Advancing onwards

This year the two-day Advanced Engineering show will be held from November 2-3 at the NEC in Birmingham. The trade show consists of four dedicated show zones: Aero Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Composites Engineering and Performance Metals, located in Halls 2, 3 and 3a of the exhibition centre.

The 2016 edition is being managed by Easyfairs, a global event organiser which acquired the show from its founder Ian Stone and UK Tech Events last year.

Event director Katie Crocombe says Easyfairs intends to build on the successful formula that the show has benefitted from so far: “It’s it is a unique trade event mainly because it is open to everybody throughout the supply chain, whether you are a start-up, SME or well-established company within the engineering sector,” she says. “That’s also one of the main reasons there’s a real sense of innovation.

“One of the main features we have continued is the very strong relationships we have with the membership bodies and organisations from the various industries involved in the show. They have really contributed to how it has evolved on the show floor.”

Engineering a community

That industry involvement from groups such as the ADS, Composites UK, EEF, UKTI, Santander and the Rail Alliance has helped to build a sense of community amongst all the participating bodies, according to Ms Crocombe.

“There is a real buy-in into the concept from everyone, whether they are associations, academic institutions or exhibiting companies. They want the show to work, not only for themselves but also for the whole engineering community. The show also gives exhibitors the opportunity to see other companies from parallel sectors that they wouldn’t normally get to see at a sector specific trade event. That crossover factor has huge benefits.”

A key feature of Advanced Engineering is developing and promoting new technology in all the sectors associated with the show; whether it is through the open conference programme, which offers attendees the latest insights into industry from expert speakers, or exhibitor zones which feature the latest products and prototypes from many areas of engineering.

Ms Crocombe says: “The UK has a long history of being at the forefront of engineering and that’s how the industry wants to be represented. This is one of the reasons we have so many universities at the Advanced Engineering. They are driving a lot of the innovation and what is happening at the leading edge of manufacturing.”

A typical example of the focus on new technology is the Enabling Innovation hub. Sponsored by global automotive supplier Magna and supported by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), the show area showcases some of the most innovative technology from start-ups and SMEs.

This year a new development will be a competition for a group of selected innovators who will be featured at Enabling Innovation. The shortlisted entries will exhibit with support from Magna. The most innovative technology from whatever engineering background will also be awarded a £5,000 prize.

As well as entering the competition innovators and technology specialists can exhibit in the hub themselves or set-up meetings with representatives from Magna’s R&D team for funding and technical support opportunities.

Jeremy Whittingham, head of marketing for Advanced Engineering comments: “With Enabling Innovation we are better placed than most trade shows to help companies capitalise on the innovations between R&D and the industry.”

Partner events

This year the show is partnering a number of other events related to manufacturing at the NEC in November. A major development is the involvement of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

The Institute will be holding two, one day seminars during Advanced Engineering. On the November 2^nd the seminar will be dedicated to Aviation Aerodynamics with speakers from bodies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Reaction Engines and the European Space Agency.

On November 3^rd the seminar will be dedicated to brakes and enhancing their performance with speakers from companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Honda, McLaren Automotive and Bentley.

Ms Crocombe comments: “I am very happy that IMechE is taking part because the Institute is such an important body linked to engineering. The seminars provide great speakers with insights and the prospect of networking opportunities. It really adds to the status of the exhibition.”

Advanced Engineering will also be held in partnership the Smart Factory Expo at the NEC. The Expo will focus on the latest interconnectivity advances in manufacturing and the development of Industry 4.0.

“Industry 4.0 is a very hot topic at the moment,” says Ms Crocombe. “The conference is aimed at the executive level, and focuses on the impact the smart factory is going to have on manufacturing in the future. Having those kinds of decision makers discussing the future of manufacturing linked to our event is a great development.”

Innovation is encapsulated in the Performance Metals section of Advanced Engineering as Mr Whittingham reveals: “As well as covering traditional areas such as lightweight aluminium, titanium and magnesium it also focuses on developments such as powder metallurgy which is associated with additive manufacturing. We have several presentations regarding additive technology during the event.”

On the rails

Mr Whittingham also reflects on an expanded feature from last year’s show – the Rail Alliance: “The rail sector is an area we are featuring because of projects like HS2 and Crossrail. The Alliance is looking for new members and will have a number of presentations. There are big opportunities for companies available in the rail sector. With composite materials in particular there are new applications in both rolling stock and infrastructure.”

The show seems to reflect the positive outlook UK manufacturing has embraced after the post Brexit vote if booking number are anything to go by.

“It really does seem to be business as usual,” says Ms Crocombe. “The strongest indication of the show’s success is shown by how many exhibitors come back year on year. If you look at bookings for 2016 we have had the highest return of exhibiting companies that we have ever had.

“We really try to facilitate networking around the show but the best platform is the one-on-one meetings that exhibitors have on their stands. To assist we have the pre-show portal that they can access to book a meeting which has proved to be really useful. It is a great way for exhibitors to make the best use of their time. We also have a mobile phone app that allows visitors and exhibitors to capture data more easily and be proactive with that information. It’s all about helping companies to do as much business as possible on the show floor.”

According to Ms Crocombe, the show can grow from strength to strength based on the foundations laid down by its originators.

“It has proved to be incredibly successful with fantastic growth and input from the industry. There’s not much more you

can ask from a trade event. Hopefully as a bigger organisation we can provide more support so the behind the scenes elements will make it an easier experience for exhibitors and visitors.

“We wanted to make improvements but still keep the essence of the show that has made it a success. Advanced Engineering is marketed on a manufacturing zone basis but also a coordinated overall event which we believe is more than the sum of its parts. There is a very successful overlap between them all.”

Advanced Engineering 2016 www.advancedengineeringuk.com