GENERAL NEWS
Call for new“ Made in Europe” initiative
A broad coalition of more than 80 organisations from across Europe’ s manufacturing ecosystem( spanning industry, research and academia) has joined forces with the European Factories of the Future Research Association( EFFRA) to launch a new call for action: a“ Made in Europe” Manufacturing Initiative.
“ The initiative comes at a critical moment for Europe’ s industrial future. Faced with increasing global competition, geopolitical uncertainty and growing dependencies in key technologies and value chains, Europe must take decisive action to strengthen its manufacturing base,” said CECIMO, the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies.
“ Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Europe’ s economy, supporting millions of
jobs, driving innovation and underpinning the continent’ s strategic autonomy. However, Europe is struggling to scale innovation, retain industrial capacity and compete with largescale industrial strategies deployed in other regions,” it added.
The joint paper outlines five strategic priorities for the period 2028 – 2034:
1. Accelerating innovation and industrial scale-up in Europe.
2. Strengthening strategic autonomy and resilience.
3. Advancing circular and climate-neutral production.
4. Leading in digitalisation, automation and industrial AI.
5. Investing in skills and workforce transformation.
The coalition calls on European policymakers to establish a coordinated, large-scale“ Made in Europe” initiative, embedded in forthcoming EU instruments such as Framework Programme 10 and the European Competitiveness Fund.
“ This initiative aims to better align research, innovation and industrial deployment, ensuring that Europe not only develops cutting-edge technologies but also manufactures them at scale within its borders,” concluded CECIMO.
The full paper and joint letter to policymakers were released on 1 April 2026.
For further details of the call for a“ Made in Europe” manufacturing initiative, see: bit. ly / 4dfWE6v n
Meet ISMR at Smart Manufacturing Week
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 smart factory 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.”
Show features will include a dedicated STEM Programme, Innovation Alley( for emerging manufacturing technologies), an Ambassador Programme( for networking) and various Visitor Trails. The Solutions Theatres will spotlight the pressing and transformative themes shaping the future of industry.
The show organiser expects over 13,500 visitors and around 450 exhibitors to attend SMW 2026. ISMR is an international media partner at SMW— meet the ISMR team at SMW! n
www. smartmanufact uringweek. com /
ISMR May 2026 | ismr. net | 7