Subcon adds focus on composites

Subcon, the UK’s showcase for the contract and subcontract manufacturing supply chain, returns to the NEC, Birmingham, from 7-9 June, with more than 400 exhibitors and new initiatives to make the event even more valuable to visitors and exhibitors alike.

These have been developed in response to discussions with senior buyers, suppliers and industry stakeholders to ensure that both visitors and exhibitors can get the maximum value from their time at the show and include a new Composites and Materials Zone.

“Composite component manufacturing was one of the services that our visitors said they wanted in the show,” states Grant Burgham, business development and portfolio director for Centaur Engineering Live Events. “As the application of composite materials across a wide spread of industries continues to grow it is important that we address the complete manufacturing supply chain requirements of our visitors. This new zone will provide a foundation on which we will continue to build in years to come.”

Participants in the Composites and Materials Zone include epm: technology and Tufcot Engineering, as well as industry body, Composites UK. Composites in Manufacturing magazine will be the exclusive media partner for the zone.

Now in its 40th year, Subcon remains the only UK event that is solely dedicated to contract manufacturing supply chains and outsourced engineering services and has doubled in size over the past four years.

It covers the complete spectrum of advanced manufacturing, from machining and metalforming, through to electronics, plastic moulding, casting, forging, treatments, additive manufacturing and composites.

The spread of market sectors covered by Subcon is equally broad, with senior purchasing, production and supply chain managers attending from industries that include aerospace, automotive, medical technology, transport, oil & gas, marine and general engineering.

New at Subcon 2016 are dedicated zones, making it easier to find key suppliers. As well as the Composites and Materials zone there are also specific areas focused on contract electronics manufacture, manufacturing software, turned parts (in association with the British Turned Parts Manufacturers Association), castings (in association with the Cast Metals Federation) and Surface Engineering (in association with the Institute of Metal Finishing).

In the international supplier zone there will be pavilions featuring subcontractors from The Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Latvia, Turkey, India and China.

Popular features launched at last year’s Subcon are also back on the agenda. The Advisory Drop-In Centre gives SMEs access to expert advice on the critical areas for business success, including skills, innovation, exporting and access to finance, while the free-to-attend industry reception provides an ideal opportunity to network over drinks and canapes.

In addition, select buyer visitors who attend Subcon 2016 will be invited to become part of the Buyer Programme, enabling them to search and select exhibitors based on the sectors they serve, services and approved accreditations and pre-book meetings. The personalised diary system will ensure Buyers have a productive time at the show, ensuring meetings with the right suppliers.

Complementing these customer-focused activities, a specially commissioned series of Subcon conference presentations will address key technology and supply chain issues. One of the highlights will be a presentation by Chris McHugh, technical director (composites) of NW Texnet, who will look at commercialising composites for the mass market, including the cost-effective and high-speed manufacture of composites and future trends in materials for automotive and aerospace.

“We have built Subcon 2016 around the things that visitors and exhibitors say matter most to them, so that they can get the maximum value from their time at the show,” concludes Burgham. “This is going to be a great event for the subcontract manufacturing supply chain and we are sure that it will deliver real business benefits to all who participate.”

www.subconshow.co.uk