The organisers of the PPMA show, the UK’s premier free-to-attend complete production line event for processing and packaging machinery, are expecting this year’s show to be the largest in recent years, with exhibitor floor space already up by more than 2000m² compared to preparations for the 2014 show, this time last year.
Returning to the NEC, Birmingham, the show runs over three days (29th September – 1st October), and will see more than 300 exhibitors display the latest technologies and product launches from across the UK’s manufacturing industries.
Benefitting from the community atmosphere associated with British manufacturing, the show provides a meeting place for decision makers from across a range of industries to network with key manufacturers and distributors, all set against a back drop of innovation and industry expertise.
Last year’s show saw more than 8,000 visitors take to the floor in search of the latest developments from across a range of industries including the food, drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, dairy, snacks, construction and electronic sectors.
Features at this year’s show include a new robotics and Industrial Vision Area, which is set to include the latest inventive and quirky uses of robotic technology, and the PPMA Show Seminar Theatre, which last year included presentations from the likes of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon, M&S, Tesco and Wykes Farm.
With the PPMA Group committed to finding solutions to deal with the current manufacturing skills gap experienced by the processing and packaging industries, this year’s Seminar Theatre will also include specific presentations as part of the PPMA Best initiative, a new charitable trust aimed at recruiting more young people in the industry. It will also see the return of the Ones to Watch Award which recognises the contributions of processing and packaging professionals under the age of 35. Sponsored by Festo, the awards are chosen by a select group from the PPMA Group Industry awards judging panel, with colleagues being urged to nominate outstanding candidates to the PPMA Show press office.
The show will also welcome back last year’s headline sponsor, Lloyds Bank, who will be on hand to offer visitors guidance on the financial services available to those companies operating in the manufacturing sector.
Lloyds Bank has pledged to lend an additional £1bn each year until 2017 to the manufacturing sector. The bank is also behind the Manufacturing Technology Centre’s new training hub, which is due to launch in September, and will support 1,000 new apprentices in high-value manufacturing roles.
David Atkinson, Head of SME Manufacturing at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The PPMA Show is a major landmark in the manufacturing sector calendar. Showcasing the best the nation has to offer in cutting-edge engineering technology, the event will no doubt thrill and inspire a thriving industry. Our dedicated manufacturing team are already supporting many of the exhibitors in bringing their products and services to market and helping them capitalise on growth opportunities.”
Grant Collier, head of marketing for the PPMA Group, said: “Having seen the event return to the sole ownership and management of the PPMA Group last year, we were absolutely delighted with how successful the show was. Following the positive feedback we received from visitors and exhibitors at last year’s show, we’re looking forward to this year’s event which we’re hoping will be one of the most successful in our history.”
