The NEC Birmingham will once again play host to Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW) the UK’s largest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering on 4–5 June 2025. SMW brings together a powerful lineup of events, including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls, Design + Engineering Expo and the Air-Tech and Fluid Power and systems zones. PWE reports.

Schneider Electric, a global technology leader, has announced it marked the United Nations’ World Water Day on 22 March 2025 with a new white paper ready for the beginning of the UK water industry’s AMP8 regulatory period on 1 April 2025.

The transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on predictive maintenance in industrial automation is becoming increasingly evident. The integration of AI with existing maintenance systems presents both challenges and opportunities for manufacturers seeking to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime. PWE reports.

The success of the government’s plan to accelerate the UK energy transition depends on its ability to overcome wider supply chain challenges, according to energy solutions and temperature control specialist Aggreko.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems maintain air quality, regulate temperature, and ensure manufacturing processes run smoothly. Yet, these systems are also among the biggest energy consumers, a major source of carbon emissions, and a significant cost burden for businesses. As the UK accelerates towards net-zero targets, industries face mounting pressure to rethink their HVAC strategies. PWE reports.

Compressed air is a proven source of reliable and sustainable power for industrial operations. Now, with technologies such as remote monitoring and AI optimisation, it is set to enter a new era of performance and efficiency.

The industrial robotics sector continues to experience strong growth, with operational stock at approximately four million robots according to statistics from the International Federation of Robotics. Improvements in robotic grippers have helped accelerate industrial robot uptake, but is there room for further development? Ross Turnbull, Director of Business Development and Product Engineering at ASIC design and supply company Swindon Silicon Systems, explains further