The ability of the UK’s engineering supply chains to provide innovative solutions to complex problems is one of the core strengths of the UK’s manufacturing industry. Now a new exhibition will showcase the expertise to be found within these small to medium enterprises and highlight how the rest of the world can tap into this unique network to resolve their own challenges.

The Engineering Supply Chain Show has been specifically designed to help buyers looking to source precision sub-contracting products and services from UK-based suppliers, many of them experts in their fields.

Organised by The Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the three-day Engineering Supply Chain Show will run alongside the main MACH 2022 exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham between 5-7 April 2022.

Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and the Engineering Industries Association (EIA), this new exhibition has grown out of increased demand for the successful UK Supply Chain Zone staged within the MACH.

It is also a response to the immediate needs of UK manufacturers and engineers for new opportunities and aims to unite a wider audience looking to capitalise on the current capacity within the UK sub-contracting and supply chain sectors.

James Selka DL, Chief Executive Officer at the MTA, said: “The UK Supply Chain Zone has always been one of the busiest areas of the MACH show and given the abilities inherent in the UK SME manufacturing sector, it makes sense to expand the zone into a show-within-a-show.

“The levels of skill and expertise which can be found in UK supply chains are amongst the best in the world. This is why there has never been a better time for buyers looking for precision engineering and sub-contracting solutions to examine the opportunities available in the UK.”

He adds: “With more and more OEMs and Tier 1 companies looking to reshore operations and source component supply from within the UK, then the ability of the various UK supply chains to facilitate this has never been more important. It is why this new exhibition will provide a focused showcase for these in-demand products and services.”

Mr Selka said with manufacturers currently facing a unique set of challenges to their business models the show would serve to illustrate the underlying strengths inherent in the UK manufacturing sector.

“Simply doing business in the current economic climate is extremely challenging. Continuing disruption due to the pandemic, labour shortages, ongoing fallout from Brexit – all these are challenging enough, but factor in steepling energy costs and rising factory gate inflation and this only serves to illustrate just how much pressure manufacturers currently face,” said Mr Selka.

“However, the UK manufacturing industry is nothing if not resilient and it has triumphed in the face of adversity before and will do so again. This is why the Engineering Supply Chain Show, as well as the wider MACH 2022 exhibition, are of such critical importance to the economy and to its ability to grow and prosper in the post-pandemic world.”

The Engineering Supply Chain Show is also a reflection of the strengthening of links between the MTA and the EIA. When the MTA took the EIA under its wing earlier last year, the two associations pledged to work together in the best interests of their respective members.

“The MTA and the EIA are closely aligned and both associations have been listening to their members to identify their concerns. It is clear from what they have been saying that help overcoming the current set of problems is vital,” said Mr Selka.

To exhibit at The Engineering Supply Chain Show companies must be UK registered and offer capacity in subcontract or supply chain services. Examples include precision machined-parts subcontracting, castings and forgings, coatings, mechatronic and electronic design and assembly, extrusion, fabrication, finishing, forming, pressings and stampings, tool making, forming and manipulation, vacuum technology and design, development and testing services.

Mr Selka added: “With demand for UK domestic production growing, particularly post-Brexit, coupled with the desire to reduce the miles goods have to travel as part of the UK’s commitment to greener manufacturing, we believe this exhibition is perfectly timed. Exhibiting at The Engineering Supply Chain Show allows exhibitors to meet face to face with buyers and procurement professionals with budget authority to spend. Alongside MACH, no other UK exhibition delivers such a strong audience.”

Manufacturers have been encouraged to give the Engineering Supply Show, as well as the wider MACH 2022 their full support. Traditionally attracting over 25,000 visitors, MACH is the UK’s national event to showcase engineering and manufacturing technologies.

The Engineering Supply Chain Show will be located in the NEC’s Hall 7 – directly alongside MACH 2022. One combined entry badge will provide unhindered access to both MACH and The Engineering Supply Chain Show, while in-hall links will ensure a seamless flow of visitors between the two events.

For more information on The Engineering Supply Chain Show, visit www.machexhibition.com/ESC and for MACH 2022, www.machexhibition.com

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