Just three months to go till Subcon 2018

 With just three months to go, industry preparations for Subcon, the defining event in the manufacturing supply chain calendar, are now well underway.  Now in its 42nd year, Subcon returns to the NEC in Birmingham across 5^th - 7^th June 2018. The landmark, three-day event will arm UK manufacturing and engineering professionals with the latest manufacturing and design solutions, alongside cutting-edge developments in advanced engineering technologies.

Of the 400 world-class suppliers who exhibited in 2017, more than a third have already confirmed for this year.  This includes businesses such as Bowman Additive Production and Laser Lines, both of whom provide 3D printing services and technology.  Elsewhere, CAD / CAM specialists Smart Design Services will demonstrate how design software can increase design efficiency and other software providers include ECI, Redthorn and IndySoft.

Other names already singed up include B.S.C (Diecasting), Carlton Die Casting, Cooper Brown Enterprises, Lucy Group, Timsons Engineering, Cogent Technology and measurement and metrology specialists such as Hexagon, Faro and Zeiss. 

The 2018 event will see a range of new pavilions, highlighting deep, last-mile expertise and providing keenly focused, industry specific solutions for metals, transport, materials, electronics, automotive, aerospace and energy sectors.

Also new for 2018, Subcon will be co-located with The Engineer Expo to create the first, truly cross sector industry event with visitors able to enjoy unlimited access to both shows. This will enable engineering and manufacturing visitors alike to see how they can optimise production and process throughout the design and manufacturing cycles.

A six-stream, 36-session conference programme will be held across two theatres.  A key theme of the event will be developing cross-sector collaboration: taking the lessons learnt from successful innovation within industries such as automotive, aerospace and defence, and applying them elsewhere to create true competitive advantage.

Speakers will include leaders from some of the biggest, most established names in UK engineering and manufacturing, alongside innovators from disruptive start-ups. Topics will include the latest Smart Factory developments, real world applications of the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced integrated circuits (ICs), sensing, measurement and process control, materials design, synthesis and processing. Elsewhere, expert panels will explore the potential of sustainable and additive manufacturing as well as showcasing industry case studies in cross sector collaboration and open innovation.

“2018 has already seen an incredibly strong start for UK manufacturing and engineering,” said Gordon Kirk, event director, Subcon.  “UK manufacturing output is expanding at its fastest rate since early 2008. November 2017 saw a seventh consecutive month of growth, so it is no wonder we are seeing such strong interest so early on, especially as this year Subcon will combine with The Engineer Expo to create the first truly cross sector event.”

To register your attendance at Subcon 2018 please visit www.subconshow.co.uk

Quarter of manufacturing companies plan to appoint subcontractors in next 12 months

Subcon, the UK’s only dedicated event for subcontract manufacturing returns to the NEC, Birmingham, next week with the manufacturing sector on a high and looking for new suppliers.

The latest research by Subcon shows that 23% of companies plan to appoint new subcontractors in the next 12 months. And with 400 exhibitors from all sectors and across all technologies, Subcon 2017 will provide visitors with the ideal opportunity to get face to face with potential suppliers.

With companies having to keep a clear strategic focus on their core competencies, the trend towards outsourcing some or all manufacturing processes is accelerating.

According to the survey, the key reasons for subcontracting manufacturing processes rather than carrying them out in-house were: only wanting to focus on core competencies (47%), not having enough capacity in-house (45%) and gaining access to processes (41%) and expertise (38%) they don’t have themselves.

According to the survey results, 15% of manufacturers have increased the amount of work they place with subcontractors in the past 12 months and 20% expect to increase it further in the coming year.

This is good news for UK manufacturing as 10% of companies asked had re-shored work to the UK in the past 12 months and 27% expected the proportion of work placed with UK suppliers to increase in the next three years. The key factors here were quality (71%), logistical considerations (59%), response time (46%) and cost (46%).

Subcon 2017 runs from 6 to 8 June alongside The Advanced Manufacturing Show and The Engineer Design & Innovation Show. Together the three shows cover the complete manufacturing cycle from concept to component, bringing together design engineering, product development, in-house production and outsourced supply chains.

Subcon is the UK’s only event dedicated to outsourced manufacturing. It serves all sectors and all processes – from machining, sheet metalworking, casting and forging, to plastic moulding, composites and electronics.

The Advanced Manufacturing Show covers every aspect of production technology. including machine tools, workholding and accessories, software, additive manufacturing and metrology. Exhibitors including XYZ Machine Tools, Hurco, Renishaw, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Autodesk, Faro and 1^st MTA.

The third piece in the jigsaw is The Engineer Design and Innovation Show. This offers everything a design engineer needs to create innovative new products – from CAD and simulation software to prototyping and components. Exhibitors include Bowman Additive Manufacturing, Laser Lines, Johnson Matthey, Ricoh Imaging and Schunk Intec.

Complementing the shows, two free-to-attend conference streams will address key industry issues including additive manufacturing, Industry 4.0, the Apprenticeship Levy and lightweight components.

Subcon event director Gordon Kirk said: “To succeed in volatile and keenly competitive markets, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on what they do best. This means working with subcontract manufacturing partners who are experts at what they do, have access to the latest technology and possess unique know-how. Subcon is the ideal opportunity for them to find the right suppliers for their outsourcing requirement.

“At the same time, the Advanced Manufacturing Show and The Engineer Design and Innovation Show give them access to the design and production tools that are vital to their core operations. Together, the three shows are an unmissable proposition for UK manufacturers.”

Register now to attend at www.subconshow.co.uk , www.advancedmanufacturingshow.co.uk and www.theengineer-designinnovationshow.co.uk .

UK MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRY INCREASINGLY CONFIDENT THAT BREXIT WILL BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Ahead of Theresa May and Government triggering Article 50 tomorrow (29 March), a survey by The Engineer in collaboration with Subcon 2017 has revealed a marked increase in the number of manufacturing and engineering companies who believe Brexit will be good for business and industry.

When asked if they think their company will have a stronger future once Britain exits the EU, 40 per cent of the 269 businesses polled answered yes compared to 14 per cent 11 months ago.  The level of uncertainty has doubled, however, with 14 per cent of businesses unsure what impact leaving the EU will have compared to 7 per cent in 2016.

The survey also asked if businesses think UK manufacturing and engineering – as a whole – will have a stronger future once Britain is no longer part of the EU. 45 per cent answered yes, compared to 30 per cent last year – an increase of 50 per cent.

A new question for 2017 asked if business and industry will suffer if Brexit impacts free movement of labour and responses were split down the middle: 46 per cent believe it will have an impact; 47 per cent believe it will make no difference.

Gordon Kirk, Event Director, Subcon, commented: “It’s encouraging to hear that industry is feeling confident and positive about the future and our poll certainly supports that in relation to Brexit.

“It’s interesting to see the significant sway in opinion since we last polled businesses 11 months ago, especially as the UK is still at least two years away from breaking away completely from the European Union. The complex process of negotiating new trade agreements has not begun and the full impact of Brexit is yet to be felt, so it will be very interesting to see whether confidence continues to grow at the same rate over the next 12 months.”

SURVEY RESULTS IN FULL 

2016: Do you think Britain should leave or remain in the EU?

Leave  37%

Remain  50%

I don’t know  13%

2016: Do you think your company will have a stronger future if Britain leaves the EU?

Yes  14%

No  79%

I don’t know  7%

2017: Do you think your company will have a stronger future now that Britain is leaving the European Union?

Yes  40%

No  46%

I don’t know  14% 

2017: Has your opinion changed in the last 12 months?

Yes  16%

No  83%

I don’t know  1%

2016: Do you think the UK manufacturing/engineer industry will have a stronger future if Britain leaves in the EU?

Yes  30%

No  52%

I don’t know  8%

2017: Do you think the UK manufacturing/engineering industry will have a stronger future now that Britain is leaving the European Union?

Yes   45%

No   41%

I don’t know  14%

2017: Has your opinion changed in the last 12 months?

Yes  20%

No  80%

2017: Do you think your business/industry will suffer if Brexit impacts free movement of labour? 

Yes  46%

No  47%

I don’t know  8%

Subcon is the UK’s only dedicated event for contract and subcontract manufacturing. It covers all sectors and technologies and allows subcontract manufacturing buyers to source suppliers, benchmark capabilities, and form new manufacturing partnerships.

The Advanced Manufacturing Show is the biennial event for machine tools, tooling and metrology equipment. It allows production professionals the opportunity to benchmark the latest manufacturing technology on the market to make their investment and purchasing decisions.

The Engineer Design & Innovation Show is a showcase for the tools designers need to develop innovative world-beating products and bring them to market. It offers a one-stop shop for all the products and services required at every stage of the product design, prototyping and development cycle.

The three shows run together at the NEC, Birmingham, from 6 to 8 June 2017. 

Register now at www.subconshow.co.uk.