Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 (4-5 June, Birmingham NEC) is the UK’s biggest and most vibrant gathering for industrial innovation. The event brings together over 13,500 attendees and more than 450 solution providers to explore the technologies, strategies and connections shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering.

At the event, four dedicated exhibitions cover smart manufacturing technologies that include design and engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, maintenance and reliability, robotics, and more. With over 1000 products and services on display, plus Innovation Alley – dedicated to helping young businesses break on to the scene – there is plenty to see and learn at Smart Manufacturing Week.

More information www.smartmanufacturingweek.com

The brightest lights in British engineering and manufacturing are set to shine as finalists for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2025. Taking place on 3 July 2025, the event’s theme is: Engineering and Manufacturing is the Engine of Growth. The gala dinner will take place at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, where the winners will be announced. Each year, the Enginuity Skills Awards celebrates teams and individuals who inspire and empower the next generation of talent in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, fostering a culture of innovation, diversity and collaboration. Enginuity is formerly Semta, the sector skills council.

More information www.enginuity.org

Last month, Citizen Machinery held a special event at the company’s Bushey headquarters to launch the third generation of its Cincom L20-LFV series of sliding-head lathes, which in the latest version are considerably more productive and eco-friendly. Three of the four variants available to UK and Irish manufacturers were on show under power producing typical customer-type components. As it was not a conventional open house, the gathering was smaller than normal, but nevertheless 60 visitors from 30 customer companies attended. Four orders were taken to the value of around £700,000.

More information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

The countdown to the MACH 2026 exhibition continues to gather momentum with the announcement that Lloyds has once again confirmed its role as headline sponsor. It marks over 16 years of lloyds’ continuous support for the event and reaffirms the bank’s long-standing commitment to the UK’s manufacturing sector.

Dave Atkinson, UK head of manufacturing at Lloyds, says: “Manufacturing is a sector that drives growth and innovation across the UK economy, and it’s crucial we help companies take advantage of opportunities like the transition to net zero. Our role goes beyond finance: we’re committed to supporting manufacturers with the investment, advice and skills they need to thrive in a competitive and evolving global marketplace.”

More information www.machexhibition.com

Machine tool supplier Dugard has strengthened its team with the recruitment of David Morning as area sales manager for Scotland and the northeast of England. Dugard says it has experienced significant growth north of the border in recent years, and this appointment will further enhance the presence of its diverse portfolio of machine tool brands. “I have operated, serviced and specified Dugard machines in previous roles,” says Morning. “I’m excited about the opportunity ahead. Dugard has a full range of machine tool brands complemented by extensive automation solutions.”

More information www.dugard.com