MACH 2026, the UK’s national event for inspiring, innovating and connecting manufacturing, continued the strong momentum generated by the 2024 exhibition, with 26,000 attending the show once again, according to the
Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), organisers of the event.
Held at the NEC Birmingham in April, the exhibition brought together the very best of UK manufacturing and engineering, featuring an impressive display of new machinery and advanced manufacturing technologies under one roof.
More than 500 exhibitors showcased cutting-edge solutions, live demonstrations and new product launches, creating an exciting and forward-looking environment for manufacturers and engineers seeking to invest in technologies shaping the industry’s future.
MACH is owned and organised by the MTA, which also encompasses a cluster of organisations, including Engineering Supply Chain UK (ESCUK), Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK) and MTA Training.
The event brought together suppliers of machine tools, cutting tools, metrology equipment, additive manufacturing (3D printing), surface engineering, robotics and automation, sheet metal, metal forming and fabrication technology, and specialist software. All of which play a key role in enabling and driving the digitalisation of manufacturing.
The show provided attendees with valuable opportunities to explore the benefits of adopting new technologies, alongside practical guidance on improving productivity, increasing efficiency and reducing operational costs. This was particularly relevant considering the difficult trading conditions faced by the UK manufacturing sector.
Seminar ProgrammeAlongside the wealth of technology on display, the event’ seminar programme was designed to inform and educate manufacturers, featuring a strong line-up of expert and industry-leading speakers.
The seminars, all of which were CPD-accredited, provided attendees with practical insights into emerging technologies, evolving market trends and strategic approaches that can drive productivity, strengthen competitiveness and unlock new growth opportunities. Complementing the extensive showcase of advanced manufacturing solutions, the sessions also delivered actionable knowledge to help businesses enhance operations, improve efficiency and future-proof their organisations in an increasingly competitive global market.
A new feature at MACH 2026 was the launch of Speakers Corner, a dedicated platform designed to connect attendees directly with exhibitors and their innovations. These fast-paced presentations gave visitors immediate access to the latest products, services and technological advancements driving UK manufacturing forward. The format enabled attendees to quickly absorb new ideas, engage with experts and gain practical answers to their challenges.
The third seminar theatre was dedicated to tooling topics, which remain central to modern manufacturing, from cutting tool materials to toolpaths and cutting data. MACH 2026 placed this important sector in the spotlight through a dedicated series of tooling seminars. The expert-led sessions provided attendees with an introduction to the latest innovations and practical solutions shaping the future of tooling within UK manufacturing.
The tooling seminars delivered actionable insights and knowledge to attendees on how to boost throughput, reduce costs and improve quality, whilst demonstrating how to implement new tooling technologies for maximum return on investment.
James Selka, CEO of the MTA, said: “Our core focus was to ensure this year’s show was designed to guide and support manufacturers in navigating challenges such as rising operational costs, skills shortages, supply chain disruption and geopolitical uncertainty.
“I believe we achieved that, and more, with 26,000 attendees seeking ways to remain competitive in the current challenging and uncertain environment in which we operate.”
Survey FindingsThe MTA revealed the results of its latest survey at the launch of MACH 2026, highlighting strong support from manufacturers for reducing the UK’s reliance on international supply chains, particularly in light of ongoing global conflicts and economic uncertainty.
The findings showed that 74% of the 358 participants would be willing to do more to build capacity in key sectors such as defence, energy and transport. However, only a quarter said they could meet increased demand immediately, whilst others indicated it could take up to six months before they would be in a position to help, highlighting a potential supply chain bottleneck if action is not taken now.
Access to funding was identified as the biggest barrier to growth, followed by lack of space, the cost of finance and wider economic uncertainty. Manufacturers called on the Government to support the sovereign manufacturing agenda through grants, enhanced tax incentives and increased support for training.
Overall, the findings suggest that UK manufacturing is ready to respond to growing demand for greater sovereign production capability, but stronger Government support will be needed to help turn ambition into reality.
Further Show HighlightsThe first day of MACH saw Mission Community, in partnership with the MTA, launch a new industry guide aimed at helping armed forces leavers transition into careers within the manufacturing sector.
Attendees at the seminar theatre also heard from James Cameron of Mission Community about plans to introduce a new industry toolkit designed to help businesses develop veteran-friendly workplace best practices and provide greater support for ex-service personnel entering the industry.
On the second day of the show, headline sponsor Lloyds welcomed senior representatives and met with HMRC following their guided tour of the exhibition. The visits highlighted the scale, innovation and industry significance of the event, whilst providing an opportunity for meaningful discussions around manufacturing, investment and future collaboration.
Day three proved to be the busiest day of MACH 2026, with a significant number of attendees attending to discover the latest manufacturing technologies and solutions.
The seminar programme continued to attract strong audiences eager to hear from leading industry experts. Morning sessions focused on additive manufacturing (AM), including the impact of robotic LFAM on transportation and how AI is transforming the way manufacturers design for additive manufacturing.
The MTA team was honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to the show on the fourth day, when he toured the exhibition and met exhibitors. His presence further emphasised the importance of the manufacturing and engineering sectors and their vital role in driving innovation, economic growth and skills development across the UK.
On the final day of MACH, the MTA was pleased to host the Minister of State for Skills, The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, and the Shadow Minister for Business and Trade, Dame Harriett Baldwin, for a guided tour of the exhibition.
The MTA says feedback from exhibitors throughout the week was overwhelmingly positive, with many reporting record numbers of enquiries and sales. Transactions worth hundreds of millions of pounds are regularly concluded at MACH, reinforcing the exhibition’s role as a major driver of investment across UK manufacturing.
Alan Mucklow, director of the UK sales and service division at
Yamazaki Mazak, said: “MACH 2026 has been a great show for us. The volume of visitors and, more importantly, the quality of those visitors has been exceptional throughout the week.
“Overall, MACH 2026 has been a very strong event for us. Mazak is proud to be part of MACH, and we look forward to returning in 2028 to showcase the latest machine tool and laser technologies.”
Mike Corbett, product presenter, and Martyn Jones, UK sales manager,
XYZ Machine Tools, added: “The conversations we’ve had at MACH 2026 have been genuine and highly valuable, with visitors actively looking for ways to improve efficiency and manufacture parts faster and to a higher standard.
“We’ve also seen a great cross-section of visitors to the stand, from shopfloor machine operators through to managing directors and senior decision-makers, which demonstrates the broad reach and value of MACH for the manufacturing industry.”
MACH 2028 will take place from 3-7th April 2028 at the NEC Birmingham. There is already significant interest in the show, with the MTA reporting a high level of stand rebookings for MACH 2028.
To find out more, please visit:
www.machexhibition.com