With a line-up of more than 2,000 participating companies from 33 countries, Metaltech 2018 returns to Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur from 23 to 26 May.

This year’s theme is Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing; exhibitors will be showcasing their latest technologies and products.

Once again, Metaltech — now in its 24th year — will co-locate with Automex (the International Automation Technology Exhibition).

Like many other advanced countries, Malaysia’s manufacturing industry is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, as it invests in robotic assembly lines, precision engineering techniques and computer-controlled processes.

Visitors to Automex will be able to find ‘state of the art’ intelligent systems, automation and robotics technologies.

Flexible manufacturing automation systems and will range from machining centres and CNC machine tools to sheet metal stamping and laser cutting.

Many exhibitors are also showcasing complete assembly lines rather than individual machine tools. Digital processing and manufacturing technologies are also highlights of this year’s show.

Metaltech’s seminar programme will tackle the challenges and opportunities of Industry 4.0 ‘head on’.

This new ‘paradigm’ in industrial production integrates computers and automation in innovative ways, making use of the Internet of Things to enable manufacturing processes that are more efficient, accurate and adaptable to changing requirements.

Visitors to Metaltech 2018 will have the opportunity to learn from industry heavyweights through the live demonstrations on the show floor.

One called ‘end-to-end solutions in the smartphone manufacturing process’ will show how precision engineering, collaborative robots and artificial intelligence are enabling breakthroughs in smartphone manufacturing.

The popular business match-making programme will also return this year. In previous years, it has helped countless buyers and sellers to meet suitable business partners from the South East Asian region and beyond.

This free service is available exclusively to visitors who pre-register their attendance, and it will ensure that they arrive with a schedule of appointments already in hand, ready to make the most of their time at the show.

Face-to-face time with suppliers can be crucial to making well-informed decisions about the sourcing of products and services.

Machine tool and metal-working machine buyers will have even more opportunities to expand their international offerings at this year’s show, with the introduction of a new UK pavilion hosted by the Engineering Industries Association.

Karen Finegold, EIA executive director, said: “This is a great opportunity for UK companies to access one of South East Asia’s fast-expanding markets under the umbrella of the EIA’s pavilion.

"The UK Department for International Trade is offering eligible UK companies exhibiting at the show up to £2,500 towards their participation.”

Metaltech 2018 will feature a total of five international pavilions, with South Korea, China, Singapore and Taiwan also set to showcase their latest manufacturing technologies and Online pre-registration is now open for industry
professionals on the Web site (www.metaltech.com.my).

Interested UK-based companies who would like to exhibit at the show can contact Karen Finegold at the EIA +44 (0)7815 867390 or email .

Machinery Market (www.machinery-market.co.uk) will again be exhibiting at the show, where it will be distributing copies of its new Machinery-Locator.com show supplement.

Visitors will find out why it is the best place to source new and used machinery (www.machinery-locator.com) and how Machinery Market can promote manufacturers, machine tool companies and suppliers of related production equipment to a world-wide audience — in print, digital and on-line.