MACH 2022, the largest showcase of new machinery and manufacturing technologies in the UK for four years, and billed as a catalyst for investment, lived up to the hype with scores of exhibitors reporting strong sales and positive interest in their products during the five-day event at the NEC, Birmingham in April.

Moreover, in a ‘shot-in-the-arm’ for both the manufacturing industry and the exhibition itself, the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), the MACH show organiser, has reported that advance sales for the 2024 event have set a new record, with manufacturers keen to build on the opportunities created at the 2022 show. MACH 2024 is scheduled to take place from 15-19 April 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information visit the website (www.machexhibition.com).

MTA CEO James Selka said: “Given all the problems in the run-up to the exhibition – the pandemic, ongoing supply chain disruption, mounting cost pressures and international conflicts – we were absolutely delighted with the visitor reaction to the show and the positive feedback from exhibitors.

“As the MTA had predicted before the show, despite peripheral pressures, we had detected a willingness among manufacturers to invest in new equipment and technologies, and this proved to be the case. The Chancellor said in his Spring Statement in March that investment remains a key driver of productivity growth and that by adding to the economy’s capital stock and improving the skills of the workforce, the economy can produce more with the same input from workers.

Build on the momentum
“This aligns with the MTA’s own view that investment in machinery and improved skills have consistently delivered higher productivity levels down the years and will continue to do so. It is gratifying to be proved right and we thank everyone who supported MACH 2022 for their show of faith. Our hope now is that the industry can build on the momentum created and go from strength-to- strength.”

Visitor numbers held firm throughout the show, with attendance across the five days reaching 24,000. Although this number was down slightly on MACH 2018, the MTA says it was directly attributable to the drop in the level of overseas visitors — many of those who would normally attend were forced to stay at home due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Despite the absence of some international visitors, the level of business transacted during the week-long event, while still being calculated, is expected to be significant, with many exhibitors reporting strong sales as a result of their participation at the show.

XYZ Machine Tools, which recorded its best ever month in March 2022, with a sales order intake of £3.4 million, was hopeful April may exceed even this, with sales during the show alone topping £2.4 million.

Nigel Atherton, XYZ Machine Tools managing director, said: “From day one of MACH our stand was busy and the level of enquiries, and new orders resulting from the week are very encouraging. Our current levels of business are exceeding pre-Covid-19 levels and there is little sign of buying confidence slowing down.”

Busiest show ever
Chris Weston, Guhring UK managing director, said: “Before MACH, expectations may have been somewhat subdued due to the unpredictable Covid-19 situation, but that dissipated on day one with a very high number of enquiries – and this continued to surge throughout the week to give us our busiest show ever.”

Open Mind Technologies UK sales director, said: “Out of the hundreds of leads we received, there are upward of 70 companies that wished to purchase hyperMILL straight away. With MACH being the first major UK show since the pandemic, visitors came with an intent to buy – and for those companies investing in new machinery, they were subsequently directed to our stand by the machine tool suppliers. MACH 2022 was a resounding success, and our team will be busy over the summer.”

Ken Baldwin, Alan Mucklow, Yamazaki Mazak UK managing director, UK and national distributor sales, said: “There is no better opportunity to get up close with the latest machines than at MACH. This year’s show was a clear demonstration that the trade show is not only alive and well, but also an important date in the calendar for the machine tool industry and the wider manufacturing sector.

“We took the opportunity to successfully launch two new UK manufactured machines and the feedback from customers and prospects was extremely positive. I would like to thank the MTA for organising a fantastic show that delivered for exhibitors and visitors alike.”

The MTA said the volume of visitors per square metre of exhibition space was higher than in 2018, while it was particularly gratified by the growth in the number of students visiting the show, especially in the Education & Development Zone, which was specifically designed to attract young people and to show them how rewarding a career in manufacturing could be.

Mr Selka concluded: “A further indication of the newfound confidence surrounding the manufacturing technologies sector is that the MTA has sold more advance exhibition space for 2024 than for any preceding MACH event.

“This is a significant development and underlines how important the MACH exhibition is to the industry and at a time when cost pressures on business are significant, such a show of support sends out a very positive message.”