Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to FIVE, Farnborough, on February 15th and 16th 2012, and, according to the organisers, promises more exhibitors than ever, along with a new Electronics Production, Machinery and Automation area
The Southern Manufacturing & Electronics show is currently enjoying continued growth, with the Electronics side of the show now accounting for 50% of the total number of exhibitors. This section includes not just components, but a range of specialist OEM suppliers and service providers.
In 2011, a new hall was added alongside the Electronics area to cater for increased demand. This year, Hall 2 will expand further to house a new area dedicated to Electronics Production, Automation and Machine Controls. Here, visitors will find a selection of sensors, controls, HMI’s and components of all descriptions. “We are seeing a general trend in the UK engineering sector towards smaller, high-value specialist suppliers,” said Phil Valentine, show director. “The format of Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is ideal for those kinds of businesses; and from the visitor’s perspective, it means they can meet a huge number of suppliers in a very short space of time.”
For those involved in process engineering, the show is, say the organisers, one of the top events held annually in the UK. Its easy access, convenient location and free entry means increasing visitor numbers – a 25% increase in 2011 alone.
Most, if not all, of the top name suppliers will return to Farnborough in 2012, including Fanuc, Hepco Motion, LG Motion, RS Components, EAO, Faro, HAAS Automation, HPC Gears, Nikon and many others. They are joined by several new names, among them Amada, exhibiting for the first time in 2012.
Alongside these companies are hundreds of suppliers providing sub-assemblies, mechanical engineering components, machine vision systems, subcontract metalworking and components. There is also a range of business support services, such as training, finance and regional development agencies to keep the visitor informed.
The show’s free seminar programme has also seen some developments for 2012: “For 2012, we’ve assembled what we believe to be the strongest line-up of expert presenters ever seen at Southern Manufacturing,” said Valentine – among them, The Smart Group, BAE Systems, EDF Energy, NAMRC, Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, University of Sheffield and The Composite Systems Innovation Centre.
Session topics in the engineering seminar room include: CE?Marking – an update to new legislative requirements, How to succeed at new product development and Six Sigma – An innovative approach for both large and small companies.
Exports are now a major component of many a company’s annual turnover, and in one of the seminars – Doing Business Abroad – Dermot Shean from UKTI gives advice on how to sell overseas. Sessions on How to Innovate and Designing for Commercial Success will help delegates develop new approaches to product development. Selling to the Energy Sector, Supply Chain & SC21 and How to Supply the Healthcare & Tele-Health market will give an insight into how to break into these key growth markets. Other sessions will focus on the latest advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, Supply Chain & SC21 and a look at the UK’s fast-growing medical devices industry. A full list of the 24 sessions on the 2012 seminar programme is available on the website. The seminars are free, but seating is limited, so it is advisable to reserve a place in advance.
Entry to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2012 is free to business visitors, and FIVE Farnborough offers plenty of free car parking, and good access by road and public transport. To register online for tickets simply visit www.industrysouth.co.uk or call 01784 880 890. Visitors can follow all the latest news from the show at www.linkedin.com, or on its blog page at http://blog.industrysouth.co.uk.
