Subcon, the UK’s leading sub-contract manufacturing supply chain show, returns to the Birmingham NEC from 14-16 September championing face-to-face networking as the UK manufacturing sector prepares for a post-pandemic future

The annual industry show will take place at the NEC for the 44th time, heralding a welcome return to business events and reinforcing the value of meeting in-person for the UK’s manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Subcon’s return comes at a pivotal time as UK manufacturing businesses of all sizes recover from the impacts of Covid-19, adjust to operating outside the European Union (EU) and face a myriad of challenges and opportunities.

Appetite to get back to doing business in person could not be stronger: the show’s headline sponsors are IAMP and SCS Concept Group and more than 80% of stand space is now sold with over 200 companies expected to exhibit, including Hoffman Group UK, Wilson Process Systems and Oldham Engineering.

Three shows in one
Subcon is free-to-attend for anyone working in the UK’s manufacturing and engineering sectors, and visitors will also gain free access to two co-located events: The Engineer Expo and - new for 2021 – the popular Manufacturing Management Show (MMS). The Engineer Expo provides UK engineering professionals with the latest in-house manufacturing and design solutions alongside cutting-edge developments in advanced engineering technologies.

Created by the publishers of Manufacturing Management magazine, MMS delivers attendees everything they need to know about running a successful manufacturing site under one roof. From maintenance to materials handling, CI and skills, IT to health and safety, MMS showcases a multitude of topics, curated specifically for senior manufacturing leaders from across the UK.

Together, Subcon, The Engineer Expo and MMS will deliver a unique and relevant experience for the UK’s manufacturing and engineering industry, bringing the best suppliers, the latest innovations and practical advice to help build new partnerships and optimise business strategies.

In addition to discovering new suppliers and solutions at the exhibition, Subcon features a high-quality, three-day conference with forward-looking content curated by Manufacturing Management, including panel discussions, and keynote addresses from a broad variety of industry insiders, including Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson, Made in Britain CEO John Pearce, Manufacturing Excellence MD Paul Bell, NMITE associate professor Nadia Kourra.

Collectively, they will discuss everything from the UK’s role in low carbon motoring and green mobility, how to master the post-pandemic recovery, addressing mental health in the workplace, and how attracting more young people to the industry can have a positive impact on the sector’s health, wealth and productivity.

Focus on innovation
Visitors to the Subcon Conference Theatre will see the Subcon Launchpad Awards presentations taking place. After a powerful launch in 2019, The Launchpad and Launchpad Awards return for a second outing at Subcon 2021 to provide start-ups and entrepreneurs throughout the sector with a valuable platform for sharing innovation and earning much-needed recognition and brand awareness among thousands of engineering and manufacturing professionals.

Up to eight businesses under three years old will be given a free stand in the Launchpad area, offered expert advice and marketing support and automatically entered into the 2021 Launchpad Awards where they will be allocated a five-minute slot to present their innovation to a panel of expert judges including Subcon event director Gordon Kirk and judging panel chair and editor and publisher of The Engineer Jon Excell.

Mr Excell said: “We are very excited about the return of the Launchpad competition. Its debut in 2019 uncovered some truly inspirational and potentially game-changing UK engineering innovators and disruptors spanning a range of sectors, so we are really looking forward to welcoming it back and seeing this year’s crop of entries.”

For visitors attending September’s Subcon, the Launchpad is a unique opportunity to view leading-edge innovation which can drive up productivity and boost competitiveness.

Subcon event director Gordon Kirk said: “Young businesses have faced extraordinary challenges as they have sought to bring ingenuity to market over the past year. It is important that Subcon continues to provide a platform that focuses on the next generation of innovators and showcases their contribution to the future of industry and the UK’s global competitiveness.

Strategic opportunity
Mr Kirk added: “Subcon is a strategic opportunity for companies throughout the manufacturing supply chain to meet in-person, reconnect and secure business growth.

“The past 18 months has been unprecedented and Subcon will shine a light on the untold challenges and opportunities this industry is facing, including the supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic and how that has served to highlight the true value of a reliable, local supply chain offering short lead time and better quality.”

Subcon, The Engineer Expo and the Manufacturing Management Show will be run in accordance with Government guidance on Covid-19, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.

Visitor registration is now open at the website (www.subconshow.co.uk).