Europe’s biggest digital manufacturing show has opened its doors today! The atmosphere is energetic and the delegates are eager, as the largest gathering of leaders in UK manufacturing gets underway.
For the next two days, expertise, technology and opportunity will be brought together to showcase the buoyant, agile and resourceful sector that is UK manufacturing – with over 5,500 individuals set to flood through the doors at Digital Manufacturing Week.
Delivered to you by the team behind Britain’s premier manufacturing magazine, The Manufacturer, and held in the Exhibition Centre Liverpool; the leading position of Britain in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is being shown off at Smart Factory Expo.
James Smith, Digital and Events Director at The Manufacturer, said: “We’ve seen over 1,500 people come through the doors in just the last hour, that is a 50% increase from last year! It doesn’t really come as a surprise though, given the enthusiasm we have had about the Expo from our readers and the IT industry.
“It’s great to see people coming early, as there is a lot to see and learn. The team at The Manufacturer are excited to catch up with old friends and make new ones.”
“I am interested in seeing new technologies and how this could alter our entire business model. Particularly, how we can introduce new digital innovations that will be more cost-effective” – An Ireland-based manufacturer who makes rings for rock hammers, told TM on their way to Smart Factory Expo. A representative for a global aerospace company, told TM: “We are really, like most, only at the beginning of our Industry4.0 journey. Today, I’d like to see how we could potentially modernise our systems and increase our efficiency.” An SME FMCGs manufacturer, told TM:“We have not introduced much Industry4.0 equipment, but we recognise this needs to change. So, I am here today to hear about how other manufacturers and leaders in industry are doing this. I am particularly interested in automation and smart systems.” A British-based plastics manufacturer, told TM.”I am here to see the change other businesses are going through, and how we can introduce new strategies to push our manufacturing processes and operations forward.”
What are you hoping to learn at Smart Factory Expo?
Smart Factory Expo has six distinct zones that illustrate the exciting sector; Smart Factory, Digital Transformation, Industrial Internet, Industrial Automation, Manufacturing Innovation and Industrial Data.
So, whether you want to know more about investing in robotics, utilising your data or how to innovate and optimise your entire operation, Smart Factory Expo is not one to be missed.
In fact, Digital Manufacturing Week showcases more digital manufacturing companies under one-roof than anywhere else – with over 150 presentations from industry leaders set to be held over the forthcoming days. Excited? Of course!
It is no secret, digital technologies are disrupting every aspect of manufacturing operations, and here at Smart Factory Expo, people, processes and products are linked together to transform businesses and maximise this disruption.
The ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ certainly plays to the UK’s strengths, as it already has a strong position in advanced manufacturing, and a world class technology sector.
Why Liverpool?
Manufacturing in the Liverpool region supports nearly 50,000 jobs in 3,000 companies, and directly contributes £3.2bn to Britain’s overall economy. So, it only seemed fitting to hold Digital Manufacturing Week in Europe’s biggest bio-manufacturing cluster!
Read more about the manufacturing sector in Liverpool here.
Smart Factory highlights not to be missed!
With pitch clinics, exhibition floor presentations, networking events, drop-in advisory clinics, the launch of the North West Pilot of the Government’s Made Smarter Review, a visit from the city’s mayor, and the country’s largest gathering of digital manufacturing exhibitors.
Smart Factory Expo reveals everything British Manufacturing has to offer, and that is certainly no small feat.
Consultants’ Clinics: Experts will be on hand throughout the Expo to answer questions on a range of digital transformation and strategy issues in 15 minute slots. The consultants will offer free advice to enable leaders to think clearly about their business’s next steps.
Solution Theatres: Learn from world-class manufacturers and technology experts, from over 200 presentations over seven stages.
Innovation Alley: Ideas, energy and opportunity combine in Innovation Alley, where over 50 of the UK’s top manufacturing tech start-ups will showcase their innovations.
Best of British Manufacturing Showcase: See the outputs of this resourceful and leading sector at the Best of British Manufacturing showcase in the Exhibition Centre Atrium.
Visitor Trails: Hop on a visitor trail to help you get the most out of the Expo. Visit keynotes, presentations and other points of interest around; Aerospace, Automotive, Defence, Process Manufacturing, Digital Manufacturing (Basic & Advanced), Skills or Women in Manufacturing.