Get Ahead of the Curve: Smart Manufacturing Week 2025

SMART MANUFACTURING Week 2025, on 4–5 June at the NEC in Birmingham, is a key event for those working in the UK's manufacturing and engineering sectors. As always, it will feature an array of individual exhibitions including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Design and Engineering Expo, and Drives and Controls; along with the Air-Tech and Fluid Power and Systems zones. In this article, we take a closer look at the key activities visitors to the event should be aware of.

With the ongoing evolution of Industry 4.0, this year’s event will spotlight the latest advancements in automation, AI, and robotics, alongside essential areas such as maintenance, reliability, and asset management. Reducing downtime and maximising efficiency remain top priorities for manufacturers, and Smart Manufacturing Week will showcase technologies and strategies that enhance operational resilience. Visitors will have the opportunity to see cutting-edge innovations first-hand, hear from industry experts, and gain valuable insights into the future of manufacturing and engineering.

One of the central focusses of Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 is the skills gap. As demand for digital skills continues to rise, manufacturers are increasingly focused on attracting and retaining talent to meet the evolving needs of the sector. The event will highlight strategies for addressing this challenge, including partnerships with organisations such as WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) and WES (Women’s Engineering Society), aimed at increasing diversity and encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in engineering and manufacturing.

Alongside the technical innovations, Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 will host an impressive educational programme featuring thought leaders such as Professor Henrik von Scheel, known as ‘The Godfather of Industry 4.0,’ who will deliver a session on the megatrends that will shape the future of manufacturing. 

Beyond being a showcase for new technology, Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 provides an important space for discussing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. From sustainability to workforce development, the event brings to light the evolving dynamics of the industry and helps businesses stay competitive while preparing them for the complexities of a rapidly changing world. It is not just about the tools and solutions of today, but the strategies and mindsets needed to thrive in the manufacturing landscape of tomorrow.

The Five Pillars of Smart Manufacturing Week

Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 has identified, through the research conducted by Hennik Research, five themes that are key to the future of the sector: Sustainability, Digitalisation, People and Skills, Innovation, and Supply Chain Resilience. These themes make up the pillars that are the foundation of the event, with the summit, the exhibitors, the education sessions, and other activities all designed to help manufacturers address these challenges and position themselves for future success.

Sustainability

Sustainability and the challenge of achieving Net Zero is at the forefront of the thinking by those involved in modern manufacturing, not just as a regulatory necessity but as a catalyst for innovation and efficiency. Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 is a platform for visitors to explore solutions that minimise environmental impact, optimise energy consumption, and drive circular economy models. Various activities and exhibitor solutions throughout the event will highlight how sustainable practices can enhance competitiveness, reduce costs, and meet the growing demand for greener products and performance. Reinforcing its own commitment to sustainability, Smart Manufacturing Week has continued its partnership with Forest Nation to plant a tree for every visitor, ensuring that the carbon impact of the show is offset as much as possible.

Digitalisation

Across manufacturing and engineering businesses of all sizes the path to digitalisation is at the very heart of Smart Manufacturing Week. The integration of digital technologies is transforming manufacturing at an unprecedented pace. Smart Manufacturing Week will showcase a range of solutions aimed at improving productivity and efficiency. From AI and robotics to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the event will highlight the tools manufacturers need to enhance operations and stay competitive as well as a number of sessions in the educational programme exploring this topic. A key part of this focus will be the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit, a dedicated two-day conference for senior leaders. Attracting many of the UK’s top 250 manufacturers, the summit is focussed on the application of digital technologies to enhance the processes, efficiencies, and outcomes of the manufacturing industry.

People and Skills

The skills gap and attracting the workforce of the future remains perhaps the biggest challenge facing the manufacturing sector. In addition to the partnerships with organisations such as WISE, WES, Innovate and IfM helping to broaden the appeal of the industry and the dedicated STEM programme, Smart Manufacturing Week will also host sessions focused on upskilling existing employees and provide opportunities for both employers and potential employees to connect, ensuring the sector has the talent it needs for the future.

Innovation

Innovation is the heartbeat of modern manufacturing, and Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 will celebrate the latest advancements in manufacturing processes, materials, and technologies. The event will highlight breakthrough innovations that are not only enhancing product quality but also helping manufacturers streamline operations, reduce waste, and drive profitability.

Supply Chain Resilience

In today’s volatile global landscape, a resilient supply chain is more vital than ever. At Smart Manufacturing Week, manufacturers will discover innovative strategies and new technologies designed to help them overcome disruptions and create more adaptable, agile systems. With a series of dedicated sessions in the Solutions Theatres, the event will equip businesses with the essential tools to future-proof their operations and ensure continuity in the face of ongoing challenges.

4 Exhibitions in 1

The four individual exhibitions and the two specific zones that make up Smart Manufacturing Week each bring something different to the table. From automation and industrial software to design innovation and maintenance solutions, there is something to interest any manufacturer or engineer in attendance.

Smart Factory Expo

Smart Factory Expo focuses on the digital transformation of manufacturing. It showcases the latest advancements in automation, AI, and smart manufacturing solutions, helping businesses improve efficiency and productivity through technology. Visitors can see real-world examples of how these innovations are applied in manufacturing environments, from AI-driven processes to advanced automation solutions.

Maintec

Maintec is the UK’s leading exhibition dedicated to maintenance, reliability, and asset management. Focusing on showcasing the latest innovations in predictive maintenance and asset management, the event offers solutions to extend product lifecycles and reduce downtime. With a strong emphasis on reliability, Maintec presents technologies and services that help businesses drive uptime and improve operational performance across various industries.

Design and Engineering Expo

Design and Engineering Expo brings together designers and engineering professionals from all tiers of the supply chain looking to reduce costs, streamline processes and optimise future strategy. Exhibitors such as 3M and igus will showcase technologies aimed at improving design processes, enhancing product performance, and addressing practical challenges.

Drives and Controls

Drives and Controls highlights developments in motion control, automation, and power transmission. Exhibitors such as Binder, Cembre, Charter Controls and Hoffman Group will present solutions that enhance performance and reliability in industrial systems. This exhibition covers everything from robotics to sensors, motors and drives, offering solutions for improving manufacturing processes across sectors.

Air-Tech and Fluid Power and Systems Zones

Drives and Controls is also home to two specialised zones: Air-Tech and Fluid Power and Systems. Exhibitors will highlight product areas such as air compressors, pneumatics, hydraulics, and high-precision sensors, with a focus on improving efficiency and system reliability. Many of the exhibitors in these zones will be focused on balancing the reduction of environmental impact with enhanced performance. 

Located within a single hall, all these events are seamlessly integrated, allowing visitors to move between them. 

Free-to-Attend Solutions Theatres

The educational programme at Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 has been developed in response to extensive research around the critical challenges facing manufacturers and engineers today. The seven Solutions Theatres will cover a range of key topics coming from that research, including Digital Transformation, Industrial Data and AI, IIoT and Connectivity, Design and Innovation, Automation and Robotics, Leadership and Strategy, Maintenance, and a new Technology Showcase Arena. Each of these theatres will deliver practical, actionable insights that manufacturers can apply directly to improve their operations.

As mentioned above a session of note will be presented by Henrik von Scheel. He will take the stage in the Design and Innovation Theatre on the morning of the 4 June (Day 1) to present on The Future of Manufacturing: Megatrends that Shape the Next Decade. In this session, he will examine the key megatrends that will dominate the manufacturing landscape in the years ahead, including smart automation, AI integration and the evolving dynamics of the workforce. Going onto discuss how manufacturers can capitalise on these shifts to boost productivity, resilience, and sustainable growth. His insights offer a valuable look at the forces that will transform the industry, making this a must-attend for those looking to stay ahead in the fast-evolving manufacturing landscape. 

Focusing on the topics that matter most to the industry right now, the Solutions Theatres will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage with experts, gain a deeper understanding of emerging technologies, expand their industry insights and learn how to implement strategies to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure competitiveness in the rapidly changing industrial landscape.

The full educational programme is published elsewhere in this preview.

Addressing the Skills Gap

The UK manufacturing sector faces an urgent skills shortage, with 97% of manufacturers in 2024 identifying hiring and retaining skilled workers as a major challenge. This issue is compounded by the rapid pace of digitalisation, as businesses increasingly require expertise in automation, AI, and data analytics. Research also shows that 80% of manufacturers struggle to find workers with the necessary digital skills, making workforce development a pressing concern.

At Smart Manufacturing Week 2025, workforce development is a central theme, with ‘People and Skills’ forming one of the five core pillars of the event. By offering insights into the strategies and initiatives being implemented to attract and train the next generation of engineers, as well as upskill existing employees, Smart Manufacturing Week will be a source of answers to the tough problems the industry is grappling with.

Part of this includes a focus on how companies can bridge the skills gap through hands-on training and by fostering a culture of continuous learning. Two standout talks will directly address these issues. First, Scott McManus, programme manager at Leonardo, will present Drive Business Value through Insights - The Leonardo Production System, a case study on Leonardo’s digital transformation journey, highlighting how businesses can drive change by engaging and inspiring digital ownership within an organisation. His session will explore the business-led approach to embedding a digital culture, sharing real world experience for visitors aiming to inspire future business growth and tackle skills shortages.

Additionally, Daniel Simkiss, Industry 4.0 programme lead at British Sugar, will focus on data analytics and AI in manufacturing. His presentation, Data Analytics and Insights for Decision-Making will cover how businesses can use data to optimise operations and make smarter decisions, while emphasising the importance of equipping employees with data-driven decision-making skills. This session will be particularly valuable for manufacturers seeking to upskill their workforce to meet the demands of an increasingly data-driven industry.  

For more information: 

www.smartmanufacturingweek.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8947 9177