FEATURE Smart Manufacturing Week
SHOWCASING THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION
Returning to the NEC on the 3rd and 4th June, Smart Manufacturing Week is a meeting point for ideas, technologies and innovation in the manufacturing industry
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mart Manufacturing Week returns to the NEC Birmingham on 3-4 June 2026, bringing together manufacturers, engineers,
technology suppliers and industry leaders for what has become the UK’s largest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering. Organised by ‘The Manufacturer’, the event is designed to showcase the technologies, ideas and partnerships shaping the future of industry.
The event will combine exhibitions,
conferences, live demonstrations and networking opportunities into a two- day celebration of industrial innovation. This year’s edition is expected to build on the momentum of previous events, with organisers highlighting expanded international participation, a broader technology showcase and an even greater focus on practical digital transformation. At the centre of the event is Smart Manufacturing Week itself, which brings together several co-located exhibitions under one roof. These include the Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls and the Design + Engineering Expo. Together, they create a comprehensive overview of today’s manufacturing landscape, covering everything from automation and robotics to maintenance, cybersecurity, AI and sustainable production.
Smart Factory Expo remains one of the major attractions for visitors looking to accelerate digital transformation projects. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, the exhibition will showcase technologies including industrial AI, robotics, additive manufacturing, ERP systems, IIoT platforms and digital manufacturing solutions. Organisers say the event is aimed at helping manufacturers become
34 May 2026 | Automation
more efficient, resilient and sustainable while providing direct access to suppliers and technology experts.
Meanwhile, Maintec will once again focus on maintenance, reliability and asset management. As the UK’s only exhibition dedicated specifically to maintenance engineering, it will highlight condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, asset management software and plant reliability technologies designed to improve uptime and operational efficiency.
Beyond the exhibition halls, Smart Manufacturing Week is expected to feature more than 200 speakers across multiple conference theatres, covering the most pressing issues facing industry today. Topics dominating discussions include industrial AI, digital twins, energy efficiency, workforce development, cybersecurity and the continued convergence of IT and operational technology. The wider manufacturing sector is increasingly focused on moving digitalisation projects from pilot stages into scalable, measurable operations – a trend reflected across global industrial events in 2026.
The event also aims to maintain its festival atmosphere, something that has helped distinguish it from more traditional trade exhibitions. Organisers are promising live demonstrations, networking receptions, entertainment, interactive experiences and
the return of attractions such as robot battle competitions. Innovation Alley and the Best of British Showcase are also expected to provide platforms for emerging technologies, start-ups and homegrown engineering success stories. For visitors, Smart Manufacturing Week offers an opportunity to see the latest technologies in action while connecting with peers across the manufacturing ecosystem. Organisers expect more than 13,500 attendees and over 450 exhibitors, ranging from multinational automation suppliers to specialist engineering firms and software providers.
Education and skills development will also
feature prominently. The event is continuing its outreach to apprentices, students and educators, with dedicated sessions designed to encourage future talent into manufacturing and engineering careers. According to organisers, this remains a key priority as manufacturers continue to face skills shortages across engineering and digital disciplines. As manufacturers continue navigating the challenges of productivity, sustainability and digital transformation, Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 is positioning itself as a central meeting point for the ideas, technologies and collaborations driving the next phase of industrial innovation in the UK.
Smart Manufacturing Week
www.smartmanufacturingweek.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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