MACH 2026 to Launch Smart Industry Solutions Zone in Strategic Collaboration with MTC Events

The UK’s leading manufacturing and engineering exhibition, MACH 2026, will introduce a major new feature – the Smart Industry Solutions Zone – in partnership with MTC Events. Organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA) and owned by the industry it represents, MACH brings together the full breadth of the UK’s manufacturing supply chain. The next edition of the show will take place from 20–24 April 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham.

The Smart Industry Solutions Zone is a bold initiative designed to showcase the latest technologies and innovations shaping the future of manufacturing. Developed in collaboration with MTC Events, this new area will highlight cutting-edge solutions that improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness across the sector. It promises to be a focal point for innovation, delivering real-world applications and live demonstrations that connect manufacturers with the technologies transforming industry.

This partnership between MTA and MTC Events reflects a shared commitment to reinvigorating UK manufacturing events. By combining the strengths and expertise of both organisations, the collaboration aims to improve event quality, relevance, and value for attendees and exhibitors alike.

Richard Watkins, Director of Events and Customer Experience at MTC Events, commented:

“We are delighted to join forces with the MTA in convening the manufacturing community for MACH. By bringing our expertise in events management to the show, we can create a better environment for visitors and exhibitors to engage with each other and enhance the value they get from the show.”

Recognising that traditional event formats no longer meet the needs of a fast-changing sector, the MTA has worked with industrial partners to assess what manufacturers want from future exhibitions. The feedback was clear: better opportunities for business development, greater accessibility, and a more focused return on investment.

With more than 30,000 visitors expected, MACH 2026 will be more than a showcase – it will be a celebration of UK manufacturing excellence. From advanced machinery and automation to software, materials, and supply chain capability, the event will demonstrate the sector’s ingenuity and resilience.

James Fudge, Head of Operations at the MTA, summed it up:

“It is not just a showcase; it is a celebration of what the UK manufacturing sector can achieve when the entire community comes together over five days.”