The annual Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show is the largest and most comprehensive industrial trade fair in the UK and a major international event highlighting cutting-edge engineering and manufacturing technology.
Easyfairs, an exhibitions specialist that runs over 100 events across Europe and the show’s new management, said that this year is already heading to be a sell-out, due to an exceptionally high level of demand from both domestic and overseas companies.
In evidence will be the latest in machine tools, tooling, workholding and other production hardware, companies offering metrology platforms and contract inspection services, additive manufacturing (AM) equipment, consumables and bureau services, and numerous subcontractors offering a comprehensive range of production expertise – from heavy sheet metalworking and tube bending to machining of miniature turned and prismatic components.
Suppliers of plastic injection and rubber mouldings will be in attendance, alongside companies specialising in controls, displays, HMIs, data acquisition systems, sensors, drives, encoders, cables, connectors, electro-mechanical components, mechatronics assemblies, fasteners, pressings, wire forms, springs and gaskets.
Additional products and services will include oil and coolant supply, workplace environmental control, packaging and storage, labelling, adhesives, waste removal and recycling, and business and financial consultancy.
This year's show is set to reflect the ongoing growth in digitalisation of production, as well as an increase in Industry 4.0 manufacturing systems. There will be an emphasis on reshoring of production, plus new ecological technologies such as green energy generation and power-saving machinery. Robotics and other forms of autonomous handling will feature strongly, driven by a skills shortage in Britain and across Europe.
Even though the industries and technologies presented throughout the hall are diverse, there are no barriers between the areas, allowing cross-over between different disciplines. Many of the 9,000+ visitors each year say it is an aspect of the show that is especially useful, as it encourages a wide-ranging itinerary around the stands, often leading to discovery of firms specialising in related technologies that could otherwise easily be missed.
Having so many exhibitors under one roof makes the event ideal for anyone involved in design, manufacture, procurement, training or management to address multiple research and sourcing requirements efficiently.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics attracts big-name manufacturers, SMEs and smaller vendors alike, as the show organiser operates an open-access policy that discourages larger firms from dominating the space to the detriment of smaller ones. It is a defining quality that gives the exhibition a collaborative atmosphere that fosters learning and discovery.
Visitors will notice some positive functional changes next month – notably, attendees will receive a new Smart Badge with which they can simply touch an ‘EasyGo’ badge reader on each stand they visit, and the relevant information will be emailed to them the following morning. New also is a dedicated app, Visit Connect, for lead generation.
As always, machine tool companies will be there in force. Hurco’s theme is making machining more efficient and precise, especially for small and medium production runs. It will be demonstrating the latest software developments in the company's proprietary Max5 conversational, touch-screen control. One advance is the Solid Model Import option, which allows conversational programs to be created directly from an STP file.
Hurco’s machines on show will include the versatile VM10i machining centre with a working volume of 660 x 406 x 508 mm and a small footprint, and the TM8Mi 3-axis, driven-tool CNC lathe with 12-station VDI 30 turret for turn-milling parts up to 256 mm in diameter and 497 mm long. Bar work is up to 64.5 mm diameter and the machine has an 8-inch hydraulic three-jaw chuck, parts catcher and swarf conveyor.
Machine Tool Supplies is attending after a gap of more than a decade. The firm supplies driven and static tooling from MT Srl for CNC lathes, angle heads and speed increasers from OMG srl for CNC machining centres, and broaching and slotting equipment from Brighetti Meccanica, all the manufacturers being based in the north of Italy.
The supplier is also sole agent for Sassatelli revolving centres and face drivers, Grippall bar pullers, Scheussler spindle tooling and shrink machines, and Allmatic workholding solutions. On show will be many driven tooling solutions including gear hobbing, reciprocating broaching and gear skiving. More than 11,000 static and driven tooling options are available.
Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions and Zayer machine tools in the UK and Ireland, and a leading automation systems supplier, will also be showcasing a DN Solutions multi-tasking, large bore, mill-turn machine. The Fanuc-controlled Puma SMX 2100SB is a popular lathe equipped with two opposing 22 kW / 5,000 rpm spindles, a 12,000 rpm B-axis milling head, a 40-tool position ATC, a 12/24-position turret with driven tooling, and integrated thermal compensation. The machine, which will be under power at the show, is designed for complex, high-precision, one-hit part processing.
Whitehouse Machine Tools will launch the CubeBOX Pallet Pool PT-18 machine tool tending solution under its agency agreement with the Turkish manufacturer, Tezmaksan. The robotic cell will be connected to a Japanese-built Brother M300Xd1 5-axis mill/turn machining centre to illustrate how manufacturers can maximise their production output, raise productivity and reduce lead-times through long periods of unattended running.

The system is especially useful for automating production on a shop floor where space is limited and can handle up to 24 pallets, which are loaded and unloaded by a 6-axis robot. Not only that, but the unit contains 16 extra cutters that can be exchanged by the robot in and out of the tool magazine, again fully automatically.
T W Ward CNC Machinery will promote manufacturing solutions based on CNC lathes, machining centres, multi-tasking machines and boring and milling machines from, amongst others, Hyundai-Wia, Hartford, Soraluce, Takisawa, Hankook and Gurutzpe. XYZ Machine Tools will present live demonstrations of its rigid, thermally stable machines featuring a Meehanite cast iron base. They are coupled with ProtoTRAK or Siemens controls and are ideal for prototype and low-volume production.
Colchester Machine Tool Solutions will also showcase two CNC machines: the compact Storm VL-550 vertical machining centre, which utilises linear guideways and is capable of heavy duty, precise machining; and the Tornado SL25 MSY twin-spindle CNC turning centre, which has a 12-station Y-axis turret for versatile machining and high productivity. In addition, the Lightning Class 1 permanent laser marking system boasts a wide set of features, and there will be a range of Pratt Burnerd International manual and power chucking solutions.
Yamazaki Mazak will exhibit its latest high-performance turning centre, the new HQR-200/3 NEO, featuring two 22 kW / 5,000 rpm spindles and three turrets, optimised for high-efficiency turning, milling and drilling in a single setup. Simultaneous, balanced cutting at both spindles reduces cycle times by up to 25 per cent compared with a twin-turret machine.
Ideal for medium to large batch size production of diverse components, Mazak’s lathe integrates seamlessly with automation solutions, from bar feeders to robotic machine tending setups, enabling flexible and unattended operation. Visitors will also be invited to see the new MAZATROL SmoothG3 control fitted to the machine, featuring three channels that intuitively help operators to optimise tool paths, reduce unnecessary tool changes, balance machining time on each turret and avoid collisions.
In the area of metrology, Carfulan group will show quality control solutions from several of its principals, namely SYS Systems and OGP UK, plus sister data management software company Prolink UK, whose products will be making their debut at the show. The group is also active in 3D printing, tool presetting, tool inspection, tool storage and tool management, as well as multi-sensor and non-contact measurement and statistical process control software.
British co-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufacturer LK Metrology will show an Altera C 10.7.7 HA model equipped with its new EcoAir function, an energy-saving device that automatically stops delivery of compressed air to the CMM after a period of inactivity. New also will be LK's own CMM laser scanning probe, the SLK25 VIVID, and the company's modular tool storage and change racks for tactile probes, laser scanners, extension bars and other sensor accessories. There will be an LK FREEDOM arm with a 4.5 inch diameter mounting ring for enhanced stability and accuracy. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to experience LK's new interactive virtual reality showroom featuring 10 CMMs running inspection programs.

Over the three days, visitors will be able to attend an extensive programme of free technical seminars covering a wide range of topics, with a particular focus on the technical, managerial and environmental issues facing manufacturers today. All sessions will be CPD-approved to ensure they meet specific quality standards. Easyfairs said that this is another aspect of the exhibition that it intends to expand, as promoting education is another of the company's core beliefs. The Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits (IPC) hand soldering competition also returns in 2025.
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics co-locates with AutoAero, a specialist thread that runs through the main programme concentrating on matters important to automotive and aerospace engineering. Both sectors directly contribute billions of pounds to the UK's GDP, while supporting numerous industries and businesses in the supply chains and providing much needed employment for highly skilled people.
Don’t miss out on all that this event has to offer – register today for free admission to the exhibition here.