Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to FIVE, Farnborough, from February 10th and 12th 2015 for an unprecedented three-day run, bringing with it a record number of international exhibitors.
Southern Manufacturing and Electronics is nearly 20 years old, and while in some ways it still retains the familiar, comfortable feel of its earlier incarnations, it is also a show that has constantly moved with the times. Although the change to becoming a three day event may not seem that dramatic compared to its impressive growth and relocation to Farnborough in 2008, it is an important landmark in the show’s evolution.
Initially a regional event, the Southern Manufacturing show has mushroomed into something far more significant. 2014 saw over 800 companies taking part and visitor numbers over the 8,000 mark. The show’s 18,000 square meter purpose-built venue is, at the time of writing, almost full to capacity once more. With all aspects of manufacturing, electronics and precision engineering concentrated in one venue it is almost impossible to avoid running across something new and interesting, no matter what particular branch of engineering you’re from. This is even more so this year, due in part to the move to becoming a three-day show.
A longer run helps to make the show much more attractive to overseas exhibitors, and the result of this can clearly be seen in the exhibitor listings for 2015, which includes an unprecedented range of international companies. Visitors therefore have the opportunity to meet a range of international companies and see products that are rarely seen on these shores. Even if you’re a seasoned visitor, there’ll unquestionably be a wide variety of fresh new companies to see. A few of the noteworthy firms include Cosel Europe, from Germany, with its range of AC/DC power supplies. Also from Germany, Ruwel International is a PCB manufacturer serving the automotive, renewable energy and industrial sectors. PCB Baltic is another PCB manufacturer journeying from northern Europe to take part in the show. Polish CEMS firm Assel showcases its 32 years of manufacturing experience. ERNI Electronics, headquartered in Germany, is a global supplier of connectors and EMS services, operating from bases across Europe, the Far East and the USA. ODU is another manufacturer of custom connection solutions with a world-wide presence. AMES returns from its native Barcelona with its impressive range of sintered metal and bronze products. Compatriots Vac-Tron exhibit a range of glass to metal sealing technologies. Delta Line returns from Italy to showcase its power supply products, with first time visitors AAVID Thermalloy and its thermal management solutions.
From further afield, the show welcomes Lodestone Pacific, a manufacturer of wound component parts based in California. Canada’s MG Chemicals manufacturers chemicals used in the electronics industry. From Taiwan, Hiwin Technology produces linear motion systems, while Furukawa Electric travels from Japan to showcase its cabling range.
Yet even all this is merely the tip of a mountain of engineering excellence, which encompasses both big name manufacturers and smaller specialist suppliers. Most of the more familiar brand names return for 2015, including Igus (UK), Hepco Motion, LG Motion, Amada, Haas Automation, Bystronic, Fanuc, Kawasaki Robotics, MYDATA Automation, RS Components, Harting, Yamazaki Mazak, Hirose, Nikon Metrology, Faro, Lemo and many hundreds more. A full list of exhibiting firms and a comprehensive product search engine is available on the show’s website.
Alongside pretty much every conceivable engineering product and OEM part, there is an equally varied selection of subcontract service providers such as PCB production, electronics assembly, designers, fabrication, precision machining, EMC and testing services, surface finishing, sheet metal work amongst many others. Again, the variety is enormous and far too extensive to list here. One important point to make is that a high percentage of exhibitors are smaller, specialist SMEs, the majority of whom do not exhibit elsewhere. It is these highly specialised firms that often have the most interesting ideas, which, in combination with all the latest technologies from some of the world’s largest firms, creates an exhibition experience that is quite unique to Southern.
The event also hosts various demonstration areas where visitors can see the latest machine tools and production hardware being put through its paces. Companies such as XYZ Machine Tools, Amada, Yamazaki Mazak, Ajax Machine Tools and Bystronic will be running live machinery demonstrations, but there will be a lot of other kinds of capital equipment on show too, including electronics assembly systems from Blundell Production Equipment and MYDATA Automation, 3D printing from 3T RPD and LaserLines, advanced welding systems from TPS Weldtech and even modular clean rooms from Connect 2 Cleanrooms. There’s also a huge selection of production aids, fixtures & fittings and consumables – from flooring, to packaging, high-tech adhesives, labelling and storage.
Along with the breath-taking array of industrial hardware on display the Southern Manufacturing show also hosts an extremely popular free seminar programme. A total of 28 sessions over three days will address an array of technical and business oriented subjects that will interest everyone – from valuable business tips to a glimpse at the latest innovations in manufacturing technology. Highlights this year include Designing for Success, CE Marking, trade marks and intellectual property rights and manufacturing best practice, including Lean. Open to both exhibitors and visitors, demand for places is always high and pre-registration is strongly advised.
Admission to Southern Manufacturing along with the seminar programmes is free of charge, and FIVE Farnborough features ample free on-site parking and straightforward accessibility by road or public transport.
