Now in its 45th year, Subcon, the UK’s leading sub-contracting event will be championing the sector once again at the NEC, Birmingham next month. Taking place from 7-9 June 2022, the show will be dedicated to sub-contract manufacturing buyers, enabling them to source suppliers, benchmark capabilities, and form new manufacturing partnerships.

Visitors will find everything from product design, prototyping and development, contract and sub-contract products and services right through to machine tools, systems and equipment.

Subcon will be co-located with The Engineer Expo and the Manufacturing Management Show — offering three shows in one — and bringing together even more of the best suppliers, latest innovations and practical advice available to the manufacturing sector.

The Engineer Expo is the dedicated event for the advanced engineering community that drives manufacturing and design solutions. Organised by The Engineer, the show provides a unique platform for engineers to source the latest advanced engineering technology, products and services, enabling them to optimise production and process throughout the manufacturing cycle.

Meanwhile, the Manufacturing Management Show (MMS) brings together everything manufacturers need to know about running a successful manufacturing site under one roof — from maintenance, materials-handling, sustainability, skills, IT and health and safety.

Visitors will be able to see first-hand new innovations from over 200 world-class suppliers to help increase capacity, optimise productivity and improve flexibility, while also driving down costs to stay competitive in the global market.

Huge opportunities
Subcon exhibitors span a massive range of manufacturing and engineering businesses, including assembly work, CNC machining, metal fabrication, 3-D printing and many more. As this diversity of exhibitors shows, there will be huge opportunities to forge strategic partnerships and improve existing processes.

Exhibitors include: Basildon-based DVR Ltd, a leading sub-contract electronics manufacturing company (CEM) in the UK, servicing all sectors of the electronics market. With advanced technology systems, it provides an ‘end-to-end’ solution and has recently introduced SAS Ltd, a rapid PCBA prototyping service to its portfolio.

Meanwhile, West Sussex-based Flexible Machining Systems Ltd (FMS) supplies multiple industrial sectors. The AS9100D and BS EN ISO 9001 certified company can meet the highest standards for all the components and systems it produces. The FMS facility also houses the operations of its sister company Horsham Sheet Metal, which is currently being fully integrated at the site.

Also exhibiting is Goodman Metalworks, a full-service metal fabrications solution provider. With clients in the aerospace, recycling, sub-sea and quarrying sectors; it is well placed to serve a customer’s needs no matter how complex.

West Yorkshire-based JKN Oiltools Ltd, a precision engineering sub-contractor, produces high-quality machined parts and fabrications to customer specifications and guarantees on-time delivery. The company supplies components and fabrications to customers in a variety of sectors including major pump manufacturers, valve companies, food machine manufacturers and a wide range of smaller sectors.

Greater Manchester-based Oldham Engineering Ltd is an established sub-contract medium to heavy engineering business and its services include precision CNC machining, fabrication, welding, robotic welding, mechanical assembly, equipment refurbishment, turn key projects and project management. It has the ability to batch manufacture and also manufacture bespoke smaller quantities and ‘one offs’.

Free conference sessions
Visitors can also enjoy over 30 hours of free conference sessions lead by industry experts discussing the key issues and trends that are driving innovation and shaping the UK’s industrial landscape. From the latest developments in key technology areas such as hydrogen mobility, electrification, and nuclear fusion to keynote insights on automation, finance and engineering skills.

Speakers confirmed for this year include: Dave Short, BAE Systems technology director: Innovation in the defence sector; Ian Whiting, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre commercial director: Scaling-up UK electric-vehicle battery manufacture; Tony Langtry, head of mechanical engineering at Tokamak Energy: The engineering challenges of nuclear of fusion; Hugo Spowers, Riversimple founder: Transforming mobility with hydrogen; Professor Ric Allot, STFC director of business development: Industrial applications of Big Science; Professor Chris Tuck from the University of Nottingham: Insight from the cutting edge of the UK additive manufacturing research community; Nick Hawker, First Light Fusion CEO and co-founder: The commercial application of nuclear fusion; and Martin Little, Rail Alliance commercial director: the overlooked opportunities within rail.

Jason Dante, event director for Subcon, said: “With Brexit, Covid-19 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, we are more aware than ever of the pressures on UK engineering and manufacturing businesses, so we have crammed as much value into the event as we can.

“This year, alongside the Engineer Expo and Manufacturing Management Show theatre, we also have a brand new supply chain theatre that will bring together an expert line-up of speakers to talk about the biggest challenges and opportunities for the sector.

“We also once again have ensured there will be ample networking opportunities available at the show, including the VIP buyers lounge, sponsored by Qimtek. There will also be a couple of extra surprises in celebration of the Jubilee. We are incredibly excited to include so much new material at Subcon 2022 and can’t wait to open the doors of the NEC.”

For more information or to register for a free ticket to visit the show, visit the website (click here).