Time to plan for mach 2020

The expansion of the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) from £200,000 to £1m kicked in at the start of January 2019. This will make investing in new equipment at MACH 2020 more cost-effective for most visitors.

The Manufacturing Technologies Association who organise MACH on behalf of industry was pleased to see that the recent Budget announcement included the expansion of the AIA. Between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021, businesses can invest up to £1m annually in qualifying “plant and machinery” assets and obtain 100% tax relief. This was a specific ‘ask’ from the MTA and will directly benefit companies investing in new equipment at MACH 2020.

MACH 2020 is shaping up to once again be the UK’s largest manufacturing technology showcase. In 2018 the show delivered for its exhibitors, with a 5% increase in trade visitors. In the post-show questionnaire of exhibitors, 95% of respondents said that they had generated leads for their sales team to follow-up post-show; 77% of exhibitors reported improved customer relations over the course of the show; and 80% of exhibitors raised their company profile by attending the exhibition.

The show provides exhibitors with a real return on their investment by delivering an engaged audience with real purchasing power. The last edition of the show has already had upwards of £200 million worth of business attributed to it.

The next edition of the show is looking to build on that success and with the rise in AIA, companies will be able to invest new manufacturing technology to improve their business.

James Fudge, Head of Events for the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), said: “The rise in the Annual Investment Allowance is great news for our members, exhibitors and visitors alike. This was a specific ask from the MTA and we believe it will stimulate business investment in the economy.

“We already create a great environment for businesses to thrive at MACH, and we know the expansion of the AIA will make investing in new technology even easier.”

MACH remains the market leader because of the amount of live working machinery running at the show and the fact it has the widest selection of equipment on display. MACH 2020 will take place between 20^th – 24^th April at the NEC in Birmingham and it is now the right time for manufacturing technologies suppliers to start formulating their plans for how they’re planning to be there.