Taking centre stage at this year’s Smart Factory Expo (4-5 June 2025, NEC Birmingham) with the event’s biggest stand, industrial automation specialist FANUC UK will showcase the power of partnerships by co-locating with FIVE of their specialist partners. Accompanied by Cyan-Tec, Cyber-Weld, Cobots and Machinery Safey, Expert Technologies Group and Reeco Automation, FANUC will demonstrate their holistic approach to robot integration and automation adoption across all manufacturing sectors on stand 5/F40.
In addition, the company is underlining its commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers by sponsoring Smart Factory Expo’s STEM Programme, as well as running the qualifying stage of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Automation competition LIVE across the two-day event.
Cobots in action
Highlights on the FANUC stand will include a palletiser from Reeco, integrated with a FANUC CRX collaborative robot. The RB Palletiser range has been specially developed by Reeco to deliver enhanced efficiency and dependable operation for localised automation of production line ends. Designed to palletise large quantities of inventory at speed, the RB series brings all the benefits of automation to smaller operations with in-built safety, renowned FANUC cobot technology and powerful capability.
Also on stand 5/F40 will be Cyber-Weld’s flexible cobot system with welding augmented reality. The Soldamatic welding training solution is designed to improve and qualify welding applications, as well as upskill staff without unnecessary material waste. In addition, Cobots and Machinery Safety will showcase their service to help manufacturers safely use and navigate a FANUC CRX collaborative robot, using a live CRX education cell.
Other on-stand demonstrations will feature industrial robot solutions, including a taping solution from Expert Technologies Group.
Nurturing future engineers
As well as the automation highlights being showcased on the FANUC stand, the company is also sponsoring the event’s STEM Programme. The programme provides young people with direct access to industry leaders, hands-on experiences and real-world insights, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to pursue rewarding careers in manufacturing and engineering.
Aligned with this are the qualifying rounds of the WorldSkills UK Industrial Automation competition, supported once again by FANUC and taking place LIVE at Smart Factory Expo. Featuring 12 teams of talented young people battling across two days for a place in the final and the chance to represent SquadUK, the contest will involve a series of robot programming tasks set by FANUC’s in-house team of experts, who have also mentored and supported the contestants.
“With 97% of manufacturers reporting that hiring and retaining staff presents a challenge to the growth of their business, and 36% of manufacturing vacancies proving hard to fill, creating a pipeline of future engineers is essential to the future success of our industry,” says
Oliver Selby, FANUC’s Head of Sales and BARA Chair. “Working culture has changed hugely over recent years and digitally native Gen Zs are looking for stimulating roles that offer career progression, instead of a steady but low skilled ‘job for life’. Automation and robotics are exciting career pathways and exposing young people to them as early as possible is a key priority for us here at FANUC.”
Hear Oliver Selby’s presentation on ‘The Power of Partner Networks’ at 2pm on Tuesday 4 June at the Solutions Theatre at Smart Factory Expo.
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