Showcase for Northern industrial expertise

The event very much reflects the profile of manufacturing industry in the North. Important regional activities include aerospace, automotive and public transportation, medical technology and advanced electronics, which in turn provide for a great number of second and third tier suppliers. A new feature for 2015 – RoadRailAir – is designed to reflect the importance of these industries to the region. They are, however, by no means,  the only aspects of the North’s very active manufacturing economy, which includes some of the biggest food and beverage and pharmabio manufacturing businesses in the country. 

In addition to vendors – large and small – from a broad cross section of manufacturing and production engineering, the show’s free technical seminar programme  provides a compelling reason to attend. Presenters from a variety of organisations will speak on a broad range of technical and operational topics in a series of hour-long sessions running over both days of the show.

The North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) is the key organisation for the aerospace industry in the North West, and its Chief Executive, Dr. David Bailey, will present one of the keynote sessions of the 2015 programme, entitled Technology Opportunities and Challenges in the Aerospace Supply Chain. The NWAA is also represented in the exhibition area, providing an excellent opportunity to make contact with this influential organisation.

Wayne Kite of Stanford Marsh will deliver an overview of the emerging technology of 3D Printing and some case studies illustrating how it can be employed in almost limitless applications in manufacturing. Alistair Williamson of Lucid Innovation will explore how additive manufacturing is literally shaping the future of manufacturing across a wide range of sectors, from food and beverage, to aerospace and medical technology. 

Innovation is vital in manufacturing industry. Alistair Williamson hosts a second session looking at the innovation process, from spotting opportunity and market research through to effective prototyping and design. Peter Roberts, a chartered patent attorney with Marks & Clerk LLP, will explain how to maximise return on R&D investment by capturing and protecting product designs.

Ailsa Kaye of Onsite Insights takes an in-depth look at best practice in manufacturing, drawing lessons in innovation, design, cost-efficiency and delivery from world-class companies and showing how they can be applied in any business to improve competitive advantage. Tim Scurlock of Automotive Lean Consulting will take a practical look at how Lean concepts can be employed to improve manufacturing efficiency. Mike Foster of the CE Marking Association looks at the latest legislative environment affecting manufacturers.

The Salford and Trafford Engineering Group Training Association, STEGTA, has been helping firms and young people into apprenticeship schemes since 1966 and is recognised by Ofsted as one of the leading training providers in the country. John Whitby and Ian Parker of STEGTA will show how apprentice schemes can benefit your business and provide an overview of government-supported training schemes.

The show is also a key marketplace for local firms looking to invest in machinery and production equipment. With so many big-name suppliers running live demonstrations during the event, visitors hoping to see the most recent machining centres and production automation systems in action aren't going to be disappointed. Amada UK returns again this year with its highly popular HFE MKII 1303 long stroke press brake. Bystronic presents its Xpert 40 at Northern 2015; new pressbrake with a compact design that enables users to bend small parts fast and cost-effectively. Renishaw will be exhibiting a range of advanced engineering technologies, including machine tool probing systems, its pioneering additive manufacturing (metal 3D printing) systems, the Equator versatile gauging system, and a new range of modular metrology fixturing. 

On the works management and maintenance side, there are a number of firms providing industrial cleaning, industrial consumables, components, machine services, fixings, stock control products and many more.

Entry to Northern Manufacturing and Electronics 2015 is free to business visitors. To register, simply visit www.industrynorth.co.uk.