MACH is the longest-running manufacturing and engineering exhibition in the UK and its distinctive ability to showcase the largest variety of manufacturing technology solutions in the country makes it unique in the industry and therefore, of critical importance to the sector.
This year’s show will focus on the best of the manufacturing technologies sector – the development of the digital factory, the emergence of the disruptive technologies behind Additive Manufacturing, new automation solutions and connected manufacturing processes, power by the hour and the cost efficiency solutions that will dramatically improve production processes and help shape the industry over the next decade.
Resolving the current challenges to the industry – soaring energy prices, rising labour costs, skills shortages, the escalating price of raw materials, supply chain disruption and the need to effectively tackle the green agenda by seizing the opportunities posed by decarbonisation, will also receive special focus.
So, what can visitors expect? Here are some of the highlights.
Engineering Supply Chain Show
Launching for the first time at MACH 2022, the Engineering Supply Chain focuses on the unique capabilities of the UK manufacturing supply chain and what this offers to buyers seeking specific solutions to their engineering challenges.
Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and the Engineering Industries Association, The Engineering Supply Chain Show is where engineering and manufacturing buyers can go to source world-class suppliers, exclusively in the UK engineering and manufacturing supply chain.
James Selka, CEO, Manufacturing Technologies Association, said: “The UK Supply Chain Zone has always been one of the busiest areas of the MACH show and given the abilities inherent in the UK SME manufacturing sector, it made sense to expand the zone into a show-within-a-show. The levels of skill and expertise which can be found in UK supply chains are amongst the best in the world. This is why there has never been a better time for buyers looking for precision engineering and sub-contracting solutions to examine the opportunities available in the UK.
“With more and more OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers looking to reshore operations and source component supply from within the UK, then a special focus on the ability of the companies making up this unique network of companies has never been more important. It is why this new show will provide a focused showcase for these in-demand products and services.”
The Engineering Supply Chain Show is located in Hall 6.
Seminar Programme
As with previous exhibitions, MACH 2022 will feature a strong seminar programme, with sessions spanning the whole spectrum of the manufacturing technologies sector, with speakers focused on delivering intuitive and engaging presentations reflecting the themes of the show.
“The global shift towards greater sustainability has gathered significant momentum during the past four years and the drive to Net Zero and the opportunities offered by decarbonisation will be a core theme of MACH 2022,” said Mr Selka.
“This will be reflected in the speaker programme, with several speakers basing their presentations on this important subject. Hopefully, this will encourage visitors to the show to discover more about the opportunities provided by these new technologies and to implement them into their own operations.”
Speakers will also address other important topics relating to the sector including the development of digital manufacturing technologies, the emerging role of Additive Manufacturing, the importance of Cyber Security and investment strategies.
The programme begins at midday on Monday (4th April), with Katherine Bennett CBE, Chief Executive of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, delivering the keynote speech in which she will address two of the key themes of the show – the importance of sustainability in manufacturing and the drive to net zero, alongside the importance of the advanced engineering sector.
Professor Juergen Maier, Co-Chair of Made Smarter, will be picking up on this theme when he delivers his presentation ‘Delivering a Responsible and Decarbonising Made Smarter’ on Wednesday (6th April).
On the following day, John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain will be chairing a panel discussion entitled ‘Race to Net Zero – Destination or Dream’ which focuses on the importance of sustainability in manufacturing.
Key market intelligence will be provided by Rhys Herbert, Senior Economist at headline sponsor Lloyds Bank, who will deliver ‘UK Manufacturing – Better Times Ahead’ on Thursday (7th April). In this presentation he will provide an overview of the current state of the UK manufacturing sector and the economic opportunities that lie ahead for manufacturers. Mr Herbert is responsible for analysing and forecasting trends in the UK and other major economies, with a special interest in the manufacturing sector.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) will be the subject of several presentations on Wednesday (6th April). Kicking off the sessions, Kieron Salter, CEO at the Digital Manufacturing Centre, will discuss how to utilise the opportunities posed by AM to develop cost-effective component production. This will be followed by a presentation from Ed Cant, Advanced Research Engineer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, who will discuss The Future of Tooling and Fixturing in Additive Manufacturing.
Stuart Watt, Advanced Research Engineer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, will round off the AM discussions by outlining where those looking to utilise the disruptive technology of 3D Printing within their business should begin.
On Thursday, a familiar face to MACH, David Holmes, Director of Operations and Technology for Air BAE Systems, will be talking about the manufacturing technology requirements BAE needs in order to remain competitive in a global market. Mr Holmes, along with Mr Herbert and Professor Maier were all presenters at the virtual MACH preview event in 2021.
On Tuesday, in line with one of the key themes of the show, Lugano Kapembwa, Co-Founder and CEO of Loopcycle, will use his presentation to help steer the B2B manufacturing sector through the unlocking of the circular economy through digitisation.
Mr Selka added: “The MTA is constantly communicating with the top tiers of the UK manufacturing community so it can target the issues that directly affect manufacturers. One of the MTA’s aims when drawing up the programme was to select speakers that could engage and inspire their audience, as well as directly address the issues of concern to today’s manufacturers.
“We believe we have achieved this, and we are urging visitors to MACH 2022 to check out the full program in advance so they can identify the presentations they want to attend and not miss out.”
All presentations will take place in the Seminar Theatre, located in Hall 6, Stand 860. Spaces for each session will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors should go to the MACH 2022 Map Your Show website to choose the seminars they want to attend and secure their place.
Education & Development Zone
As with previous MACH exhibitions, MACH 2022 will have a strong focus on encouraging more young people into the industry, with special displays and a dedicated exhibition zone showcasing the changes that are taking place within manufacturing and highlighting what makes it one of the most exciting industries to be involved in.
The Education & Development (E&D) Zone, sponsored by Sandvik Coromant, will feature special displays from Airbus Defence & Space, University of Wolverhampton Formula 3 Race Team, Vex Robotics, the Bowers Group Mobile Metrology Centre, F1 in Schools and the Engineering Development Trust (EDT), a nationwide educational charity which offers young people (9-21 years) active learning experiences in STEM-related careers.
The Education & Development Zone is located within Hall 17.
MMMA Metalworking Village
The Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association (MMMA) is capping another major year of growth by taking over 650m² of space at MACH, allowing more than 23 members to showcase their services and technology.
Visitors will be able to enjoy live demonstrations of machinery and take part in technical discussions that will help them improve production processes, remove bottlenecks, whilst also increasing orders and profitability.
The full list of MMMA members exhibiting in the Metalworking Village is:
- Aida
- Bruderer
- Cidan Machine Tools
- Cotswold Machinery
- Decade
- Esprit Automation
- Formit
- Group Rhodes
- Helm
- Industrial Clutch
- Kaller Springs
- Oerlikon Balzers
- Ortlinghaus
- OSA Systems
- Presscare
- Pressform Machinery
- Press Techniques
- QualiMach
- Raybould Machine Tools
- Roemheld UK
- Schuler
- TMA
- Worcester Presses
The Metalworking Village is located within Halls 6 and 20.
Focused Zones
As with previous shows, the exhibition will be laid out in a series of interconnected zones covering virtually every facet of the manufacturing technologies industry.
These include:
- 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing – Hall 17
- Automation for Manufacturing – Hall 19
- Digital Solutions for Manufacturing – Hall 17
- Grinding & Abrasives – Hall 6
- Lasers for Manufacturing – Hall 17
- Logistics for Manufacturing – Hall 19
- Measurement & Inspection – Halls 18 and 19
- Surface Finishing & Component Cleaning – Hall 6
- Welding – Hall 6
“MACH is such a fantastic event for both exhibitors and visitors. Showcasing live, digital production systems in one space, it is not to be missed. Hundreds of millions of pounds worth of business is discussed, secured and completed at the exhibition, making it the must-attend event in the UK manufacturing calendar,” added Mr Selka.
“We also strive to provide meaningful engagement points for our visitors and exhibitors alike, so with the focus on future technologies, we also have the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre and the Made Smarter programme, both showing what they can offer and how they can assist companies with the transition into the digital future.”
It’s not too late to register to visit this must-attend show and for more details on the exhibition and how to register, visit www.machexhibition.com