Southern manufacturing returns to Farnborough

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre from 3 to 5 February 2026. Now an established international event, it is recognised as the foremost annual industrial trade fair in the UK and a major pan-European showcase for the latest innovations in machine tools, production equipment, test and measurement, PCB design, contract electronics manufacture, and engineering and business software. Inaugurated in 1997, the event has evolved from its regional roots into a show of global significance that now attracts more than 500 exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors.

This year’s show is poised to build on the success of a record-breaking year in 2025 — already heading for a complete sell-out, it has seen extra stand space created to accommodate the high level of demand. The traditional vibrant atmosphere in the hall is testament to the show's effectiveness as a place to conduct business and results in a high rate of return stand bookings by participants, many of which have been regular attendees since the very beginning.

A defining characteristic of the exhibition is an absence of physical barriers between the mechanical engineering and electronics sectors, allowing visitors to move freely between disciplines and in some cases discover unfamiliar technologies that might otherwise be missed. The organiser, www.easyfairs.com Easyfairs, operates a policy of open access that prevents larger firms from dominating the space. The 2026 edition will once again feature a diverse mix of world-class international suppliers alongside the rich ecosystem of British engineering SMEs, which remains at the heart of the event.

In addition to a vast array of hardware, components and sub-contract services on display, the 2026 event will highlight industry trends such as Industry 4.0 and ‘green energy’ solutions. Robot and cobot workpiece handling systems will be aimed at addressing skills shortages and supply chain pressures by helping UK engineering professionals to increase productivity and meet delivery obligations.

Additional products and services essential for the smooth running of businesses will include oil and coolant supply, workshop equipment, dust and fume extraction, humidity control, workplace storage, bespoke case and foam manufacture, plastic packaging, labelling equipment, hand tools, adhesives, industrial flooring, waste removal and recycling, freight forwarding services, and financial and business consultancy.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026 is therefore an important destination for anyone involved in design, production, procurement, training or management in the UK's manufacturing and engineering sectors. To assist in navigating the expansive 20,000m² venue, Technology Trails will guide visitors to firms with expertise in specific areas of interest. As last time, the organiser will maximise the efficiency of visitor interaction with exhibitors via an event app and smart badge technology designed to enable seamless exchange of information.

Exhibitor highlights
First-time exhibitor MPE Electronics will present its high-reliability contract electronics manufacturing services, including PCB assembly and full box build for industrial and commercial sectors. The company will demonstrate how dependable CEM partnerships can reduce procurement pressures and improve supply chain resilience.

Returning exhibitor Newbury Electronics will highlight its comprehensive in-house capability, covering electronic product design, PCB layout, fabrication, assembly, testing and certification. Services include one-day turnaround PCBs, conformal coating, laser-cut solder paste stencils and advanced EMC and environmental testing.

Digital transformation will also feature prominently, with Tecman showcasing Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) platform designed to unify manufacturing and distribution data for improved operational visibility and scalability.

On stand J200, Thame Workholding will display the Samchully JBM/JBH Jaw Boring Open Centre Hydraulic Chuck, the world’s first power chuck with a built-in boring ring. This innovation eliminates conventional boring rings, reduces set-up time by up to 90% and extends jaw life with ultra-fine 0.1mm adjustment capability.

The Innovations Gallery will include Silclear’s re-Sil, a recycled silicone material developed to reduce industrial waste, and Blue, an AI system for inspection, anomaly detection and quality control, presented by Matta Labs on stand M180.

China Outsourcing will rebrand as Global Outsourcing, reflecting its evolution into an international manufacturing partner supporting customers across multiple countries.

AutoAero
The show also hosts AutoAero, a specialised theme dedicated to the UK’s aerospace and automotive sectors, both of which are vital to the national economy. The UK aerospace industry is the largest in Europe, second in turnover only to the USA internationally. As the birthplace of British aviation, Farnborough occupies a special position in this sector. AutoAero provides an ideal opportunity for aerospace and automotive professionals to source suppliers with essential skills across disciplines such as precision mechanical engineering, electronics, testing, and advanced materials including composites.

Complementing the exhibition is a free, CPD-accredited technical seminar programme, with two theatres devoted to mechanical and electronic engineering respectively. The emphasis will be on actionable strategies, rather than high-level theory. Key themes for 2026 on the mechanical side will be the path to operational excellence, improvements and developments in digital transformation, process optimisation and practical lessons from leading manufacturers.

In the electronics sessions, topics will include the impact of automation and digitalisation, and insights into adopting additive manufacturing as well as other cutting-edge technologies. There will be a return of the Global Electronics Association’s Soldering Competition, including a new feature for 2026, a Wire Harness Competition.

The venue is well served by road and public transport links and there is free parking for 3,500 vehicles. Throughout the three-day event, a regular, complimentary shuttle bus service runs between the two local railway stations and the showground. Doors open daily at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm on the first two days, with a 4pm finish on the final day. Admission to the exhibition is also free. To register for an entry pass register visit the website: here.