Why Manufacturing & Engineering Week Is Essential
Every year, the UK’s industrial landscape faces challenges—from supply chain volatility and skills shortages to sustainability demands and digital transformation. Manufacturing & Engineering Week stands at the heart of this evolving ecosystem, uniting smart factory technologies, design breakthroughs, maintenance insights, fluid power, automotive engineering, aero-composites, and more into one powerful event.
As the co-located flagship event alongside Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls, Fluid Power & Systems, Air‑Tech, and Design & Engineering Expo, it brings together over 13,000 professionals, 450+ exhibitors, and 200+ expert speakers to share ideas, forge partnerships, and shape the future of British manufacturing.
When and Where
Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2025 will be held at the NEC Birmingham on 4th–5th June, occupying Hall 5, a dedicated festival space for automation, innovation, designs, and engineering excellence .
- Day 1 (4 June): 09:30–17:00 (VIP entry from 09:00), followed by a networking drinks reception
- Day 2 (5 June): 09:30–16:00 (VIP entry from 09:00)
This compact structure ensures focused access to the latest in manufacturing and engineering under one roof.
Entry and Registration
Attendance is free for industry professionals, though pre-registration is mandatory. Your digital badge grants access to all exhibition halls, live sessions, technical theatres, networking receptions, and optional parking savings when booked in advance.
Travel and Accommodation
Getting There
The NEC is adjacent to Birmingham International Station, linked to the airport via a free Air‑Rail shuttle. Major motorways (M42, M6, M5) also offer easy car access—pre-booked parking can save several pounds.
Nearby Stays
Options range from on-site hotels like Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Voco St John’s, Manor Hotel Meriden/Windmill Village, to budget-friendly chains such as Premier Inn and Holiday Inn. City centre hotels are also quickly reachable by train or road . Book early, as June is a busy season for the NEC.
What You’ll See
1. Diverse Technology Ecosystem
The co-located format spans six key areas:
- Smart Factory Expo – Automation, robotics, digital twins, AI
- Design & Engineering Expo – Prototyping, CAD/CAM, materials
- Maintec – Predictive maintenance and reliability engineering
- Drives & Controls – Motion systems, power transmission, safety
- Fluid Power & Systems – Pneumatics, hydraulics, energy efficiency
- Air‑Tech Zone – Industrial air and gas applications
This allows visitors to cross between specialties and curate focused visits .
2. Expert Conference Content
Over 150 technical sessions and keynotes cover topics such as Industry 4.0 rollouts, net-zero strategies, supply-chain resilience, automation ROI, and workforce development. Panels include leaders from technology vendors, OEMs, and government bodies .
3. Live Demonstrations
Hands-on demo areas—featuring Smart Tank pitches, equipment trial zones, and live maintenance showcases—allow attendees to test innovation in real scenarios.
4. Innovation Alley & Summit
Discover breakthrough solutions in a startup-driven showcase, and network with senior leaders in exclusive roundtables discussing digital transformation imperatives .
Benefits of Attending
Comprehensive Exposure
Explore multiple domains—automation, engineering, power systems, maintenance—all in one visit. It’s unmatched in scope.
Accelerated Learning
Absorb practical case studies and ROI insights across sectors that directly impact operations.
Networking Power
With thousands of professionals and exclusive receptions, the week fosters high-value connections with buyers, suppliers, and strategists .
Innovation Pipeline
See conferences like Smart Tank and Innovation Alley showcase disruptive technologies primed for scale.
Resource Efficiency
By consolidating multiple industry events into one, attendees gain access to both breadth and depth in solutions—saving time and money.
Preparation Tips
- Register early and pre-book parking
- Use the online agenda to personalize visits to zones and sessions
- Group visits around themes—automation, maintenance, design
- Bring business cards or digital contact tools and note-taking devices
- Arrive early to demo zones and premium sessions
- Attend the networking reception to engage informally with peers
- Collect brochures and digital follow-up resources
- Follow up swiftly with contacts and review insights post-event
Who Should Attend
- CEOs and senior executives in manufacturing
- Production, process, and maintenance engineers
- Operations and plant managers
- Design and R&D engineers
- Automation and control systems specialists
- Procurement and supply-chain professionals
- Sustainability and lifecycle strategists
- Technology startup founders
- Educational and training providers
Final Thoughts
Manufacturing & Engineering Week 2025 is more than an industry event—it’s a powerful movement. In two days at NEC Birmingham, professionals gain clarity on where technology meets operations, meet the people who deliver impact, and discover solutions that could define the next decade of UK industrial progress.
If your role touches any part of the manufacturing and engineering value chain, attending this event is not just valuable—it could redefine your roadmap.
Visit and book your tickets here: https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.com/manufacturing-engineering-week