INDUSTRY NEWS
Manufacturing World Fukuoka 2025
Manufacturing World Fukuoka 2025, the year’ s final edition of RX Japan’ s manufacturing trade show series held four times annually across major cities in Japan, will run from 3-5 December 2025 at Marine Messe Fukuoka. It will bring together 400 exhibitors and over 12,000 expected visitors as a major Kyushu hub for innovation and business growth.
“ Kyushu is recognised as a key engine of Japan’ s industrial sector, home to leading manufacturers in automotive, electronics, robotics and environmental technology. Its geographic position and history of international trade make it a vital gateway for business between Japan and Asia. Manufacturing World Fukuoka highlights Kyushu’ s robust manufacturing ecosystem while offering opportunities for regional and national networking, showcasing its central role in driving the industry forward,” commented show organiser, RX Japan.
“ At the heart of Manufacturing World Fukuoka 2025 are leading themes including digital transformation( DX), advanced automation and decarbonisation. The
exhibition provides a comprehensive platform for professionals to explore world-class technologies, discover practical solutions to manufacturing challenges and engage with the latest advances in factory equipment, digital tools and sustainable production methods,” it continued.
“ The 2025 show will introduce a dedicated Start-up Pavilion, featuring innovative entrepreneurs and technologies. Visitors will be able to discover new products, make direct connections with next-generation leaders and learn about the solutions that will soon be experienced in the manufacturing industry,” it concluded.
Attendees can also participate in nine concurrent exhibitions, organised by RX Japan, covering areas such as additive manufacturing, IoT, industrial cybersecurity, equipment maintenance and more throughout the three-day exhibition. With a wide spectrum of offerings from global suppliers and solution providers, the event is designed to facilitate valuable networking, business partnerships and knowledgesharing.
Visitor resources include access to an online exhibitor directory, event highlights and transport guidance to Marine Messe Fukuoka. n
www. manufacturing-world. jp / kyushu / en-gb. html
On track for ten new Elizabeth line trains
Elizabeth line rail customers in London( UK) are closer to getting more new trains, as construction has begun by Alstom on the first of an additional ten trains to be introduced to the network. These new trains are being built at Alstom’ s historic Litchurch Lane Works in Derby( UK) to support increasing demand for the hugely popular line and the UK Government’ s growth agenda.
Since opening in 2022, the Elizabeth line has had a transformational effect on travel in London and has quickly become the UK’ s single busiest railway service, with an average of 800,000 journeys now made on the service each day.
“ Not only will these new Aventra trains enable Transport for London to continue successfully operating the Elizabeth line as passenger demand grows, they continue to support high-value manufacturing and supply chain jobs in the East Midlands and across the UK,” said Rob Whyte, Managing Director UK and Ireland, Alstom.
The new trains, which were ordered with UK Government funding, will allow Transport for London( TfL) to increase capacity on the existing line, further driving the economy by boosting connections and serving HS2’ s new Old Oak Common station in the future.
The additional Class 345 Aventra electric multiple units( EMUs) are being built by Alstom at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works, one of the world’ s largest rolling stock factories and the only UK facility that handles the end-to-end process of train manufacturing. The factory was opened by the Midland Railway in 1876 and the city of Derby has been building trains continuously since 1839.
Prior to work commencing on the new trains, Alstom hosted‘ The Greatest Gathering’( the world’ s largest railway festival) to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway. Over three days in August, Alstom welcomed 40,000 visitors to its Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, which also marked the first time in almost 50 years that the site had been opened to the general public.
The £ 220.5-million contract to build ten new Elizabeth line trains demonstrates how investment in London’ s transport infrastructure boosts economic growth across the country. As part of the order, almost 40 British companies are being supported, totalling more than 1,000 employees.
Once complete, the ten new Class 345 Aventra trains will join the existing 70 nine-car fleet. These trains are maintained by Alstom at its Old Oak Common Depot in West London. n
www. alstom. com
12 | ismr. net | ISMR November 2025