2012 set to be largest ever UK composites event

Building on the success of last November’s Composites Engineering show, held at NEC Birmingham, the 2012 event promises further significant growth and to again bring together all sides from this rapidly expanding technology sector, around the event which will this year be moving to Hall 1 at the NEC on 7-8 November, 2012. “Year on year we are seeing very strong growth in both the volume of speciality exhibitors from the UK and overseas as well as expanding and more diverse industry attendee groups,” stated Ian Stone, managing director of show organisers UK Tech Events. “With the show seeing major growth in both its footprint and the number of exhibitors, the 2012 composites show floor is already attracting a major influx of new international and domestic exhibitor names.” With an increase in international exhibitors signalling a growing desire to reach the UK’s developing composites market, plus a high proportion of repeat exhibitors increasing stand space for larger displays, it is likely that the show will see total composites exhibitor numbers reach 200-plus, representing an impressive 35% growth. “The demand across product design and development teams for lightweight, high performance composite materials solutions is growing at an unstoppable rate and the show is, uniquely and importantly, positioned to showcase the diversity of composites materials, design, processing and fabrication capability as well as supporting infrastructure available to harness for the successful execution and delivery of current and future composites engineering programmes,” continued Stone. Reflecting the growing importance of the show as the UK composite industry’s biggest networking and technology transfer opportunity, Composites UK, headline industry partner for the event, will in 2012 host their annual Composites UK awards alongside the event on the first evening, acknowledging key advances and innovation made by UK companies over the past 12 months. Supporting the 2012 nominated awards, the show floor is to feature a showcase of award nominated composites engineering excellence with supporting project insight presentations, as part of the two day open forum programme. Furthermore, Composites UK are again committed to hosting a selection of on the show floor open technology sessions, drawing on expert contributions from across the industry in processing innovations, new technology and developing applications. In parallel will again be the Composites UK hosted daily ‘UK composites industry overview’ sessions highlighting advances in and priorities for UK composites capability, crucial ‘by sector’ market outlooks, skills outlook and latest developments in the UK’s composites industry support structure – including the launch of the UK Composites Hub, the UK’s integrated infrastructure support harnessing the collective resources of the National Composites Centre (NCC), Composites Skills Alliance and Composites UK. Dr Sue Halliwell, secretary for Composites UK pointed out: “Over the past few years, Composites UK has worked closely with Composites Engineering to promote and raise the profile of the UK Composites industry and ensure the show continues to develop and grow to reflect our home grown capability and expertise. The 2012 show promises to be bigger and better than ever and sends a clear statement that the UK composites industry is open for business.” With an attendance approaching 7,000 in the 2011 group of events, and an anticipated 9,000+ attendees for 2012, the Composites Engineering Show is bracing itself for another record turnout and to consolidate its credentials as the meeting point for all sides of the UK composites industries. www.compositesexhibition.com www.advancedengineeringuk.com