Qimtek will bring its Supply Chain Lounge and Meet the Buyer format to the Engineering Design Show (EDS) this October, connecting engineering buyers directly with experienced UK manufacturing suppliers.
The Engineering Design Show takes place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 7th and 8th October 2026, bringing together thousands of engineers, designers and purchasing professionals from across the UK.
As part of this year's show, the Qimtek Supply Chain Lounge will provide a dedicated area where visitors can discuss live and upcoming manufacturing requirements and meet relevant UK suppliers through focused one-to-one conversations.
Rather than simply walking the exhibition looking for potential manufacturing partners, buyers will be able to use Qimtek's knowledge of the UK subcontract manufacturing market to help identify suppliers suited to their particular requirements.
The lounge will support buyers looking for manufacturing capabilities including CNC machining, sheet metalwork, fabrication, laser and profile cutting, moulding, casting, electronics and complete manufacturing solutions.
Bringing Buyers and Manufacturers Together
Qimtek has spent more than 30 years connecting UK engineering buyers with subcontract manufacturers, and the EDS Supply Chain Lounge brings that experience directly onto the exhibition floor.
The objective is simple: help engineers find the right manufacturing companies and create useful conversations around genuine sourcing requirements.
Dean Munkley, Managing Director at Qimtek, said:
"Engineering exhibitions are fantastic for discovering new technology and meeting suppliers, but if you're an engineer with a specific part or project to source, finding the right manufacturing company in a busy exhibition can still be difficult.
"That's where we can help. We know the capabilities of the manufacturers within our network, so we can introduce buyers to companies that are genuinely relevant to what they need.
"The Supply Chain Lounge is about creating proper conversations between engineers and UK manufacturers. If somebody comes to EDS with a drawing, a new project or simply wants to strengthen their supply chain, we want them to leave having met companies that can actually help."
Simon Bonell, Event Director at EDS, said:
"The Engineering Design Show has always been about helping engineers discover the technologies, expertise and partners they need to turn ideas into reality. This year, we’ve made a significant investment in the show, with a stronger conference programme, new features and partnerships designed to deliver even more value for our visitors.
"The Qimtek Supply Chain Lounge adds another important dimension to that investment, giving engineers and purchasing professionals the opportunity to connect directly with UK manufacturers who can support their projects and supply chain requirements.
"We’re delighted to be working with Qimtek to create a dedicated space where visitors can discuss real sourcing requirements, identify potential manufacturing partners and build valuable new connections. It’s a strong addition to what we believe is our most ambitious Engineering Design Show yet."
Supporting UK Manufacturing
The initiative will also give participating manufacturers the opportunity to meet engineers actively looking for additional production capacity, specialist processes, prototype support and longer-term manufacturing partners.
For buyers, the service provides an opportunity to expand their supplier base while maintaining a direct relationship with the manufacturers producing their components.
Qimtek does not add a purchasing commission or margin to projects introduced through its sourcing service, allowing buyers and suppliers to discuss technical requirements, quotations and future opportunities directly.
Meet Qimtek at EDS 2026
The Engineering Design Show 2026 takes place on:
7th–8th October 2026
Coventry Building Society Arena
Coventry, CV6 6AQ
Entry to the Engineering Design Show is free for visitors.
Engineering and purchasing teams attending EDS who are looking for new UK manufacturing partners are encouraged to visit the Qimtek Supply Chain Lounge / Meet the Buyer area during the event.
About Qimtek
Qimtek is a UK manufacturing sourcing platform connecting engineering and purchasing professionals with experienced subcontract manufacturers.
The service helps buyers source everything from individual components and prototypes through to complex assemblies and ongoing production requirements, covering a wide range of UK manufacturing processes and capabilities.