The Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association (MMMA) recently hosted its specialist metalworking exhibition within MACH 2022, which proved to be a great attraction to visitors throughout the week. Working together with the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) to deliver the largest and best Metalworking Village over the five days was a resounding success, with some members of the association even taking orders on the opening morning.

Visitors to the Metalworking Village were able to see many working presses and associated technologies demonstrated live, and face-to-face contact with visitors was considered a top priority following the Covid-19 restrictions and the opportunity MACH 2022 provided proved invaluable to both members and visitors, who were more than keen to discuss potential projects.

Group Rhodes CEO Mark Ridgeway said: “It was great to be back at the NEC for the MACH show and to interact directly with our customer base. The importance of face-to-face contact early in the sales cycle cannot be over-emphasised.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Meachen, managing director of Press Form Machinery, said: “We welcomed a great crowd of people across all five days, and witnessed strong interest in our entire product range from both new and existing customers. The exhibition also proved to be the perfect opportunity for us to introduce our new agency Zani Presse and to also showcase new equipment from Haeger and Virtek.”

Adrian Haller, Bruderer UK managing director, was very satisifed. He said: “We had over 100 good enquiries and saw a lot of old and new faces — a welcome relief to once again have face-to-face meetings. We will be coming again in 2024 and preparation for the stand design has already started as we feel this is the best platform to showcase not only our latest products but also our technical capabilities.

Jonathan Labrum, managing director of Cotswold Machinery Sales Ltd, said: “We chose MACH 2022 to launch our latest technology and services. We had a tremendous response and the high level of enquiries will keep us busy in the months to come.”

The MMMA Coffee Lounge, the main hub of the Village was also busy and received a lot of interest from companies wishing to explore the possibility of membership and the benefits it could bring.

The association has already started to plan for MACH 2024 and is looking to increase the size of the Metalworking Village to build on he success of this year’s show.