Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2024, the most comprehensive annual industrial exhibition in the UK and a major pan-European showcase for new technology, opens from 6th to 8th February. This year’s event is breaking new ground, with the highest ever number of enquiries and interest from overseas, lifting it onto the international stage and elevating it into a show of global significance. It is a must-attend venue for anyone involved in design, production or procurement and is an ideal location for addressing multiple purchasing requirements quickly and efficiently.
The 2024 exhibition is on track to be a complete sell out, even though extra stand space has been created to accommodate the high level of interest. The show has evolved into one of the UK’s leading venues for engineering, with stands split approximately equally between companies operating in the mechanical engineering and electronics sectors. The event unites under one roof a rich combination of firms operating at the forefront of technology and innovating across a multitude of sectors. Having moved to its present location in 2008, it was the first show to be held in the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre after it was built in 2018.
Over its long history, the trade fair has grown continuously from a small gathering of local firms into an exposition of international significance, enticing visitors and exhibitors from all over the world. It is an event important enough to attract big-name manufacturers, but it is also accessible to engineering SMEs and small vendors, as the organisers operate a policy of open access that discourages larger firms from dominating the space. This mixture gives rise to a unique, vibrant atmosphere that is unlike that of other shows. Testament to the effectiveness of the venue as a business forum is the very high rate of return bookings, a large proportion of participants having been regular returnees since the event’s inauguration in 1997.
An interesting facet of Southern is that although the various technologies and industries covered are diverse, there are no physical barriers between the areas, allowing cross-over between the various engineering disciplines. Visitors often say this is one of the show’s main attractions, as it leads to discovery of companies that would not normally be seen. Technology Trails grouping firms having expertise in particular fields help to guide visitors around the aisles.
It is the place to see all the latest in machine tools, tooling, workholding and other production hardware, automation and robotics, test, measurement, inspection and metrology, business and manufacturing software, and materials supply. Mechanical, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic components and assemblies will be found alongside SMT technology, PCBs, box build, cables, mechatronics assembly, plastic injection and rubber mouldings, connectors, sensors, drives and encoders. Other items on display will include fasteners, pressings, wireforms, springs, gaskets, and more. An extensive variety of subcontract services will also be on offer.
Automation on both the mechanical engineering and electronics sides will feature strongly, driven by a skills shortage in Britain and across Europe. Manufacturing industry is also facing a battle to recover from the impact of Brexit, supply chain disruptions, soaring energy costs and higher taxation. Not surprisingly, these themes are emerging strongly among exhibitors at the show with growth in Industry 4.0 solutions and advanced handling technology, and considerable interest in the reshoring of production, green energy and power-saving machinery. Additive manufacturing continues its progress towards becoming a mainstream production technique, as will be evident on the stands of numerous exponents.
Other diverse products and services on offer will encompass production and planning aids, oil and coolant supply, workshop equipment, dust and fume extraction, humidity control, workplace storage systems, bespoke case and foam manufacture, plastic packaging, injection moulding, hand tools, adhesives, industrial flooring, waste removal and recycling, training, freight services and financial consultancy.
Alongside the exhibition and demonstration areas, over the three days there will be free technical seminar programmes, one covering mechanical engineering and the other electrical and electronic engineering. They will give visitors and exhibitors alike valuable learning opportunities, with a particular focus on the technical, managerial and environmental issues facing manufacturers today.
Presentations will include advice for small manufacturers looking to improve their relationship with customers, how to enhance a sales team’s performance, CE and UKCA marking compliance, sustainable practices in manufacturing, management skills coaching including how to address the challenges of hybrid working, and digital process management.
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2024 co-locates with AutoAero, a specialist theme within the exhibition devoted to automotive and aerospace engineering. There is ample free car parking and the site is well served by road and public transport links. A regular, complimentary bus service runs between Farnborough’s Main and North Camp railway stations and the showground. Admission is also free and tickets are available from www.industrysouth.co.uk
