Colocated shows boast 400-plus exhibitors

An European Trade and Exhibition Services product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 21, 2004

The forthcoming Southern Manufacturing Show, and its sibling event, Southern Electronics are generating record levels of interest from visitors and exhibitors alike.

The forthcoming Southern Manufacturing Show, and its sibling event, Southern Electronics are generating record levels of interest from visitors and exhibitors alike.

And given the calibre of exhibitors and attractions confirmed for next year's event, to be held at Surrey's Thorpe Park on 16th and 17th February 2005, it's not hard to see why, according to the organiser.

Over 400 companies from a wide range of electronics, engineering and manufacturing disciplines will be exhibiting their wares at the shows.

The unique colocation of events means visitors can make the most efficient use of their valuable time by meeting both electronic and mechanical engineering companies under one roof.

A series of "technology trails" makes it even easier for visitors to find the products and services relevant to their businesses.

This year's trails serve visitors from the following sectors; aerospace/defence, autosport/automotive, electronics, packaging/labelling, marine/offshore and pharmabio.

Along with hundreds of top-flight exhibitors, several leading trade associations will be represented at Southern Manufacturing, including the Engineering Industries Association (EIA) and the British Engineering Manufacturers Association (BEMA), together with manufacturers organisations such as The Partnership for Profit Improvement.

New centres added for 2005 include a machine tool centre, a used machinery and equipment area and a daily live auction, where manufacturers can pick up great deals on previously owned capital equipment.

Also new for 2005 is the welcome return of the "Meet The Buyer" pavilion, giving visitors and exhibitors the chance to pitch their products and services to buying teams from major blue chip OEMs like Sunseeker International, BMW Mini, BAE Systems and Britannia Airways.

Full details of "Meet The Buyer", including how to participate, are available on the official show website.

For many visitors, one of the highlights of the shows is attending the free seminars.

This year's Southern Manufacturing seminar programme, supported by the Manufacturing Advisory Service - South East (MAS-SE), is the most informative and wide-ranging yet, covering diverse topics from understanding the health and safety issues of lifting and handling in the workplace, through to the Government's current hot topic, of reducing carbon emissions, as well as sessions providing sound and practical advice on improving business practice.

Southern Electronics hosts a landmark series of ten authoritative seminars focussing on the implications of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation, which comes into effect in July 2006.

Alan Brewin of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) Materials Centre, will present six, up-to-the-moment, and topical lead-free seminars, and industry experts from Almit Technology, ERA Technology, Heraeus Materials and Phoenix Contact will provide four further informative and impartial presentations.

Knowledgeable assistance will also be on hand from the sponsors: SMS Electronics, MIT Publishing, RS Components, Pace Europe, Components in Electronics and Envirowise.

Attendance at all seminar events is totally free for visitors and exhibitors.