Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is one of the most important and popular engineering shows in the UK calendar. Held at the £35millionFarnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, a 20,000 square metrecomplex offering world-class facilities, easy access and free onsite parking, the event is no longer justregional but one that attracts exhibitors and visitors from throughout Britain, Ireland, continental Europe, the Americas and Asia. 

Next year's show, which opens from 7th to 9thFebruary, marks its 25th anniversary. A large proportion of participants have exhibited at the show since thevery beginning and the percentage of returnees is extremely high. The organisers have recently announced that online registration is live at: https://www.industrysouth.co.uk/register

With its diversity of supplier companies, the showrises above any particular sector of engineering,attracting big-name manufacturers and SMEs alike. As well as giving the eventits unique character, it makes visiting an effective way to address multiple sourcing requirementsunder one roof in a time-efficient manner.Many regular participants are already signed up for 2023, which is on course to be a sell-out again. Hundreds of firms will presentevery aspect of engineering, from machine tools and mechanical engineering throughelectromechanical,electrical and electronicequipment and components to business software, workshop essentials and a wide range of subcontract services.

Manufacturing industry is beset not only by the damage caused by Covid-19 but by more recentchallenges as well, such as the impact of Brexit,supply chain disruption, soaring energy costs, skills shortages and most recently the prospect of higher taxation. Solutions to help ameliorate some of these negativesareemerging strongly fromexhibitors at next year’s show.

Although it is split roughly 50:50 between mechanical and electronic engineering, the diversity does not prevent the event from being a cohesive whole. There are no barriers between the areas, allowingvisitors to roam unhindered between the different engineering disciplines. People frequentlysay this is one of the show’s principal attractions, as it leads to their discovering companies and technologies that they would otherwise miss. Technology Trails guide visitors around the event, grouping together firms with expertise in similarareas.

There will be much at the exhibition to interest readers. For example, Ecotile will show its UK-made interlocking floor tiles that solve damaged industrial flooring problems in manufacturing facilities, warehouses and environments where there is heavy forklift use. 100% recyclable and fire retardant, the tiles enhance workplace safety and can be fitted easily over any hard sub-floor.Ecotilesarealso available as an electrostatic discharge solution to protect electrical and electronic products and personnel.

Health, safety and sustainability guidance is offered by machining coolants, oils, lubricants and greases supplier Oemeta UK, which is always seeking to place itself in the forefront of meeting regulatory requirements and is constantly developing new technologies in response to customer requests.In the area of training, Advanced Rework Technologyis one of the longest-running IPC certificationcentres in Europe, offering all levels of IPC trainingthat plays a key role in bringing safety as well as value to the electronics industry.

Leighton Buzzard-based JPT is one of the UK's premier protective case and foam specialists,manufacturinginstrument and transit cases to multi-national commercial standards, with an astonishing3,800 different case and foam designs to date.The company will be introducing at the show its new Vivax case forprotecting tablets and laptops. 

Co-located with Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is AutoAero, a specialised event focusing on suppliers to the aerospace and automotive engineering sectors. Admission to the exhibitionsis free of charge. More information and tickets are available from www.industrysouth.co.uk