Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 Educational Agenda announced

30 April, 2025

Taking place on 4-5 June 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, the programme has been designed around the core event pillars of: Innovation and Smart Technologies, Digital Transformation, Sustainability and Circular Economy, Workforce Development and Upskilling, and Supply Chain Resilience.

The agenda, developed through extensive research features a rich mix of formats including keynote addresses, solution-led presentations, interactive panel sessions, hands-on masterclasses from the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) and curated roundtables. Each session is designed to deliver actionable insights that delegates can apply immediately to drive performance.

The seven Solutions Theatres cover a range of key topics including Digital Transformation, Industrial Data & AI, IIoT & Connectivity, Design & Innovation, Automation & Robotics, Leadership & Strategy, Maintenance, and a new Technology Showcase Arena.

Among the highlights of the programme is the keynote from Professor Henrik von Scheel, a globally recognised thought leader in manufacturing and industry strategy, otherwise known as the ‘Godfather of Industry 4.0’. He will present on The Future of Manufacturing: Megatrends that Shape the Next Decade in the Design & Innovation Theatre on the morning of 4th June (Day 1).

Digital Transformation is another key focus of this year’s programme, with sessions delving into the transformative impact of technologies such as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), machine learning, and cloud computing. In a standout panel session titled The Connected Factory: Unlocking the Potential of IIoT in Manufacturing, industry leaders including Prasad Manorathna, Senior Director at Haleon and Dr Amir Rahbarimanesh, Assistant Professor in Engineering Project Management – University of Manchester, School of Engineering will hold a discussion exploring strategies, technologies, and real-world applications of connected manufacturing ecosystems.

The agenda also places strong emphasis on Sustainability and the Circular Economy. The panel session Designing for the Future: Embedding Circular Economy Principles in Manufacturing, is a key example of this and will feature Nick Kemp, Head of Design for Brompton Bicycles’ X50 programme, and Sandra Gaspar, Head of Recycling at Eurocell.

Recognising the sector’s critical need for Workforce Development and Upskilling, the programme includes a wide range of sessions aimed at addressing the skills gap. One session that will be of particular value for manufacturers seeking to upskill their workforce to meet the demands of an increasingly data-driven industry is Harnessing Data Analytics and Insights for Decision-Making, the headline keynote from Daniel Simkiss, Industry 4.0 Programme Lead at British Sugar.

Finally, the theme of Supply Chain Resilience runs throughout the show and is addressed in multiple sessions, including How Industrial Leaders Are Boosting Productivity by 30% Through Smarter Operations and Reduced Downtime. Delivered by François Déchelette and Octave Lapeyronie, co-founders of fabriq.