Almost 2,600 buyers attended Subcon 2021, the subcontract manufacturing supply chain show, at the NEC and organisers have confirmed it will return in June 2022.
Over 135 companies exhibited at the event at the NEC, Birmingham, which was co-located with The Engineer Expo and Manufacturing Management Show, and noted the quality and seniority of buyers in attendance.
One exhibitor signed a multimillion-pound contract with Rolls-Royce at the show, and a further two companies secured enough business to cover their costs within 45 minutes of Subcon opening its doors.
New event director Jason Dante heralded the show’s success in reuniting the UK manufacturing industry at a pivotal time as it faces the fallout from Brexit, Covid and the well documented supply chain challenges. He confirmed that Subcon will return to the NEC from 7-9 June 2022 to celebrate its 45th birthday.
“Exhibitor feedback during Subcon was overwhelmingly positive, especially in relation to the uplift in both the quality and seniority of our audience. Exhibitors were impressed that buyers attended with genuine purpose and the intent to do business, and this was reflected in an outstanding onsite rebook of over 60%.”
One exhibitor – Edmo – said: “We had a fantastic show and met plenty of great quality contacts that we are looking forward to developing business relations with. Thank you.”
Subcon’s Launchpad Awards provided a valuable platform to shine a light on UK manufacturing and engineering start-ups, with Steve Leahey from Operations Assessment commenting:
“Many thanks to the team at Subcon for an excellent show at the NEC and for the opportunity extended to us through the Launchpad Awards. As a new start-up, there are always doubts, but the event has given us exposure to our target manufacturing audience well ahead of our planned schedule and delivered a massive boost in confidence from the feedback and interest received in our assessment process.
Other highlights included the three-day conference, with 20 free sessions running in the Manufacturing Management and The Engineer theatres, including a discussion forum on reshoring presented by Engineering Capacity and keynote addresses from Make UK CEO Stephen Phipson, Made in Britain CEO John Pearce and many more.
Made in Britain CEO John Pearce said: “I thoroughly enjoyed presenting to the Manufacturing Management audience and the two days I attended Subcon. Congratulations to the team for organising and delivering an excellent event and a thought-provoking conference agenda. This was my first in-person event since the pandemic and it was a pleasure to meet and engage with the high-quality audience of manufacturing professionals, all extremely passionate about our industry and its future. I look forward to participating in next year’s.”
Subcon 2022 will take place from 7-9 June at NEC, Birmingham.
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