The UK’s largest annual gathering of engineering and manufacturing professionals is back and bigger than ever next week.
Advanced Engineering 2025 returns to the NEC, Birmingham on 29 & 30 October, offering a powerful platform for the entire industrial ecosystem to connect, collaborate and chart the future of high-value manufacturing.
With over 400 exhibitors, including 130 new and 200+ expert speakers, this year’s show is poised to reflect the fast-changing needs of UK industry — from Net Zero targets and digital transformation to skills development and supply chain resilience.
A pivotal moment for UK manufacturing
This year’s event lands just months after the UK Government announced a 10-year industrial strategy that promises to reduce electricity costs by up to 25% for more than 7,000 manufacturing firms, while unlocking billions in investment for R&D, AI and energy infrastructure.
The renewed long-term focus on industry is energising the sector — and Advanced Engineering is where that momentum will be felt most.
“Every year, we see the latest innovations on display and the energy from exhibitors and attendees proves just how important this event is,” said Simon Farnfield, Event Director at Easyfairs UK & Global. “The 2025 edition is set to deliver even more value for visitors and exhibitors alike.”
Innovation takes centre stage
For 2025, a key focus is on real-world problem-solving — and the SMEs leading the way. From cutting-edge automation and embedded systems to advanced composites and semiconductors, small and mid-sized innovators are given a major platform to shine.
The SME Village is one of several show zones that will champion early-stage innovation, allowing agile manufacturers to exhibit side-by-side with sector leaders. Nearby, the Electronics Zone and the AM2 Forum (Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials) offer even more opportunities to explore cutting-edge technology.
A growing focus on composites
This year also sees the return — and significant expansion — of the Composites Pavilion, now in its fourth year and fully booked well ahead of the event. Delivered in partnership with Composites UK, the pavilion offers easy-access pods for companies to exhibit with confidence. The surrounding Composites Networking Zone adds even more visibility, drawing in OEMs from aerospace, automotive, marine and renewable energy sectors.
“Composites UK's partnership with Advanced Engineering is essential as it highlights the transformative potential of composite materials, fosters innovation and creates valuable business connections that contribute to the growth and development of the composite manufacturing sector,” said Dr Sue Halliwell, operations manager at Composites UK.
Live demonstrations from PRF Composite Materials will also headline the pavilion, showcasing high-performance prepreg systems and recycled carbon solutions. Meanwhile, the Composites Forum, reimagined for 2025, will present two full days of expert-led content on sustainability, material circularity and product innovation — all designed to help the sector collaborate more effectively and push its net-zero ambitions forward.
Connecting buyers and suppliers
Another highlight of this year’s event is the return of the Meet the Buyer programme, developed in collaboration with ADS Group. Taking place inside the ADS Pavilion, this curated matchmaking initiative pairs OEM procurement teams with suppliers across the advanced manufacturing industry.
Last year, more than 100 suppliers and 18 major buyer representatives took part — and 2025 is expected to raise the bar again. Successful applicants will benefit from pre-arranged one-to-one meetings, tailored introductions and a dedicated networking lunch, helping to build long-term relationships and unlock new business.
Smart factory transformation, front and centre
Advanced Engineering also sees the return of Atlas Copco as sponsor of the Automotive & Aerospace Networking Lounge. A standout feature from last year’s show, the lounge will again host demonstrations and discussions around Smart Factory transformation, covering automation, vision inspection, data-driven analysis and sustainable production.
“By harnessing digitalisation and advanced tooling, manufacturers are reshaping their production environments,” said Jessica Porter, Marketing & Comms Manager at Atlas Copco Tools & Industrial Assembly Solutions. “It’s all about making sustainability, productivity and profitability work together — not in isolation.”
Addressing the skills gap
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the UK’s industrial future, the show will also continue its #MINDTHEskillsGAP initiative. The campaign brings together industry, education and government to tackle the talent shortage in engineering and manufacturing. Visitors can expect a series of sessions, workshops and networking opportunities that explore how to attract, retain and upskill the next generation.
What’s more, Advanced Engineering is once again co-located with Lab Innovations, with all attendees receiving a single badge granting access to both shows. With over 9,000 professionals expected, the event continues to serve as a key meeting point for industry leaders, R&D teams and decision-makers across the supply chain.
The show is further supported by major industry bodies, including Make UK, Composites UK, UKRI, ADS, Engineering UK, Rail Industry Association and SMMT, helping keep the event aligned with the most current issues and sector needs.
Unsung Heroes in Manufacturing
In extension to this is the ‘Unsung Heroes in Manufacturing’ initiative, which forms the latest phase of Advanced Engineering’s wider #MINDTHEskillsGAP campaign. This calls for closer collaboration between industry leaders and policymakers to develop long-term solutions for securing the next generation of engineering talent.
With recent data showing that 75% of UK manufacturers cite skills shortages as a key barrier to growth, the new initiative refocuses attention on the people driving progress from within. By celebrating those going above and beyond across engineering and manufacturing, through mentoring, training and advocacy, it shares the value of lived experience to inspire the next generation.
As a result, the ‘Unsung Heroes in Manufacturing’ initiative sees the creation of a searchable online library of industry experts, to be hosted on the Advanced Engineering website. This hub provides easier access to the real-world voices shaping the sector from the ground up, while reflecting the full spectrum of manufacturing and engineering expertise — and help amplify it across new platforms.
Nominations for the campaign will open later this month, with industry professionals encouraged to put forward colleagues, mentors or partners who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to skills, mentoring or sector-wide advocacy. Submissions will provide a new route to connect heroes with new opportunities, from panel discussions to networking and cross-sector collaboration.
“Unsung Heroes in Manufacturing is about recognising the people behind the progress,” said Simon Farnfield. “Our sector is full of unsung leaders driving change, whether that’s through mentoring apprentices, pushing for skills investment or championing inclusion. Therefore, we’ve designed this initiative to make their voices louder and help their impact go further, particularly for the upcoming engineering talent and showing them what this industry is all about.”
Free stand at 2026 show?
Following a record-breaking 2024 event, Advanced Engineering UK is also expanding its Enabling Innovation competition for 2025. The competition, open to start-ups and SMEs, provides a unique opportunity for companies to showcase their innovations, culminating in presentations on the main stage.
Each finalist will receive their own exhibition space in the Enabling Innovation Zone, open to over 9,800 visitors during the two-day event. This popular zone connects smaller organisations with valuable networking opportunities across booming sectors such as automotive, aerospace, composites and Industry 4.0. On the second day of the show, contestants will present their innovations on the main stage, with the winner chosen by a panel of industry experts.
The winner will receive a free full-sized stand at Advanced Engineering 2026, along with additional marketing opportunities throughout the year, including email campaigns, video interviews, social media exposure, press releases and a dedicated page on the Advanced Engineering website under the Enabling Innovation section.
At last year’s show, Dream Big Composites was named the winner after impressing several judges, including representatives from Innovation DB and Innovate UK, with their innovative composite smart vacuum system. This IoT device automates the monitoring and control of vacuum pumps, preventing leaks and thermal runaway in composite manufacturing.
“It was just marvellous to be there and have a stand to tell people about our innovation and to connect with likeminded businesses that we want to work with in the future,” said Mark Prince, Co-Founder of Dream Big Composites Ltd. “There isn't one company at the show that wasn’t innovating spectacularly in some way, it was just brilliant to be a part of it.”
The Enabling Innovation initiative continues to receive support from key partners, including Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), Innovation DB and Innovate UK. These organisations support start-ups across the UK, helping them to accelerate and commercialise innovations in advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.
As well as the competition, Advanced Engineering 2025 provides exhibitors with a chance to showcase solutions in areas like composites, automation, additive manufacturing, testing and green technologies, with access to industry leaders from Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs.
The event will also feature over 200 expert speakers tackling key industry topics such as digitalisation, supply chain resilience, sustainability and the ongoing skills shortage.
“The Enabling Innovation competition is not just about providing a platform for SMEs and start-ups to showcase their innovations but about setting them on a trajectory for long-term growth,” explained Simon Farnfield. “We’ve had previous winners, like OxDrive, that have gone on to make significant strides in their industries, using their prize to propel their R&D and expand their reach.
“Another great example is iCOMAT, who after winning in 2019, have returned to Advanced Engineering every year as an exhibitor. We’ve seen these companies grow and gain valuable exposure and we’re excited to see how this year’s winner will use their presence at the show to connect with industry leaders and progress their businesses.”
Advanced Engineering UK 2025 is shaping up to be a milestone event. Whether you're looking to discover new technologies, forge partnerships or futureproof your business, this is the place to do it.
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