The perfect storm created by Brexit, the pandemic and ongoing labour shortages is testing the resilience of UK manufacturers like never before. On their own, just one of these factors would be challenging enough but combine them, and then factor in steep energy prices and rising factory-gate inflation and this only serves to illustrate just how much pressure the industry currently faces.
Mitigating the effects of these disruptors in the short term will be difficult if, not impossible in the vast majority of cases. The best that many businesses can hope for is to weather the storm and emerge ready to do battle again once the situation normalises.
Longer-term, issues such as developing more robust supply chains through intelligent sourcing and reshoring are increasingly becoming the topic of conversation in boardrooms and factory floors the length and breadth of the country. Making the right decisions now will inevitably serve the best interests of the industry as it emerges from the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Of more immediate concern, is the need to arm manufacturers with the tools they need to ensure their best chance of survival. Against this background, the decision by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) to create a new exhibition dedicated to assisting manufacturing and engineering buyers source world-class suppliers, exclusively in the UK engineering and manufacturing supply chain, is an important one and a positive move for the industry.
The three-day Engineering Supply Chain Show, which takes place between the 5th and 7th of April, runs concurrent to the larger MACH 2022 exhibition. Sponsored by Lloyds Bank and the Engineering Industries Association (EIA), this new exhibition is for the main part, a response to the immediate needs of UK manufacturers and engineers for new opportunities. It also aims to bring together a wider audience focused on capacity in the UK subcontracting and supply chain sectors.
It has been designed to help buyers looking to source precision subcontracting products and services from UK-based suppliers. But it is also a consequence of the need to expand the UK Supply Chain Zone, always a key part of the biennial MACH exhibition.
James Selka DL, Chief Executive Officer at The Manufacturing Technologies Association said: “The UK Supply Chain Zone has always been one of the busiest areas of the MACH show, but given the current issues faced by the industry, it made sense to expand the zone into a show-within-a-show.
“Whilst the picture remains challenging, this is nevertheless, a very exciting time for the UK’s engineering and manufacturing supply chain. More and more UK OEMs and Tier 1 companies are looking to reshore their supply chains or develop new ones. This new exhibition, sited alongside the established MACH exhibition, will provide a focused showcase for their products and services.”
The show is also a reflection of the strengthening of links between the MTA and the EIA. When the MTA took the EIA under its wing earlier this year, they pledged to work together in the best interests of their respective members. Helping manufacturers to avert the current crisis is a real baptism of fire for the new partnership but is a challenge both parties are looking to embrace.
“The MTA and the EIA are closely aligned and both associations have been listening to their members to identify their concerns. It is clear from what they have been saying that help overcoming the current set of problems is vital. It is in part a response to this that has seen us create the Engineering Supply Chain Show,” said Mr Selka.
“Helping manufacturers develop robust strategies for combating challenges such as those currently being experienced is likely to extend beyond both MACH and the Engineering Supply Chain Show, so both associations will continue to offer their full support helping manufacturers develop the strategies that will strengthen them for the future.”
The Engineering Supply Chain Show will have its own location and entrance in Hall 7 of the NEC, directly alongside MACH. One common badge will provide unhindered access to both shows, while in-hall links are intended to ensure a seamless flow of visitors between the events.
To exhibit, companies must be UK registered and offer capacity in subcontract or supply chain services. Examples include precision machined part subcontracting, castings and forgings, coatings, mechatronic and electronic design and assembly, extrusion, fabrication, finishing, forming, pressings and stampings, toolmaking, forming and manipulation, vacuum technology and design, development and testing services.
Mr Selka added: “With demand for UK domestic production growing, particularly post-Brexit, coupled with the desire to reduce goods miles as part of the UK’s commitment to greener manufacturing, we believe this exhibition is perfectly timed to support this drive. Exhibiting at The Engineering Supply Chain Show allows exhibitors to meet face to face with buyers and procurement professionals with budget authority to spend. Alongside MACH, no other UK exhibition delivers such a strong audience.”
Given the figures from the latest UK Manufacturing PMI report in November, many might wonder what all the fuss is about. The figures within the report would appear to indicate a healthy sector with the index standing at 58.1 – a three-month high – while output growth strengthened as domestic order intake rose. However, while demand remains high, output continues to be restrained by the supply chain disruption.
Mr Selka concluded: “The situation serves to illustrate exactly why both MACH and the Engineering Supply Chain Show are so important – and why manufacturers should give it their full support. Traditionally attracting over 25,000 visitors, MACH is the UK’s national event to showcase engineering and manufacturing technologies and complemented by The Engineering Supply Chain Show, it brings together a wider audience focused on capacity in the UK subcontracting and supply chain sectors.”
For more information on The Engineering Supply Chain Show, visit www.machexhibition.com/ESC and for MACH 2022, www.machexhibition.com
