More than 9,000 engineering and manufacturing professionals gathered at Birmingham’s NEC at the end of October for Advanced Engineering 2025, marking the 16th edition of the UK’s largest annual event for the sector.
Over 400 exhibitors showcased new technologies and solutions, with artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalisation dominating discussions.
Major names including GKN Aerospace, Schneider Electric, Silverstone Technology Cluster, Goodfellow, and Scott Bader were joined by hundreds of SMEs and start-ups demonstrating the latest advances in materials, composites, and production processes.
“This year’s show has been really strong for us, especially lead-wise,” said John Arrowsmith, Sales Director at Scaglia Indeva. “We’ve had conversations with companies including Caterpillar and Red Bull, as well as a good mix of visitors across different industries.”
Among the highlights was the Enabling Innovation Award, won by Ail Arian, a Swansea University spin-out developing recyclable silver conductive inks for printed electronics. The company claims its inks can help manufacturers cut Scope 3 emissions by up to 70% while recovering valuable materials. Ail Arian will receive a free stand at next year’s event.
Other accolades included VAC Innovation for Best Marketing Campaign, Busch for Best Stand, and JOTA for Most Sustainable Stand. The expanded Composites Pavilion, organised in partnership with Composites UK, drew particular interest.
The show’s main stage — rebranded as ‘Future of Engineering: Powered by Automation, Robotics and AI’ — hosted panels sponsored by Grid Dynamics and Schneider Electric, focusing on sustainability, connected manufacturing, and smart industry. Atlas Copco’s stand offered a live demonstration of digitalised manufacturing processes.
Elsewhere, the Innovations Gallery showcased 14 technologies, including Addyx’s carbon exoskeleton, Matta Labs’ Blue AI inspection system, LATI UK’s conductive thermoplastics, and Rockwood Aerospace’s lightweight propeller blades for eVTOLs and drones.
Simon Farnfield, Event Director at Easyfairs, said: “The halls were full of energy, with so many meaningful conversations taking place. The quality of visitors was excellent, from decision-makers at major OEMs to innovative SMEs looking to collaborate. What really stood out was the sense of community.”
The event also featured the RML supercar, a cutaway Lotus model, Toyota’s hydrogen Hilux chassis, and Arc Aero Systems’ drone, alongside live demonstrations from PRF Composites.
The ‘Meet the Buyer’ programme facilitated connections between more than 100 UK suppliers and representatives from major firms including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, MBDA, Safran Helicopter Engines USA, and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.
As the event closed, organisers emphasised that collaboration and innovation remain central to the UK’s industrial resurgence. Advanced Engineering 2026 will return to the NEC on 4th and 5th November next year, co-located for the first time with UK Metals Expo to expand cross-sector networking opportunities.
