From factory floor hacks to future trends: Smart Manufacturing Week 2026

SMART MANUFACTURING Week (SMW), the UK's largest annual celebration of manufacturing and engineering, returns to the NEC Birmingham on 3-4 June 2026. Bringing together a powerhouse portfolio of events - Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives and Controls and Design + Engineering Expo - SMW once again promises to be the focal point for innovation, insight and industry collaboration.

Building on the success of 2025, which welcomed more than 13,500 visitors alongside 450+ exhibitors and over 200 speakers, Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 is set to be even bigger and more ambitious. With increased international participation expected, the event will deliver an expanded showcase of technologies, ideas and expertise shaping the future of manufacturing. 

Reflecting on last year’s success, Chris Allen, marketing manager of Smart Manufacturing Week, noted the event’s unique value in the market: "Smart Manufacturing Week brings the industry together each year - not just to showcase technology, but to share ideas, solve problems and genuinely connect. It’s a place where conversations spark innovation.

SMW 2026 will feature a strong lineup of leading global organisations including Beckhoff, Solutions PT, Epicor, Ericsson, Produtech, FANUC, Sage and many more. Alongside many other major industry players, the exhibition floor will provide a comprehensive view of the technologies driving manufacturing forward.

The Five Pillars of Smart Manufacturing Week 

Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 has identified 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 2026 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. 

Digitalisation: Across manufacturing and engineering businesses of all sizes the path to digitalisation is at the very heart of future strategy. 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 2026 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.

Show features

Innovation Alley: Start-ups shaping the sector

A highlight of Smart Manufacturing Week, Innovation Alley offers a glimpse into the future of manufacturing by showcasing some of the most promising start-ups and disruptive small businesses in the sector. 

Located at the heart of Smart Factory Expo, this dynamic space will feature exciting exhibitors all falling into at least one of four categories. People will highlight advancements in workforce management, training and employee wellbeing, while ‘Product’ will focus on innovation in design, R&D and materials. Process will explore developments in productivity, resilience, AI and supply chain optimisation, and Planet will put the spotlight on sustainable manufacturing, energy management and net zero strategies. Manufacturers and engineers with an eye on the future will find Innovation Alley a rewarding space to explore, offering a first look at the technologies and ideas that could play a key role in shaping the industry's future. 

Factory of the Future: Digital transformation in action

New for 2026 is Factory of the Future, a fully immersive, walk-through demonstrator bringing connected, intelligent and sustainable manufacturing to life. Visitors will be able to see live, hands-on demonstrations of robotics, AI, digital twins and predictive maintenance working together to make transformation tangible and bridge the gap between ambition and implementation.

Fight Fest: Robotics meets competition

Another dynamic new feature for 2026 is Fight Fest, a competitive element located within the Drives and Controls section. Taking place on the AccuBots stand, this high-energy robot fighting competition is aligned with automation and robotics, a core event theme.

Designed to encourage engagement and hands-on experience in engineering, the event will see students from across the UK competing with custom-made robots, alongside professional teams live over the two days.

While undoubtedly a fun feature of the show floor, Fight Fest showcases the need to engage and develop the next generation of engineers who must be proficient in mechanical design, programming and prototyping to meet the demands of the smart factories of the future. 

A comprehensive education programme

Education remains central to Smart Manufacturing Week, with a free programme delivered across seven solutions theatres. Topics include Digital Transformation, Industrial Data and AI, IIoT and Connectivity, Design and Innovation, Automation and Robotics, Leadership and Strategy and Maintenance. 

SMW 2026 will also continue its commitment to inspiring the next generation through its dedicated STEM Programme. Hundreds of students and apprentices will engage directly with industry professionals, gaining hands-on exposure to careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering.

Alongside the main exhibition, a series of high-profile satellite events will return, including the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. The two-day summit unites senior leaders from across the UK’s manufacturing sector to solve pressing industry challenges and unlock the full potential of digital technologies for productivity, efficiency, and growth.

At Smart Manufacturing Week, the festival vibe comes alive with live performances throughout, unexpected surprises, and immersive visuals - all designed to inspire, entertain, and connect attendees. 

In 2025, SMW welcomed Guether Steiner, former boss of the Haas Formula 1 team and star of the Netflix Drive To Survive series, as the exhibition’s keynote. It was standing room only as Guenther shared his experiences, approaches and advice on everything from managing data, to managing egos.

2026 will be no different and the SMW team has lined up an equally compelling, show-stopping keynote for this year’s show that will have audiences flocking. Watch this space.

Smart Tank: Empowering innovators  

For those with entrepreneurial ambitions, this year’s event will once again see the return of the Smart Tank feature. 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. 

"Smart Tank felt like a mini Dragon’s Den and I really liked being bombarded with zero nonsense questions by industry veterans who have seen many businesses and know what works. It was so enjoyable to have that fast paced interaction,” said Niccolò Corsini, company founder, CEO of 2025 Smart Tank winner Logidot. 

The returning Ambassador Programme will also be expanded for 2026, offering exclusive networking time for individuals passionate about driving change to connect, collaborate and tackle today’s most pressing challenges together. Furthermore, Smart Manufacturing Week will provide a dedicated networking platform with the ability to arrange 1-2-1 meetings. Supported by additional matchmaking services and on-site assistance, this tool aims to overcome the challenge of finding the most relevant contacts at a large-scale trade show. 

Free-to-Attend Solutions Theatres 

The educational programme at Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 has been developed in response to extensive research about the critical challenges facing manufacturers and engineers today. The seven Solutions Theatres will cover a range of key topics coming from that research:

Leadership and Strategy

Four streams explore workforce development and upskilling; sustainability and circular economy strategies; supply chain resilience; and sales and marketing.

Digital Transformation

Sessions explore smart factories and connected ecosystems; digital twins and virtual commissioning; integrating legacy systems with new platforms; leadership and change management in digital rollouts; and measuring ROI and unlocking long-term digital value.

Maintenance

Focusing on predictive, preventive and prescriptive maintenance, alongside condition monitoring, sensors, and diagnostics; CMMS/EAM integration and analytics; extending asset life and optimising maintenance strategies; and downtime prevention and energy-aware maintenance.

Connected Production

Exploring Industrial IoT connectivity, MES and SCADA integration; robotics and cobots in dynamic environments; machine-to-machine communication and automation control; OT/IT convergence for secure data flow; edge AI and distributed decision-making; and cyber-physical systems, cloud, and digital infrastructure.

AI and Industrial Data

Addressing industrial data strategy and governance; AI for predictive maintenance, process optimisation, and quality assurance; computer vision, NLP, and generative AI use cases; responsible AI: explainability, bias, and transparency; and building AI-ready cultures and teams.

Product Innovation and Design

Covering advanced materials, 3D printing, and additive manufacturing; simulation, virtual prototyping, and agile design cycles; human-centred design and usability in industrial products; and eco-design, lifecycle thinking, and design for disassembly.

Manufacturers and Engineers of the Future

Highlighting apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and early-career opportunities; STEM inspiration through schools and higher education partnerships; innovation showcases from young engineers and student teams; career pathways in digital, green, and advanced manufacturing; and mentorship, skills development, and industry-led training initiatives.

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.

But don’t take our word for it

"Over 13,000 attendees made for a great atmosphere and demonstrated the enthusiasm we have in the UK for manufacturing. I love attending these events for many reasons, but none more so than learning. The keynote speaker lineup was fantastic and I’m looking forward to SMW 2026 already."

Nicky Carlton, founder of ERA Recruit 

"I went down to the NEC to go and visit the Smart Manufacturing week expo for the first time this year, and I was really surprised about how different this event felt. The atmosphere made it feel less like an industry show and more of a social experience! The talks were brilliant, and the mix of larger and smaller businesses meant there was something for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, there was a lot to see but the atmosphere made the show feel much more intimate than the size of hall 5 would allow you to believe. I had some great conversations with businesspeople and really enjoyed the day. Needless to say, I already have the dates in my calendar for 2026."

Sarah Steinhoefel, client AI implementation manager, TwentyFour IT Services 

"A huge congratulations to the organisers for putting on an outstanding exhibition. The energy and engagement was excellent, and it was inspiring to see so many innovative solutions and passionate professionals under one roof. The incredible buzz at Smart Manufacturing Week paints a positive picture for the future of UK manufacturing. Great to see!" 

Jon Tudor, managing director, True North Excellence 

For more information:

www.smartmanufacturingweek.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 8947 9177