Manufacturing & engineering giants gather for PPMA Show 2015

Returning to the NEC, Birmingham, the show will run over three days – from 29th September to 1st October – and will be opened by Lord Digby Jones, former director General of the CBI and Trade and Investment Minister.

New features at the 2015 exhibition include a Robotics and Industrial Vision zone which will showcase the latest inventive and quirky uses of robotic technology including robots that can dance, pour drinks and even play snooker.

Highlighting just how robotics and automation has come since the first industrial robotic arms were integrated into production lines, Rich Walker, managing director for the Shadow Robot company will demonstrate the ‘Moley robotic kitchen’ – capable of  cooking chef quality meals using a normal kitchen. Walker will also speak as part of this year’s seminar line-up to reveal what robotics could hold for the future of food manufacturing.

Strong seminars

A leading figure in the FMCG and Grocery retailing sectors, Justin King CBE is set to headline this year’s PPMA Show seminar theatre. Taking to the stage, Justin will discuss the future for multiple retailers, how the growing market shares of discount retailers will affect the supply chain and how the continued emergence of supermarket convenience outlets is shaping the market. Also confirmed for the 2015 exhibition; Keith Thornhill, Business Manager for Food & Beverage at Siemens will present the case for technology and data analytics for the digital factory of the future; Peter Evans, Compliance Engineer at the CE Marking Association will help visitors understand the CE mark; Rhys Herbert, Senior Economist at Lloyds Banking Group will explore what’s in store for the manufacturing sector including its ambitions, opportunities and challenges.

Also appearing at the show, Mike Crosby, Finance Director for Burts Potato Chips will examine how sales targets and profitability have soared thanks to continued factory investment and new technology.

Skills gap

The topic of the current manufacturing skills gap will be addressed in more detail at this year’s seminar theatre following the launch of the PPMA BEST initiative, a new charitable trust aimed at recruiting more young people in the industry. The new division will highlight and promote the benefits of apprenticeships throughout the industry, highlighting how the skills shortage can be resolved through improved engagement between the industry and the UK’s academia.

In an effort to further encourage young engineers into the sector, the PPMA Show will also welcome the return of the Ones to Watch Awards which recognises the contributions of processing and packaging professionals under the age of 35. Sponsored by Festo, the awards are chosen by a select group of industry specialists from the PPMA Group Industry awards judging panel, with colleagues being urged to nominate outstanding candidates to the PPMA Show press office.