Industry unites to power progress

More than 6000 people joined the event across livestream channels and over 550 delegates attended in person. Supported by 27 sponsors and exhibitors and featuring contributions from 40 speakers, the summit reinforced its position as a flagship gathering designed by industry for industry.

The day opened with a strategic scene‑setter, reflecting a pivotal moment for UK manufacturing. Industry leaders outlined the state of the sector, the national opportunity ahead and what a modern industrial strategy means for businesses of all sizes.

Grahame Hoare, CEO of MTC delivered the welcome address before a keynote on the State of the Manufacturing Nation, followed by interactive polling on what the industrial strategy means for the workforce, businesses and regions. The message was clear: the UK is not just discussing strategy, it is powering it.

Late morning sessions gave the stage to voices from across the manufacturing ecosystem. SMEs, major enterprises and innovators shared real‑world experiences on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. From shop floor stories to boardroom perspectives, speakers emphasised that progress is powered by people and collaboration remains essential to resilience and growth.

Midday saw the summit shift to practical learning and hands‑on insight. Delegates joined packed breakouts, including case study rooms and Lunch & Learn sessions covering AI, skills, trade and business support. Workshops explored themes such as automation, supply chains, leadership and mentoring, supported by a lively exhibition space and extensive networking opportunities.

The afternoon focused on ambition and acceleration, celebrating high‑performance British manufacturing. Delegates heard fast‑paced success stories, including real-world examples before leaders came together for a panel discussion on the future direction of UK industry. The tone was bold and forward‑looking, underscoring that British manufacturing is built for speed, resilience and reinvention.

The summit closed with a unifying call to action. Through interactive results analysis, policy‑to‑production discussions and final reflections, delegates were encouraged to apply the day’s insights and help turn national strategy into meaningful action. The closing message captured the mood in the room - the strategy is clear, the opportunity is now, and progress will be powered together.

Guy Atkins, chairman of Joe Bird and Company, highlighted the summit’s value for organisations looking to access new markets, explore emerging technologies and build meaningful partnerships across the sector. “The event was a great success – there’s lots of optimism and solutions of how we can become more productive. There’s also a lot of people here who will help that be enabled for the future," he said.

Richard Watkins, MTC events director said: “The National Manufacturing Summit continues to exceed all expectations and above all continues to prove to be highly valued by all of manufacturing industry.”

Beyond industry impact, the event also delivered community benefit. Fundraising activity generated more than £6,500 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, chosen in recognition of the lifesaving support provided to an MTC colleague.

Momentum is already building for next year’s National Manufacturing Summit, taking place on 18 March 2027. Early interest points to another strong year ahead as MTC continues to provide a trusted space for collaboration, innovation and sector‑wide action.

www.the-mtc.org