On 29 and 30 October 2025, more than 9,000 engineering and manufacturing professionals descended on the NEC, Birmingham for the 16th edition of
Advanced Engineering, the UK’s annual showcase for the sector. Over two days, visitors explored the very latest innovations, with more than 400 exhibitors presenting cutting-edge technologies, processes and collaborative solutions.
Major names such as Silverstone Technology Cluster, PRF Composites, GKN Aerospace, Goodfellow, Schneider Electric, Scott Bader and Optimas were among the exhibitors, alongside hundreds of SMEs and start-ups eager to demonstrate their capabilities. The event was praised for its vibrant atmosphere and the quality of networking opportunities. John Arrowsmith, sales director at Scaglia Indeva Ltd, said: “This year’s show has been really strong for us, especially lead-wise. We have had conversations with companies, including Caterpillar and Red Bull, as well as a good mix of visitors across different industries.”
Andrew Wright, manager at Jaguar Land Rover, added: “I wanted to see what’s going on across the industry. I work with lots of suppliers, so it’s useful to know what technology they should be aware of. Events like this are a great way to spot the latest trends, make new contacts and pick up ideas. It’s great to see how busy it is.”
One of the highlights was the announcement of this year’s Enabling Innovation Award winner, Ail Arian, a spin-out from Swansea University pioneering recyclable silver conductive inks for printed electronics. Designed with end-of-life recovery in mind, Ail Arian’s inks help manufacturers cut Scope 3 emissions by up to 70% and recover valuable materials that would otherwise be lost. The award secures Ail Arian a free stand at next year’s show. Other accolades included VAC Innovation for ‘Best Marketing Campaign’, Busch for ‘Best Stand’ and JOTA for ‘Most Sustainable Stand’. The newly expanded Composites Pavilion, delivered in partnership with Composites UK, also drew significant attention.
Mark Prince, founder of Dream Big Composites and winner of last year’s Enabling Innovation Award, said: “I used to come to
Advanced Engineering as a visitor, just looking at all the shiny toys. Now we are here with our own stand, thanks to that win, and the experience has been incredible. The footfall and location have been perfect and I am having genuinely meaningful conversations. We have already got two major companies to follow up with and even had a meeting with an investor. For us, that is exactly what this event is about, building networks and finding the right partners to grow.”
Building networksDay two featured the launch of the ‘AI Reality Check’ report, chaired by Jon Excell, editor of
The Engineer. The panel included Gerald Law, chief executive of Innovation DB, Dr Nandini Chakravorti CEng MIET, director of the Digital Engineering Group at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), and James McAllister, general manager of Atlas Copco in the UK and Ireland. The discussion attracted a large audience as experts explored how AI is influencing UK manufacturing—a theme reflected throughout the show, where AI, automation and digitalisation took centre stage.
The Main Stage, renamed
Future of Engineering — Powered by Automation, Robotics and AI, hosted sessions on connected manufacturing, sustainability and smart industry, sponsored by Grid Dynamics and Schneider Electric. Atlas Copco’s stand showcased an impressive Smart Manufacturing display, demonstrating how digitalisation is transforming production environments. The Innovations Gallery also proved popular, featuring 14 pioneering technologies, including Addyx’s Carbon Exoskeleton, Matta Labs’ Blue AI inspection system, LATI UK’s conductive thermoplastics and Rockwood Aerospace’s lightweight propeller blades for eVTOLs and drones.
Simon Farnfield, event director at Easyfairs, organiser of
Advanced Engineering said “This year’s show had a fantastic buzz, the halls were full of energy, with so many meaningful conversations taking place. The quality of visitors was excellent, from decision-makers at major OEMs to innovative SMEs looking to collaborate. What really stood out was the sense of community. People were staying late to network, continuing discussions over drinks and making real connections that will shape future projects. It’s everything we aim for with
Advanced Engineering.”
Visitors were also treated to impressive displays, including the RML supercar, a Lotus cutaway, Toyota Hilux hydrogen chassis, Arc Aero Systems’ drone, Rockwood’s propeller exhibit and live demonstrations from PRF Composites. The Meet the Buyer programme facilitated meetings between over 100 UK suppliers and representatives from Airbus Aircraft, Helios Information, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, Safran Helicopter Engines USA and a South Korean delegation, reinforcing the event’s role as a hub for global collaboration.
As the doors closed on another successful edition, the message was clear: collaboration, innovation and investment remain at the heart of UK manufacturing’s resurgence. Advanced Engineering will return to the NEC on November 4 and 5, 2026, co-located for the first time with UK Metals Expo, promising even greater opportunities for cross-sector networking and growth.