What Makes Smart Manufacturing Week a Must-Attend
Smart Manufacturing Week is the UK’s largest and most important festival dedicated to the future of industry. Celebrating digital manufacturing, AI-led systems, and automation, this event brings together professionals—engineers, operations managers, maintenance leaders, robotics specialists, and executives—all converging to explore cutting-edge tools and strategies that define the next generation of industrial competitiveness
Co-located with Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls, Design + Engineering Expo, Air-Tech, and Fluid Power Zones, Smart Manufacturing Week is a multi-layered industrial experience. It offers broad insights across factory digitalisation, asset management, IIoT, robotics, drives, controls, and design innovation—all under one roof.
Venue and Dates
This year’s event takes place at NEC Birmingham on 4th and 5th June 2025. Exhibition halls open at 09:30 for VIPs (10:00 for standard access) and run until 17:00 on Day One and 16:00 on Day Two. A networking drinks reception follows the opening day, making it much more than just a visit—it’s an experience.
Free Entry and Registration Tips
Entry to Smart Manufacturing Week is free following online registration. Your badge grants access to all co‑located exhibitions, live demos, technical sessions, networking events, and optional parking discounts when booked in advance.
Accommodation and Transport
Located adjacent to Birmingham International Station and connected to Birmingham Airport, the NEC is extremely accessible. On-site parking is available and pre-bookable. Nearby hotels include the Hilton Metropole, Voco St. John’s, Manor Hotel Meriden/Windmill Village, and several mid-range chains such as Premier Inn and Ibis—all within a short walk or shuttle ride.
What You’ll See and Experience
1. Immense Showcase of Technology
With over 450 exhibitors, you can explore everything from automation, robotics, drives, and controls to additive manufacturing, metrology, data analytics, and digital solutions—gathering insights in one powerful visit.
2. Thought Leadership & Expert Keynotes
The Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit runs alongside the exhibition, delivering over 150 conference sessions on AI strategy, digital twins, Industry 4.0, asset reliability, and more—led by representatives from major manufacturers and sector leaders.
3. Live Demonstrations & Tech Showcase Zones
Through Smart Factory Expo and Innovation Alley, expect hands-on demos featuring robotics, digital verification, connected devices, drives, and control systems. This year’s “Smart Tank” pitch stage spotlights entrepreneurial automation solutions launching live on stage.
4. Drives & Controls Pavilion
A dedicated space celebrating the latest in motion control, energy efficiency, pneumatic systems, machine safety, and industrial power—essential for precision manufacturing.
5. Maintec Asset Management Content
An established fixture for predictive maintenance, reliability, and asset management, Maintec continues to deliver technical guidance for uptime optimisation.
6. Design + Engineering Insights
Ideal for R&D professionals, this space showcases innovative product design, prototyping, materials, and engineering excellence solutions.
Why Attend: Core Benefits
Discover Cutting‑Edge Innovation
From digital twins and IIoT to predictive maintenance and smart robotics, attendees can preview and test technologies before they reach mainstream adoption.
Learn from Real-World Case Studies
Keynotes and summits feature presentations from leading manufacturers sharing how they’ve implemented AI, robotics, and digital systems—providing directly applicable intelligence for attendees .
Network Strategically
A curated platform with 13,000+ attendees, including senior technical decision-makers, ensures meaningful connections across the industrial value chain .
Save Time and Resources
Combining multiple specialist exhibitions in one event reduces travel time and expense—uniting automation, maintenance, engineering, and asset management under one banner.
Support the Next Generation
A dedicated STEM programme involving schools, apprentices, and young engineers ensures engagement with future talent. Additionally, the event operates as a carbon-neutral initiative with a tree planted per attendee.
Top Visitor Tips
- Register early to secure smart parking, VIP access, and seat reservations in high-demand sessions.
- Plan your agenda by exploring exhibitor lists, session topics, and demo schedules in advance.
- Identify priority zones, such as Smart Factory, Drives & Controls, Maintec, and Design + Engineering.
- Bring essentials, such as tablet/laptop, charger, notebook, scanner for QR codes, comfortable shoes.
- Join networking drinks on Day One for relaxed conversation with peers, buyers, and suppliers.
- Participate in the STEM or SmarTank sessions for a look into emerging trends and entrepreneurship.
- Download digital assets or follow-up catalogues—supplier websites are often updated post-show.
- Follow up promptly with contacts after the event to cement leads, partnerships, or quotes.
Who Should Attend
Smart Manufacturing Week caters to:
- Operations managers and production leads
- Maintenance and asset reliability engineers
- Automation and control system specialists
- R&D and design engineers
- Supply‑chain, procurement, and buyer professionals
- Engineers in aerospace, automotive, rail, electronics, energy, and medical sectors
- Digitalisation strategists and sustainability leaders
Final Thoughts
Smart Manufacturing Week stands out as the UK’s primary festival for the connected industrial future. By bringing together AI, robotics, maintenance technology, smart controls, and engineering excellence under one event, it’s where the next generation of industrial competitiveness is shaped.
If you’re charged with driving innovation, reliability, or digital transformation in manufacturing, visiting NEC Birmingham on 4–5 June 2025 could be one of the most impactful career and strategic moves you make all year.
Visit and book your tickets here: https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.com