Clear your calendars, mark yourself as busy and schedule in Smart Manufacturing Week 2026.
Taking place at the NEC in Birmingham on 3-4 June, this is the place where changemakers can find insights, solutions and connections for their manufacturing and engineering projects.
This year the show is welcoming over 136 new exhibitors (alongside another 250+ returning exhibitors) making the show bigger than better than ever.
And as the agenda is filling out and shaping up, it’s a week full of fun festival entertainment as well as educational and informative content from industry experts, allowing each visitor to walk away having learned something new.
What’s on?
Smart Manufacturing Week 2026, produced by The Manufacturer, returns with an ambitious programme featuring seven dedicated solution theatres and over 150 global experts. The event serves as a central hub for exploring the transformative technologies and strategies defining the future of industry.
Here is what you can expect…
- Product Innovation & Design: Sponsored by Stratasys, this stage focuses on competitive advantage. Highlights include Gareth Knopp from Bucher Municipal on how AI is redefining industrial equipment, alongside sessions from PTC and Dassault Systèmes on digital twins.
- Connected Production: Sponsored by Ericsson, these sessions bridge the gap between hardware and software. Topics include 5G integration, IIoT and robotics, featuring practical digital adoption stories from brands like Bubble Panda and Aurrigo.
- AI & Industrial Data: As a manufacturer, you can expect to gain strategic insight into the forces shaping modern manufacturing. With streams on workforce, sustainability, supply chain resilience and sales/marketing. Sponsored by Redzone, the theatre will have talks from the likes of Data Shack, Epicor, Purple Sector, Syspro and more.
- Digital Transformation: A core pillar of the show (sponsored by Epicor), offering 20+ free to attend sessions on ERP systems, data excellence and productivity.
- Leadership & Strategy: Features 2025 award winners sharing high-level business insights. Key sessions include Kirstie Kennedy and Mark Capell, LISI Aerospace and Rebecca Galley, Tornado Wire on future strategy, Rob Blanchard, I Holland on international trade and market dominance, and Rachel Starkey and Tracy Smith, Sertec and David Roberts, Evtec Automotive on essential workforce upskilling and development strategies.
- Maintenance: A tactical zone for asset management, focusing on predictive maintenance and CMMS analytics to eliminate downtime.
- Manufacturers & Engineers of the Future: Only on Day 2, Alexia Williams (Rolls-Royce), 2025’s Young Manufacturer of the Year, will be holding a keynote on attracting and retaining the next generation of talent.
Make sure you mark the sessions you want to attend and take your seats fast!
Show floor features
Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 will include a raft of new features and attractions for visitors, delegates and sponsors alike.
2026 will see the introduction of Fight Fest – taking place on the Accu Bots stand, the feature is a new, high-energy competitive element of the show aligned with automation and robotics – a core theme of the event – and located within Drives & Controls. In addition, there will be professional teams competing live at the show throughout the course of the two days.
Back again is the Ambassador Programme, celebrating individuals passionate about driving change in manufacturing and engineering, giving them a platform to share insights that help the whole industry thrive. New for 2026, the programme goes further, introducing exclusive networking time for ambassadors to connect, collaborate and tackle today’s most pressing challenges together.
Brand new for 2026, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are running their Meet the Buyer programme at Smart Manufacturing Week aimed at helping buyers meet suppliers that fit their needs at any point during their purchasing cycle.
Buyers across all commodity areas of interest are welcome, including those responsible for components and capabilities in the following areas: batteries and energy storage, power electronics, motors and electric machines, infotainment and connectivity, sensors and autonomy.
SMMT has a strong track record of delivering value through these events to both buyers and suppliers. Meet the Buyer matches automotive buyers with suppliers to develop meaningful business connections during this key period of recovery and transition.
Smart Manufacturing Week will also provide a dedicated networking platform with the ability to arrange one-to-one meetings making it easier for attendees to find the right people who match their requirements.
Student STEM Programme
Smart Manufacturing Week is once again opening its doors and welcoming in the next generation of the workforce. Expanding the range this year, students from Year 9 through to university can visit from 11-4pm on Day 2.
During this time there will be a host of activities, workshops and sessions for them to take part in. This includes:
- Virtual welding and spray painting with Seabury
- FightFest from Accu
- Pit stop challenges with STEM on Track
- The IMechE Apprentice Automation Challenge with Nifty Lift apprentices
- Activity sessions with Stemettes
- Panel discussions with apprentices and graduates working in the sector
Exhibitors are encouraged to take part too and can feature on the STEM Trail if they have apprenticeship, graduate or roles availability at their company.
Introducing Reliabilityweb
New for this year is Reliabilityweb, the Maintec show partner, bringing its Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) programme to the NEC to run alongside Smart Manufacturing Week.
Taking place on 2-3 June 2026, this accelerated two-day workshop prepares participants for the accredited Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) exam, administered by the Association of Asset Management Professionals (AMP).
Globally recognised for advancing asset management, reliability and maintenance excellence, attendees will benefit from world leading expertise, practical insight and proven strategies
Whether you are responsible for maintenance, asset management, engineering, or operational leadership, the CRL programme provides a structured framework to help you embed reliability thinking across your organisation. Secure your spot ahead of time.
Why visit?
Still debating whether you should visit? Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a visitor from 2025, Nicky Carlton, Founder of ERA Recruit had to say: “It was a great show as expected. Over 13,000 attendees made for a great atmosphere and demonstrated the enthusiasm we have in the UK for Manufacturing. I love attending these events for many reasons, but none more so than learning! The keynote speaker lineup was fantastic and I’m looking forward to SMW 2026 already.”
Register now
As the show is now less than two months away, make sure you’re up to date on the latest announcements via email and socials.
