MACH 2024 Review


MACH 2024 IS HAILED A ROARING SUCCESS


in the manufacturing sector. Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP - Secretary


of State for Science, Innovation and Technology delivered a keynote speech on Tuesday which included a fascinating insight into thinking behind current and future UK Government policy and how this aligns with both the immediate and future needs of UK manufacturing. Her speech covered the following


M


points: The UK Government wants to build on the innovative reputation of the UK through supporting investment in advancing technologies such as AI. The Government recognises the power of AI and wants to harness this power but is mindful that security and safety are of paramount importance in this technology. The Government places particular


ACH 2024, the UK’s national event for inspiring, innovating, and connecting manufacturing,


has once again been hailed as a triumph, with thousands of visitors filling the five halls at the NEC in Birmingham over the weeklong show in April. The 2024 edition of the exhibition saw a 6% increase in the number of visitors meaning the full attendance of the event is rapidly approaching 30,000 people. The halls were abuzz with excitement and anticipation each day, with exhibitors showcasing their latest cutting-edge engineering- based manufacturing technologies and solutions, including enthralling demonstrations and product launches. Owned and organised by the


Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), and sponsored by Lloyds Bank, MACH is recognised as an industry leading event that brings together the very best suppliers of machine tools, cutting tools, metrology equipment, additive manufacturing (3D printing), surface engineering, robotics and automation, sheet metal, metal forming and fabrication technology, and specialist software which is both enabling and driving the digitisation of manufacturing. Once again, MACH provided an


invaluable opportunity for buyers and visitors to see the latest products and technologies from an impressive line- up of over 500 exhibitors. The show delivered impressive results with a record number of business transactions during the weeklong show. Throughout MACH 2024 the


exhibition halls were vibrant with live demonstrations, product launches and inspiring seminars taking place. Monday was a hugely successful


opening day at MACH 2024. A highlight of the day one seminar programme was the launch of the MTA’s latest ‘True Impact of Manufacturing Report’ which revealed the significant positive impact that manufacturing is having on the UK economy, which is far greater than first thought. Key findings of the report included: Manufacturing accounts for £518 billion of UK GDP and supports 7.3 million jobs; ‘Making things’ accounts for 34.5% of all UK goods and services exports; and the Median wage in manufacturing is 11% above the national average. The report provides an extremely


comprehensive overview of what the UK makes, the complex nature of the UK’s supply chains and the economic benefit gained from the spending of wages by those employed


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importance on skills and upskilling the workforce to ensure that individuals are not confined to a single industry. The Government also recognises the role that apprenticeships can play in ensuring a skilled workforce. It is important that there are defined apprenticeship pathways to attract young people to take up the apprenticeships as a viable alternative to the traditional further education route. The Minister’s speech aligned well with


the MTA’s new knowledge hubs that were launched at MACH 2024. The five hubs were automation & robotics, sustainable solutions, additive manufacturing, consumable tooling and AI & data. They provided visitors opportunities to learn how to implement new technologies into existing manufacturing processes. MACH 2026 will take place between


20 to 24 April at NEC Birmingham. www.machexhibition.com


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