Smart Manufacturing Week 2025: innovation, education and fun

Smart Manufacturing Week returns to Birmingham’s NEC on 4 and 5 June 2025, bringing together the UK’s manufacturing and engineering community for two days of innovation, insight, collaboration and, dare we say it, fun!

The event combines four major exhibitions – Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Design and Engineering Expo and Drives and Controls – which also houses the Air-Tech and Fluid Power and Systems zones. The result is a full-spectrum view of the technologies and trends driving modern industry.

With digital transformation, AI and workforce skills challenges to the fore, this year’s event helps manufacturers tackle change with confidence. From advanced automation and robotics to essential maintenance and asset management, the event delivers both future vision and practical know-how.

In addition to showcasing technical innovations, a strong lineup of speakers from across industry and academia will share the ideas and strategies shaping manufacturing today and preparing it for what comes next.

Impressive educational agenda

Smart Manufacturing Week’s educational programme has been carefully curated using in-depth research by The Manufacturer to highlight the topics that those working in manufacturing really want to hear about. Across seven themed theatres, visitors will find sessions that explore Digital Transformation, Industrial Data and AI, IIoT and Connectivity, Design and Innovation, Automation and Robotics, Leadership and Strategy, and Maintenance. One session not to miss will be presented by Professor Henrik von Scheel, also known as the ‘Godfather of Industry 4.0’. He will take the stage in the Design & Innovation Theatre on the morning of 4 June to present on The Future of Manufacturing: Megatrends that Shape the Next Decade.

In this session, he will examine the megatrends that he believes will dominate the manufacturing landscape in the years ahead. His insights offer a valuable look at the forces that will transform the sector, making this a mustattend for those looking to stay ahead.

Another standout session comes from Daniel Simkiss, Industry 4.0 Programme Lead at British Sugar. In his talk, Data Analytics and Insights for Decision-Making, he will cover how businesses can use data to optimise operations and make smarter decisions, while emphasising the importance of equipping employees with data-driven decision-making skills. This session will be particularly valuable for manufacturers seeking to upskill their workforce to meet the demands of an increasingly datadriven industry.

This year’s programme also places greater emphasis on discussion and debate. The panel session, The Innovation Imperative: Staying Competitive in a Rapidly Changing Manufacturing Landscape, will explore how manufacturers can stay competitive by embedding a culture of continuous improvement.

Led by Nick Kemp, Head of Design – X50 at Brompton Bicycles, the session will consider how to respond to shifting market expectations and successfully integrate new technologies. The topic is particularly pertinent given the current climate shaped by Brexit, the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing changes to global trade and tariffs.

According to Grace Gilling, Event Director, balancing technical depth and leadership insight has been a key focus for the educational programme. “We’ve put a huge focus on curation, ensuring that manufacturing end-user keynotes are scheduled so they don’t compete with one another, and that there’s the right balance of leadership insights and technical deep dives.”

Expert-led insights

At Smart Manufacturing Week 2025, the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) will play a key role, hosting a series of masterclasses designed to address some of the most pressing challenges in the manufacturing sector. As the Knowledge Partner of the event, IfM will deliver expert-led sessions at the IfM Theatre, offering a unique, free-of-charge opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical solutions in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, industrial safety, and diversity and inclusion.

The masterclasses will cover several critical topics such as navigating the journey to net zero, enhancing industrial safety, developing digital skills in SMEs and fostering inclusive leadership. These sessions are crafted to provide actionable strategies and frameworks, equipping attendees with the tools needed to tackle these complex issues head-on. Notably, IfM’s masterclasses will be interactive, with participants working through challenges together in a collaborative environment guided by experienced industrial practitioners.

IfM will also be highlighting the Global Industry Safety Manifesto, calling for a collective industry effort to enhance worker safety through technology and best practices and Professor Tim Minshall, Head of IfM, will discuss insights from his new book Your Life is Manufactured, with an aim to inspire manufacturers to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in innovation and sustainability. “The book has received excellent reviews, with The Times describing it as fascinating”, said David Lott, Chief Executive Officer at IfM Engage, the knowledge transfer arm of the IfM, “Tim is a fantastic speaker, so we expect the talk to be busy.”

Places at IfM Masterclasses are limited, and pre-booking is required. These free-to-attend sessions are an invaluable opportunity for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of the latest trends and best practices in manufacturing.

Spotlighting tomorrow’s talent

Smart Manufacturing Week is once again putting the spotlight on the next generation of engineers and manufacturers. This year, the ‘Manufacturers and Engineers of the Future’ initiative has been expanded to welcome school-age students, offering them the opportunity to engage directly with people working in the sector across a myriad of roles.

Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world insights, students and apprentices will get the chance to take a closer look at the advanced technologies driving modern manufacturing, which can help to spark their interest in STEM careers and broaden their understanding of the sector’s opportunities.

Beyond encouraging new talent into the sector, the event is committed to making manufacturing more inclusive. It continues to partner with organisations such as WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) and WES (Women’s Engineering Society) to drive gender diversity. Their work is crucial in breaking down barriers and ensuring that manufacturing roles are accessible to a broader talent pool. Both organisations contribute to discussions on attracting and retaining diverse talent, creating inclusive workplaces and ensuring that women and underrepresented groups are supported, and will be on hand to have these important conversations with visitors.

Further reinforcing its commitment to expanding the industry’s talent pipeline, Smart Manufacturing Week has partnered with New Futures Network to explore recruitment strategies that tap into previously overlooked sources. Attendees interested in innovative approaches to workforce development should also visit exhibitor LISI Aerospace, which will be featured in the Best of British Showcase and are excited to talk about the company’s approach to people and skills.

In addition, on the afternoon of Thursday 5 June, and following on from the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit, Unloc, The Manufacturer, Verizon Business and Juniper Networks will be hosting the Changemaker Moments: Smart Manufacturing Event.

This interactive session will bring together around 50 business leaders and 50 tech native young people from the local area, to foster open discussions, share inter-generational perspectives, and develop actionable solutions.

Some of the world’s biggest manufacturers will be joining the session to help answer the question – what culture and skills do we need to attract the future workforce in manufacturing?

A festival atmosphere

The organisers of Smart Manufacturing Week acknowledge that its primary role is to create business connections, but they also make it a vibrant, energising experience that blends the latest innovation with a lively atmosphere. Live music will set the tone from the moment visitors arrive, with performances throughout the event, including a Baby Grand Piano busking spot. The Guitar Legends competition also returns, giving attendees the chance to show off their musical talent and to win a custom 3D-printed guitar. Capping off day one, The Shadow Monkeys will take the stage at the evening visitor party, bringing high-energy hits to keep the fun going.

Just announced and new for this year, ‘Smart Tank’ offers a dynamic platform for entrepreneurial talent to pitch ideas and products to a panel of industry experts in the hope of gaining funding and feedback. The businesses venturing into ‘the Tank’ are comprised of some of the most innovative exhibiting within Innovation Alley which is a mix of cutting-edge start-ups and university spin-outs, so expect huge amounts of passion and creative thinking.

The event also plays host to the FANUC WorldSkills UK Industrial Robotics Competition qualifier, giving visitors a front-row seat to the next generation of automation talent. Alongside this, the Best of British Showcase will shine a light on outstanding achievements in UK manufacturing, from bold design to global success stories.

Previous years have featured projects from ThrustWSH, Airbus and Aston Martin. While the event moves at pace, there are also opportunities to recharge. Visitors can take advantage of Workspace Hubs with seating, charging points and private phone booths. The dedicated Wellness Area offers a space to pause and reset, with professionals on hand to provide revitalising treatments. These moments of downtime are designed to help visitors stay refreshed and focused, ensuring they make the most of their time at the event.

A spotlight on exhibitors

Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 will host over 450 exhibitors, offering visitors the chance to explore the latest innovations, product launches and transformative solutions across the manufacturing ecosystem. Among the standout participants are this year’s Platinum Partners, who will be key stops on the show floor.

In Smart Factory names including Biffa, Epicor, FANUC and ifm Electronic will be showing off their smart solutions. Visitors can also discover how Ericsson (Stand: 5-C130) is helping manufacturers drive smarter operations by connecting people, data and things through robust, limitless connectivity.

At Maintec, Platinum Partners Fluke and IFS Ultimo will be displaying their maintenance solutions. IFS Ultimo (Stand: 5-J20) will showcase its innovative approach to enterprise asset management (EAM), while Fluke will display its wide range of portable test instruments, including the ii900Sonic Industrial Imager, which enables maintenance teams to quickly and accurately locate air, steam, gas and vacuum leaks in compressed air systems.

In the Drives & Controls area you’ll find exhibitors including binder and Charter Controls and in Design & Engineering Expo you can expect to see 3M highlight its range of industrial adhesives and tapes designed to optimise assembly processes and improve cost-efficiency.

Visitors can also expect to see Schneider Electric, Hoffmann Group, HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions, Cembre and IFS.

Every minute counts

With so much to see across the exhibition floor, a little planning will help visitors get the most out of Smart Manufacturing Week. The event is organised into clearly defined zones, each focused on a specific area of manufacturing. Reviewing the exhibitor list and programme in advance makes it easier to pinpoint the sessions and stands that align with your priorities, ensuring time on-site is spent where it matters most.

A brand-new addition for 2025, the Smart Manufacturing Week event app is a must-have tool for attendees. It provides an interactive schedule, an exhibitor directory and other useful features to help plan and navigate the event seamlessly.

To help navigate the exhibition, curated Visitor Trails offer guided routes tailored to key themes such as Digital Transformation, Innovation and Smart Technologies and Workforce Development and Upskilling. These structured paths lead attendees to the most relevant presentations, technologies and suppliers, making it easier to focus on what matters most to their business.

With all this under one roof, Smart Manufacturing Week is a time-efficient way to tick off so many of the ‘to-do’ list actions all in an enjoyable, upbeat environment.

Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 takes place on 4-5 June at the NEC in Birmingham. Other exhibitions relevant for the manufacturing and engineering sector are taking place at the NEC at the same time, and these include Automechanika, Med-Tech Innovation Expo, TCT 3Sixty and Subcon. One visitor badge provides access to all events.