, data acquisition systems, sensors, drives, encoders, fasteners, pressings, wire forms, springs and gaskets.

Additional products and services essential for business operations will include oil and coolant supply, workshop equipment, dust and fume extraction, humidity control, workplace storage, bespoke case and foam manufacture, plastic packaging, labelling equipment, hand tools, adhesives, industrial flooring, waste removal and recycling, freight forwarding services, and financial and business consultancy.

This year’s show will reflect the ongoing growth in digitalisation of production, as well as an increase in manufacturing systems that may be interconnected via Industry 4.0 protocols. There will be an emphasis on reshoring of production, plus new ecological technologies such as green energy generation, efficient under-floor heating and power-saving machinery.

Robotics and other forms of autonomous handling on both the mechanical engineering and electronics sides will again feature strongly, driven by a skills shortage in Britain and across Europe. Additive manufacturing continues its progress towards becoming a mainstream production technique and there will be many companies offering equipment, consumables and bureau services. The current exhibitor list is available to view at: www.southern-manufacturing-electronics.com/en/exhibitor