EVENT PREVIEW
THE SMART APPROACH
“ Smart Manufacturing Week from 3-4 June 2026 will give visitors access to a powerful line-up of events across multiple exhibition halls at the NEC in Birmingham, UK.”
Designed to support organisations at every stage of their smart manufacturing journey, Smart Manufacturing Week this June in the UK will connect strategy, innovation and practical implementation.
Smart Manufacturing Week( SMW) will return to the NEC in Birmingham( UK) from 3-4 June 2026, where it will host a celebration of manufacturing and engineering in the UK. SMW brings together a powerful line-up of events including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls and Design + Engineering Expo as well as the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit.
“ One ticket will give access to a unique collaboration of leading industry events at the NEC Birmingham, bringing together a broad spectrum of technologies, expertise and solutions under one roof. Across multiple exhibition halls, visitors will have access to hundreds of exhibitors, expert speakers and live demonstrations. Bringing these events together creates a meeting point for manufacturers, engineers and industry leaders to address real operational challenges. Whether the focus is improving productivity, adopting new technologies or strengthening supply chains, attendees can expect to leave with practical ideas and valuable connections,” said event director, Grace Gilling.
“ The scale of the event reflects the diversity and interconnected nature of today’ s manufacturing landscape covering areas such as design; plastics; additive manufacturing; automation; drives and controls; and smartfactory solutions. The UK manufacturing sector stands at a critical junction, balancing digital transformation, supply chain resilience and the drive towards net zero. Identifying practical, actionable strategies to meet these challenges remains a key priority for industry professionals.”
The show organiser expects over 13,500 visitors and around 450 exhibitors to attend SMW 2026.
Returning in 2026
Smart Manufacturing Week will play host to several satellite events, such as the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. This two-day conference for senior leaders, which attracts many of the top 250 manufacturers from across the UK, is focused on the application of digital technologies to enhance the processes, efficiencies and outcomes of the manufacturing industry.
“ As digital moves beyond pilots and proof of concept, the challenge is no longer whether to digitalise but how to scale, execute and generate return under growing cost pressure and constant change. The 2026 Summit is shaped around turning digital capability into operational traction, with practical insight into what works, what fails and what needs to change next,” said the show organiser.
The Best of British Showcase brings together ground-breaking designs, pioneering manufacturing methods and export successes that champion UK innovation. From world first technologies to iconic engineering excellence,
Register today
A single ticket provides access to the events below( SMW events in bold):
■ Smart Manufacturing Week( Nineteen Group) including:
■ Smart Factory Expo
■ Drives & Controls
■ Maintec
■ Design & Engineering Expo
■ Interplas( Rapid News Group)
■ TCT 3Sixty( Rapid News Group)
■ Med-Tech Expo( Rapid News Group)
■ Subcon, The Manufacturing Solutions Show( Mark Allen Group).
This format enables visitors to explore multiple sectors in one visit, discover new suppliers and gain insights across the full manufacturing value chain. Register today on https:// tinyurl. com / SMWISMR.
this is where Britain’ s manufacturing and engineering story is told.
“ Discover the products, processes and ideas that are redefining British manufacturing and engineering on the global stage. Curated in partnership with The Manufacturer,
28 | ismr. net | ISMR April 2026