MACH is primarily a fertile environment for companies to exhibit and sell their latest technology solutions. More than £200 million worth of business has been attributed to the 2018 show. But, MACH also plays an important role in helping to inspire the next generation of engineers and for the past decade has housed a dedicated Education and Development Zone to do just that.

Due to the 2018 edition falling during the Easter school holidays, the MACH team took the unprecedented decision to encourage families to attend the exhibition. This was to help widen the pool of students who might be able to attend, in addition to the regular school visits organised.

Inspiring 

The MACH team was contacted recently by Charles Rylatt who attended the exhibition with his family. His daughter, Chloe, had a particularly inspiring visit and has taken the first steps into following a career in engineering. 

Although only 13 years of age, Chloe is enthusiastic about the opportunities available to her in a career in engineering. She says: "I had already started thinking about engineering as I enjoyed doing it and MACH helped by showing me the types of machinery used, how they can be used, and what they can make. I just found it fascinating."

The decision to encourage families to attend brought about a higher attendance of students and enabled families such as the Rylatts to take full advantage of the event. Charles Rylatt comments: “Where else can you, for free, see leading edge tech from all sectors of the engineering world – from massive lathes and milling machines down to some of the most precise water jet cutters – and top that off with displays of the radical capabilities of 3D printing with composite materials. At the same time you can talk to people who can show what they use it for and pass on a few tips from their years in the industry whilst being very approachable.” 

He continues: “The sheer scale was impressive to say the least, and the wonderfully chatty and genuinely caring attitude of all the exhibitors that we met and spoke to was brilliant. Despite the event being a trade show, as 'civilians' we were never given the brush off and everyone took time to explain what their company did, and offered advice on both career and educational paths to follow.”

Chloe adds: “One piece of advice that has stuck with me from the show is that 'engineering is more fun when you get your hands dirty'.

The family travelled from Lincolnshire to MACH. Since the event, Chloe has made contact with Lincoln UTC where she hopes to study in a few years time.

James Selka, CEO of the Manufacturing Technologies Association, which organises MACH on behalf of the industry, says: “We’re really pleased that a decision to encourage families to visit the show has helped to introduce a new wave of potential engineers to everything that advanced manufacturing can offer. MACH is a world class showcase of manufacturing technology and seeing really is believing. We look forward to welcoming Chloe and the Rylatt family to MACH 2020.”