The organiser of Subcon (5-7 June, Birmingham NEC) has revealed that it is preparing for a bumper year with over 400 exhibitors confirmed and some 4,500 visitors expected, which would be a new record.

This year, visitors will enjoy two shows – Subcon and a brand new sister event, The Engineer Expo.
“There is going to be so much to talk about this year: from our research into the ignorance around Industry 4.0 and the importance of increasing the number of women in manufacturing and engineering leadership roles, to the presentations across our stages and discussions among the stands of more than 400 exhibitors,” says Subcon event director Gordon Kirk. “This year’s event is set to be our best yet and will give visitors and suppliers an opportunity to interact with every facet of the UK manufacturing and engineering community, maintain their competitive edge, and shape how the industry is seen from the outside.”
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk

Chester Machine Tools is reporting brisk business across its portfolio of metal-cutting solutions.

Among notable recent sales, a Chester Hercules milling machine and a Kitchen & Walker radial drill have been loaded for their journey to Eritrea in Africa (pictured). They are the first machines of a large three-stage project shipment for the company.
In addition, following a highly successful MACH 2018 exhibition at the Birmingham NEC last month, Chester says that the first Style 510 CNC lathe is now on its way to a specialist hydraulic component manufacturing company in Kent. The Style 510 is suited to the manufacture of research and development project components, prototype parts and sample creations. Chester announced its UK representation of the Dutch-built Style range at the MACH show.
For further information www.chestermachinetools.com

Subcon (5-7 June, Birmingham NEC) has unveiled research showing the subcontracting impact of a 48% increase in UK engineering and manufacturing exports over the past 12 months.

The research also revealed: a further 35% of businesses had seen export levels remain the same; of those increasing exports, the most common increase is a healthy 5-10%; and for an elite 20% of businesses, exports grew by more than 20%.

The research also shows that two thirds of manufacturing and engineering businesses used subcontractors in the past year, with 38% planning to increase work with them in the next 12 months. This rise is driven by a lack of in-house capacity and a desire among manufacturers and engineering businesses to focus on core competencies. Of those businesses that do use subcontractors, over half (53%) outsource up to 20% of their requirements, while more than a third (36%) outsource £10,000-£100,000. A further quarter outsource £100,000 to £1m annually.
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk

The organiser of the Subcon exhibition has announced a partnership with Automechanika Birmingham, an exhibition for the automotive aftermarket and vehicle production sector.

As a result, visitors can benefit from attending both events by registering just once for their visitor badge. The two events are set to take place on 5-7 June 2018 at the NEC in Birmingham.
More than 4500 visitors from the aerospace, automotive, defence, energy, materials, oil and gas, and rail sectors will attend Subcon this year to do business with over 400 exhibitors. Meanwhile, over 500 exhibitors will connect with more than 12,000 visitors at the 2018 Automechanika Birmingham trade exhibition, including the likes of Robert Bosch, Magal & Arlington, TR Fastenings, Schmidt Light Metals, COBA Plastics, Pritex, Keyence, Autocraft Drivetrain Solutions, DIT, Igus, DJJ Engineering, and many others.
For further information www.subconshow.co.uk