Smart Manufacturing Week 2025
Published: 16 April, 2025
Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 offers an impressive mix of education, innovation and networking all under one roof. Taking place from 4th-5th June at Birmingham’s NEC, the event gathers participants from the largest industrial businesses through to small start-ups from across the UK and internationally, making it a useful event to attend for anyone in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. PWE reports
With a diverse range of exhibitions, including Smart Factory Expo, Design & Engineering Expo, Maintec, and Drives & Controls, Smart Manufacturing Week covers every facet of modern manufacturing and engineering. In addition, the Air-Tech and Fluid Power & Systems zones, integrated within Drives & Controls, will be of particular interest to Hydraulics & Pneumatics readers, showcasing developments in fluid power and automation technologies.
Boasting more than 450 exhibitors and 200 speakers Smart Manufacturing Week offers an unmissable opportunity to explore the latest technology, network with industry leaders and gain insights into how these are revolutionising manufacturing processes worldwide.
Fluid Power & Systems and Air-Tech
Located within Drives & Controls, the Fluid Power & Systems and Air-Tech zones will showcase interesting new technologies, products and innovations.
Exhibitors in these sectors are set to showcase products that enhance precision, reliability, and system flexibility. Technologies, such as compressors, high-precision sensors and hydraulic fittings will be featured prominently. These products are not just improving productivity but also helping to meet increasingly stringent environmental standards.
Returning as a gold partner, Teseo will once again highlight its expertise in modular aluminium piping for compressed air and fluid power distribution. Last year, the Italian manufacturer impressed visitors with its precision-engineered systems, designed to improve efficiency and ergonomics across industrial applications. With a strong global presence and a reputation for high-quality, certified solutions, Teseo remains a key name in smart fluid power infrastructure.
The focus on sustainability, one of the five key pillars of Smart Manufacturing Week, is particularly evident as professionals in hydraulics and pneumatics seek solutions that minimise energy consumption and reduce environmental impact. With the growing push for greener manufacturing and engineering practices, Air-Tech and Fluid Power & Systems are playing a key role in helping businesses navigate this shift. These zones will present valuable insights into how new technologies are driving efficiency while reducing the impact of industrial processes.
Other shows at Smart Manufacturing Week
There are an abundance of other activities that also take place as part of Smart Manufacturing Week. Outside of the zones, the wider Drives & Controls show will have much to offer including a comprehensive showcase of the latest developments in automation, robotics, and motion control—technologies that are fundamental to the evolution of modern manufacturing and engineering. The Smart Factory Expo is a key feature of Smart Manufacturing Week 2025, providing visitors with the opportunity to discover the latest smart manufacturing technologies. The event showcases a range of hardware and software solutions that address today’s industrial challenges.
Design & Engineering Expo is also part of Smart Manufacturing Week, bringing component suppliers together with design engineers to discuss challenging applications and innovative solutions. With a focus on practical applications, it offers workshops and talks from key industry figures, helping visitors stay ahead of trends in design engineering. Lastly, Smart Manufacturing Week is also home to Maintec which focuses on the maintenance solutions crucial for enhancing uptime and operational efficiency. This event offers insight into predictive maintenance, condition monitoring, and automation technologies, all of which directly support fluid power and pneumatic systems. It’s an ideal opportunity for visitors to explore how maintenance innovations can improve system reliability, reduce downtime, and optimise performance.
Educational Content
Smart Manufacturing Week’s rich educational programme is a major draw with seven free-to-attend ‘solutions theatres’ running during the event. Covering a breadth of topics across smart manufacturing and engineering, these theatres will offer deep insights into emerging technologies, industry challenges, and practical solutions for manufacturers.
A standout session for 2025 is by Professor Henrik von Scheel who is widely recognised as the Father of Industry 4.0. Von Scheel, whose work has shaped modern industrial strategy, will take the stage in the Design & Innovation Theatre on the morning of the 4th of June (Day 1) to present a talk on The Future of Manufacturing: Megatrends that Shape the Next Decade. In this session, he will examine the key megatrends that will dominate the manufacturing landscape in the years ahead, including smart automation, AI integration and the evolving dynamics of the workforce. Going onto discuss how manufacturers can capitalise on these shifts to boost productivity, resilience, and sustainable growth. His insights offer a valuable look at the forces that will transform the industry, making this a must-attend for those looking to stay ahead in the fast-evolving manufacturing landscape.
Bridging the Skills Gap
One of the biggest challenges facing UK manufacturing and engineering today is the shortage of skilled workers. Research from 2024 found that 97% of manufacturers recognise that hiring and retaining skilled labour presents a challenge to the growth of their business, with 80% citing that they are struggling to find digital skills.
The skills gap is a major focus for Smart Manufacturing Week, so much so that ‘People and Skills’ is one of the five pillars around which the event is organised. The event will explore strategies for attracting and retaining talent, alongside partnerships with organisations driving change.
One such partnership is with the Women’s Engineering Society (WES). Susan Robson MBE, Interim CEO of WES, underscores the importance of connecting talent with opportunity: “We know that the engineering sector faces a significant skills gap and fostering innovation is crucial to tackling global challenges like climate change and productivity. Through Smart Manufacturing Week, we aim to bridge the gap between industry and female talent, ensuring that women not only enter engineering careers but also thrive in inclusive workspaces.”
Additionally, Smart Manufacturing Week’s collaboration with Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) will focus on broadening the talent pipeline, engaging school-age students and industry leaders alike. Both WISE and WES will be on hand to have these important discussions, offering insights for businesses looking to future-proof their workforce. Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 is a key date in the event calendar for just about anyone involved in any area of the UK manufacturing and engineering sector. With its focus on digitalisation, sustainability, and workforce development,
Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 will provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape. From supply chain resilience to the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to the maintenance of existing systems, Smart Manufacturing Week will explore the critical trends and solutions shaping the future of manufacturing and engineering as well as some more niche topics that are rarely covered.
Visitors benefit from the sheer range of activities available at the event. From education to commercial discussions, networking and the ability to get up close to the technology of the future all surrounded by a fun, exciting and creative atmosphere. With all this under one roof it’s a time efficient way to tick off so many of the ‘to do’ list actions all in an enjoyable, upbeat environment.
To find out more or to register to visit Smart Manufacturing Week 2025 please visit: https://www.smartmanufacturingweek. com/
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/smart-manufacturing-week/
