Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW) will return to the NEC in Birmingham this summer (3-4 June) where it will once again host the largest annual celebration of manufacturing and engineering in the UK. SMW brings together a powerful lineup of events, including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls and Design + Engineering Expo; as well as the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit.
Of course, SMW is an event that never stands still and along with all the popular features of SMWs past, 2026 will see a host of new additions added to the show floor. Here, we take a closer look at what’s returning in 2026 plus all those fresh features to look out for in June.
Returning for 2026
Best of British Showcase: Discover the products, processes and ideas that are redefining British manufacturing and engineering on the global stage. The Best of British Showcase brings together ground-breaking designs, pioneering manufacturing methods and export successes that proudly champion UK innovation. From world first technologies to iconic engineering excellence, this is where Britain’s manufacturing and engineering story is told boldly, credibly and at scale.
Curated in partnership with The Manufacturer, the showcase features finalists from The Manufacturer MX Awards; companies from the prestigious Top 100 programme; and exclusive editorial selections, chosen for their impact, ingenuity and leadership.
Previous showcases have shone a spotlight on some of the most respected names in UK manufacturing and engineering, including LEVC Taxi, JLR, BMW MINI, MINI Heritage, Leonardo, Farm Urban, Aurrigo, Aston Martin, BAC Mono, Airbus and A-Safe. These organisations continue to push boundaries across automotive, aerospace, defence, food, automation and advanced engineering.
STEM programme: SMW 2026 will continue its commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers and manufacturers through its dedicated STEM Programme. Hundreds of students and apprentices will have the chance to interact directly with industry experts, offering a hands-on introduction to the exciting world of advanced manufacturing and engineering.
Festival vibes: SMW will once again be as fun as it is informative, with a festival atmosphere making the show an occasion as much as an exhibition. With live music, on-site competitions, and celebrity lookalikes, SMW will once again offer a high-energy, crowd-pleasing visitor experience
Event app: A brand-new event app will help you discover, network and plan your visit, bringing an all-new way to enjoy the event, straight to your pocket. The app includes:
- Interactive Event Schedule – Browse sessions, keynotes, and workshops, and create a personalised agenda.
- Exhibitor Directory & Maps – Quickly locate exhibitors, access company profiles, and find your way with interactive floor plans.
- Live Notifications & Updates – Stay informed with real-time alerts on session changes, special announcements, and networking opportunities.
- Exclusive Networking – Connect with like-minded professionals, schedule meetings, and engage in meaningful discussions.
- On-Demand Content – Access presentations, whitepapers, and exclusive industry insights, even after the event.
Innovation Alley: As well as the giant technology players who make up the exhibitor floor there will also be representation from cutting-edge start-ups and the innovative small businesses set to revolutionise the sector. At the heart of Smart Factory Expo, Innovation Alley will feature emerging manufacturing technologies. Following the success of 2025, where attendees engaged with groundbreaking solutions from the next wave of tech and consultancy businesses, the 2026 event will provide opportunities to meet start-ups and early-stage companies and their founders, uncovering transformative technologies that promise to shape manufacturing over the next decade.
Visitor Trails: Every year, Smart Manufacturing Week helps you meet the most relevant companies to your business and make the most out of your experience. The Visitor Trails provide a pathway for attendees to discover the enabling capabilities of Smart Manufacturing Week’s exhibitors and sponsors – a fresh approach to mapping exhibitor capabilities (and a lot easier than reading through all the listings in the show directory)!
The Visitor Trails cover:
- Digital Transformation (Exploring the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT, AI, machine learning, and cloud computing)
- Innovation and Smart Technologies (Highlighting cutting-edge solutions, automation, robotics, and innovative manufacturing methods)
- Sustainability and Circular Economy (Emphasising green manufacturing, carbon reduction strategies, and sustainable practices)
- Supply Chain Resilience (Focus on mitigating risks, ensuring continuity, and improving agility in supply chains)
- Design & Engineering (Highlighting the design engineering solutions
- Industrial Components & Maintenance (Exploring innovations in components, equipment reliability, and predictive maintenance to enhance operational efficiency.)
Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit: As in previous years 2025 will also play host to several satellite events, such as the Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit. This two-day conference for senior leaders, which attracts many of the top 250 manufacturers from across the UK, is focussed on the application of digital technologies to enhance the processes, efficiencies, and outcomes of the manufacturing industry.
As digital moves beyond pilots and proof of concept, the challenge is no longer whether to digitalise, but how to scale, execute and generate return under growing cost pressure and constant change. The 2026 Summit is shaped around turning digital capability into operational traction, with practical insight into what works, what fails and what needs to change next.
New for 2026
Fight Fest by AccuBots: A competitive element located within the Drives & Controls section – taking place on the AccuBots stand – this high-energy robot fighting competition is aligned with automation and robotics, a core event theme.
Designed to encourage engagement and hands-on experience in engineering, the event will see students from across the UK competing with custom-made robots, alongside professional teams live over the two days.
While undoubtedly a fun feature of the show floor, Fight Fest showcases the need to engage and develop the next generation of engineers who must be proficient in mechanical design, programming and prototyping to meet the demands of the smart factories of the future.
Celebrity Keynote: In 2025, SMW welcomed Guenther Steiner, former boss of the Haas Formula 1 team and star of the Netflix Drive To Survive series, as the exhibition’s keynote. It was standing room only as Guenther shared his experiences, approaches and advice on everything from managing data, to managing egos.
2026 will be no different and the SMW team has lined up an equally compelling, show-stopping keynote for this year’s show that will have audiences flocking. More news to follow.
Factory of the Future: This fully immersive, walk-through demonstrator brings connected, intelligent and sustainable manufacturing to life. Visitors will be able to see live, hands-on demonstrations of robotics, AI, digital twins and predictive maintenance working together to make transformation tangible and bridge the gap between ambition and implementation.
Expanded Ambassador Programme: The returning Ambassador Programme will be expanded for 2026, offering exclusive networking time for individuals passionate about driving change to connect, collaborate and tackle today’s most pressing challenges together. Furthermore, Smart Manufacturing Week will provide a dedicated networking platform with the ability to arrange 1-2-1 meetings. Supported by additional matchmaking services and on-site assistance, this tool aims to overcome the challenge of finding the most relevant contacts at a large-scale trade show.
Register now to secure your place at the UK’s most anticipated manufacturing event of the year: https://bit.ly/4iy8LxT For more information and updates, visit www.smartmanufacturingweek.com
