Leaders of the pack

Two giants of the manufacturing equipment tradeshow world took place recently with both having a huge impact on shaping the UK industry’s manufacturing supply chain.

Although the focus of JEC World and MACH 2018 is diametrically opposed, UK exhibitor attendance at either has clearly polarised the composites industry. Based in Paris, JEC World is deemed by some UK SMEs as too expensive to travel and exhibit over three days, whilst MACH – held over five days in Birmingham - is probably three days too long for many companies to be away from their offices and customers.

Over 40 UK companies exhibited at JEC World, with 22 co-located on the Department for International Trade’s UK Pavilion. Whilst it did its very best to bang the drum for UK manufacturing, it was still slightly smaller than the Région Des Pays De La Loire stand located nearby. JEC has had its problems finding more UK exhibitors, but it’s an uphill battle when you add on the eye-watering hotel and travel costs as well.

It’s hard to believe that a truly international show like JEC in a truly global industry, creating an open market where we’re free to make, buy and sell wherever we want, cannot be incentive enough for UK companies to exhibit - it’s the biggest stage in the world!

Meanwhile, MACH has struggled to introduce a composites manufacturing zone, but there’s not enough UK production equipment being made to keep up appearances. Let’s not confuse things here: MACH is a manufacturing tradeshow regardless of the material being processed. There’s still no tipping point for more composite products just yet, but it’s not through MACH’s lack of trying.

Tradeshow organisers must view this conundrum in a similar way to herding cats – you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Animal-related metaphors aside, why don’t more UK composite companies exhibit at these events? It’s the elephant in the room that these tradeshows cannot ignore!

Mike Richardson, editor

Related Articles

JEC World Innovation Award to Brødrene Aa

JEC Group celebrates composite innovation at JEC World 2017 and in this year’s show, which will take place from 14-16 March 2017 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, France, composite innovations are in the spotlight.
7 years ago News

Creating opportunities through exhibitions

As the Trade Association for the UK Composites industry we are always looking for new routes to market on behalf of our member companies. A lot of opportunities lie around exhibitions which is why over the course of the last year the Association has developed its relationships with organisers of key industry and sector focussed shows.
7 years ago Features
Most recent Articles

Norco welcomes rear admiral Donald Doull

Norco Composites & GRP, a leader in the manufacture of composite structures and tooling, has hosted rear admiral Donald Doull, the Royal Navy's director of capability, for a comprehensive tour of its facilities and an inspiring speech to its employees.
3 days ago News

Login / Sign up