UK excellence in innovation and technology

An exciting new conference will feature some of the biggest names in UK manufacturing and highlight excellence in innovation and technology.

The Engineer Conference will include high-level speakers from blue chip engineering organisations – including Jaguar Land Rover, Astrium, BAE Systems and Airbus – and pioneers and innovators in fields ranging from additive manufacturing and plastic electronics to manufacturing in space and the creation of Team GB’s Olympic-medal-winning carbon fibre bikes.

The Conference runs alongside the Subcon and Advanced Manufacturing Shows on 4 & 5 June at the NEC, Birmingham. It will provide a unique snapshot of the diversity of UK industry and give visitors valuable insight into the manufacturing and innovation strategies of some of the UK’s most exciting engineering organisations.
Each day starts with a keynote address setting the scene for the following sessions.

Subcontracting drives UK success

More and more UK manufacturers are turning to subcontracting to build their business and expand their markets, says a leading Subcon exhibitor.

Tony Hague, chairman of the Midlands Assembly Network (MAN), says: “MAN has been exhibiting at Subcon since 2010 and, in that time, we have seen a trend for people to subcontract more of their activities.

“This has been key for UK manufacturers to compete globally, allowing them to invest in core competencies and sub out none-core activities and skills.”

This is good news for MAN, says Mr Hague: “Our business model is one of collaborative and complementary engineering and production skills and therefore is suited to this trend.”

First established in 2006, the Midlands Assembly Network is made up of ten members, including Advanced Chemical Etching, Alucast, Brandauer, Barkley Plastics, FW Cables, Grove Design, Mec-Com, PP Electrical Systems, SMT Developments and Westley Engineering – all of whom will be exhibiting at Subcon.

Three cutting-edge manufacturing events in one this June

Three unrivalled brands come together to create the most anticipated manufacturing event of the year when leading industry exhibition Subcon returns to the NEC on 4 to 6 June alongside the Advanced Manufacturing Show, a new event from the UK’s leading production magazine MWP, and The Engineer Conference, highlighting new ideas and ground breaking technologies.

Grant Burgham, Business Development and Portfolio Director at Centaur Exhibitions, said: “These events will provide a clear focus for excellence in manufacturing technology and services. They will be a critical destination for engineers, sourcing teams and manufacturing management across all sectors and disciplines.”

The Engineer Conference will showcase some of the most compelling and inspiring examples of manufacturing technology from both the UK's established and emerging engineering sectors.