Editor’s Pick

Important Appointment at CBM

The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) has strengthened its offer to the
organisation’s 200-strong membership base with a high-profile industrial appointment.
Maurice Spooner, who has over 40 years’ experience in manufacturing, has joined as the
CBM’s sheet metal specialist, helping companies involved in pressings and roll-formed
products to navigate an increasingly complex business landscape.
“This year promises to be a very interesting period for our members and the CBM will have
an important role to make sure their voices are heard,” says Spooner. “Sheet metal is our
biggest sector of membership, and it will be my role to support these firms by helping with
issues they face and ensuring they are aware of the full range of services we offer.”
More information www.thecbm.co.uk

Southern Manufacturing Breaks Records

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2025, the UK’s annual trade fair serving
manufacturing in the mechanical and electronic engineering sectors, concluded its most
successful show to date last month. Celebrating its 27 th anniversary this year, the
international event saw a surge in visitor attendance and exhibitor participation, solidifying
its position as a vital business hub for industry professionals.
The number of attendees reached 10,204, a 14% increase compared with 2024. The biggest
cohort was from the aerospace manufacturing sector. More than 72% of visitors had
purchasing influence, underlining the event’s importance as a platform for business growth.
Notably, the number of exhibitors also grew, by 12%, with 535 companies showcasing their
latest products and innovations.
More information www.southern-manufacturing-electronics.com

New Alliance Formed to Avert Disaster

A new alliance of engineering and manufacturing firms has been launched in Scotland to
avert looming “economic disaster” and grasp an “Industrial Revolution sized opportunity”
worth hundreds of billions of pounds. Last month, a Scottish Engineering report warned that
the Scottish economy was facing severe economic impact due to the skills crisis and urged
instant remedial action.
The Enginuity Alliance, spearheaded by skills charity Enginuity, is bringing together
interested parties from across the sector to share best practice, generate discussion and
influence policymakers on both sides of the border. At the launch event, chief executive of
Scottish Engineering Paul Sheerin said: “Billions of pounds are at risk if the sector cannot
supply skilled people to service the needs of major projects.”
More information https://enginuity.org/the-alliance

FROM FACTORY FLOOR HACKS TO FUTURE TRENDS: DISCOVER IT ALL ATSMART MANUFACTURING WEEK

The NEC Birmingham will once again play host to Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW), the
UK’s largest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering on 4-5 June 2025. SMW
(www.smartmanufacturingweek.com) brings together a strong line up of events, including
Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls, Design + Engineering Expo and the Air-Tech
and Fluid Power and Systems zones.
Building on the success of the 2024 event, which attracted 13,500 visitors, more than 450
exhibitors and 200 speakers, SMW 2025 is poised to deliver an even larger, more ambitious,
and more transformative event, with more international manufacturers and engineers
expected to visit. Free visitor registration is now open and a limited number of Premium
Plus Visitor passes are available for purchase.
Reflecting on the 2024 event, which was named Best Tradeshow at the Conference & Events
Awards 2024, Malcolm Greenhill of Charter Controls, says: “This is the best exhibition we’ve
ever done, and I’ve been participating in exhibitions at the NEC since 1983.”
Charter Controls returns to SMW in 2025 as a Platinum Partner, underscoring its trust in the
event.
Emphasising the ‘must see’ nature of the event is the presence of prominent exhibitors
including Schneider Electric, FANUK UK, 3M, Epicor, Binder UK, Cembre, Ericsson, Hoffmann
Group and ifm Electronic. Alongside other big names, the exhibition floor will showcase the
most influential players in industry.
Amongst these giant technology players are cutting-edge start-ups and innovative small
businesses set to revolutionise the sector. At the heart of Smart Factory Expo, ‘Innovation
Alley’ will feature emerging manufacturing technologies with exhibitors across four key
categories: ‘people’ focusing on wellbeing, workforce management, recruitment, training
and skills; ‘product’ centring on design, R&D and materials; ‘process’ concentrating on
productivity, resilience, supply chain and AI; and ‘planet’ encompassing net zero,
sustainability and energy management.
Following the success of 2024, where attendees engaged with the latest solutions from the
next wave of technology and consultancy businesses, the 2025 event will provide
opportunities to meet start-ups and early-stage companies and their founders, uncovering
transformative technologies that promise to shape manufacturing over the next decade.

Visitor trails offer an exciting way to explore the vast show floor, guiding attendees to the
most relevant exhibitors and must-see presentations. From automation and robotics to
sustainability, industrial data and AI, and product innovation and design, these thoughtfully
curated pathways make it easy to navigate the show and ensure visitors will not miss out on
the show’s highlights.
The free educational programme is comprehensive, with seven solutions theatres dedicated
to addressing a wide array of topics including: digital transformation, industrial data and AI,
the IIoT and connectivity, design and innovation, automation and robotics, leadership and
strategy, and maintenance. New this year is the ‘Technology Showcase Theatre’, where
visitors can see and get their hands on an array of cutting-edge innovations. Offering a rare
glimpse into future developments and prototypes, the theatre will feature everything from
advanced robotics to wearable technologies, bringing the next generation of breakthroughs
to life.
In addition, SMW 2025 will continue its commitment to inspiring future engineers and
manufacturers through its dedicated STEM programme, sponsored by returning Platinum
Partner FANUC. Now extended to focus on school-year students, as well as those in further
education, hundreds of pupils and apprentices will have the chance to interact directly with
industry experts, offering a hands-on introduction to the exciting world of advanced
manufacturing and engineering.
As in previous years, 2025 will also play host to several satellite events, such as The
Manufacturer Top 100 Awards and the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. This two-day
conference for senior leaders, which attracts many of the top 250 manufacturers from
across the UK, is focussed on the application of digital technologies to enhance the
processes, efficiencies and outcomes of the manufacturing industry.
On the fun side, the much-loved Guitar Legends competition will make a return, with a 3D-
printed guitar awarded to the winner. Adding to the festival atmosphere, The Shadow
Monkeys will return with their signature high-energy, crowd-pleasing hits to close out the
first evening’s visitor party.
For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, this year’s event introduces a new feature: ‘Smart
Tank’. Designed to inspire and empower budding innovators, this platform invites
entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas and product concepts to a panel of industry
experts. Additionally, event attendees can explore the dedicated technology demonstration
area, where new solutions will be showcased, offering a detailed look into some of
industry’s most exciting developments.
Smart Manufacturing Week continues to prioritise sustainability, returning as a carbon-
neutral event in 2025. In collaboration with Forest Nation, the organisers have pledged to
plant one tree for every attendee, a practice introduced in 2023 that has helped reduce the
event’s environmental impact while supporting global reforestation efforts.
“Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 is laser focused on the visitor experience while ensuring
exhibitors have the best opportunity to connect with their target customer base,” says

managing director Grace Gilling. “We create a festival-type atmosphere that’s entertaining
as well as a fantastic opportunity to connect businesses, encourage innovation and create a
platform for industry-shaping conversations.”
Smart Manufacturing Week will take place at Birmingham’s NEC on 4-5 June 2025. Other
exhibitions are also taking place at the NEC at the same time, and these include:
Automechanika run by Messe Frankfurt; Med-Tech Innovation Expo and TCT 3Sixty from
Rapid News Group; and Subcon from the Mark Allen Group. One visitor badge provides
access to all events.
Register for free at https://bit.ly/4iy8LxT

Heller Welcomes Strategic Partner

H.I.G. Capital is taking a significant stake in the Heller Group, a Germany-headquartered machine tool and manufacturing system manufacturer. The partnership will ensure the success of its transformation and open up many new opportunities for Heller in the areas of investment, efficiency improvement, product innovation and international market development.

Heller CEO Dr Thorsten Schmidt says: “The partnership with H.I.G. is a milestone for our company. H.I.G.’s additional financial resources and global network will enable us to achieve our strategic goals faster. Our aim remains clear: securing and expanding our innovation leadership in the market to reach new industries and customers.”

More information www.heller.biz