MACH 2024 extols benefits of manufacturing tech at show

Reversing UK manufacturing’s poor record for adopting new technology will be tackled head on at MACH 2024. The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) is spearheading growth by using its flagship event to launch its new Knowledge Hubs initiative.

The programme showcases the latest technology to exhibitors, helping manufacturers learn more about the potential offered by such technology, as well as when to adopt it and how to implement it to best effect.

The initiative has been handed a shot-in-the-arm with the announcement by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt of £4.5 billion of funding to support advanced manufacturing. The funding will directly benefit several of the exhibition’s key themes, especially Energy Efficiency, where £960 million has been earmarked for clean energy manufacturing through a Green Industries Growth Accelerator.

The MTA, which organises the MACH event on behalf of the engineering-based manufacturing industry, has been campaigning for greater adoption of new technology for some time.

It will expand upon this at MACH 2024, which opens its doors at the NEC in Birmingham on 15th April, by explaining that implementing latest techniques in manufacturing processes is the fastest way to boost the UK’s output.

The focus for this will be a series of new Knowledge Hubs. These will focus on educating manufacturers in when and how to adopt new technologies.

The hubs, which will have dedicated stands within the various exhibition zones, will each focus on a particular type of technology:

• Automation and Robotics
• Data and Artificial Intelligence
• Energy Efficiency
• Additive Manufacturing
• Tooling

Each is being managed by one of the specialist centres from the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, such as the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

James Selka DL, CEO of the MTA, said: “The MTA is part of a united front of UK manufacturing organisations, along with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and MACH 2024 Headline Sponsor Lloyds Bank, to increase the uptake of technologies such as automation and robotics.

“Only by embracing what the hubs are trying to achieve will the UK restore its position as a sovereign manufacturer, re-establishing itself as a major player on the global stage.

“To have the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre running our Knowledge Hubs is an indication of the importance these organisations place on our initiative, and with MACH 2024 providing the showcase and the opportunity to see the latest technology live and in action, we couldn’t ask for anything better.”

MACH 2024
www.machexhibition.com