Engineered for success

The engineering-based manufacturing sector is throwing its support behind its key industry event, two years on from its triumphant return. As a bi-annual show, Mach has not returned to its home at the NEC since its first post-Covid event in 2022, which saw a particularly buoyant atmosphere across five halls of the NEC. However, with most floorspace already sold out for the 2024 edition, show organisers have indicated that this year’s event will surpass all expectations in terms of visitor numbers and sales enquiries.

“We had expected MACH 2022 to be the pivotal event for the industry but if anything, 2024 is looking more even more critical to the future of UK manufacturing,” says James Selka, CEO of event organiser the Manufacturing Technologies Association. “The reputation Mach has for helping companies to succeed is too strong to ignore and, time and time again, the exhibition has proved pivotal to the economy with its track record of generating millions of pounds worth of business for the economy.”

Its niche nature and two year lifespan makes Mach a focal point of the calendar for those in the engineering manufacturing sector. Far beyond being a five-day event, the show aims to generate an ongoing pipeline of high-quality leads and opportunities that generate sales long after the show has ended.

For Fintek – one of Smart Display’s clients at this year’s show – Mach is the primary showcase for the surface finishing specialist. Preparation in the lead up to the event is key, and the platform from which to launch the latest product range has to be perfect.

“We are returning to Mach with Smart Display because everything worked as it should at the 2022 show,” says Fintek’s business development manager Neil Jones. “We had shown at Mach many times before we enlisted the help of Smart Display, but we were keen to try out a new stand builder, and the quote was very competitive. It’s been really efficient to re-use the same stand design for 2024, which has saved us going through the process of designing a new stand from scratch. We had that reassurance that we had used Smart Display before and that everything had run smoothly with excellent project management and, as this is the only show we do, it’s essential that we have the right “shop window front” to showcase our products, and maintain that brand awareness.”

Fintek is just one of Smart Display’s returning clients, all of whom debuted with Smart for 2022 and opted to return for the 2024 edition. Around 26,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event, which once again will run in conjunction with the Engineering Supply Chain show in Hall 7 of the NEC.

“If companies are to be successful in the future then they have to make step change improvements in productivity now,” warns event organiser James Selka. “To do this they need three things; technologies, the skill to acquire and deploy those technologies, and the finance to make it happen.

“Technologies remain affordable and the benefits they offer in terms of productivity gains makes the return-on-investment equation far more palatable. Many of these new technologies will be on display at MACH, which is why people are able to make such informed investment decisions and another reason for the show’s popularity.”

With just three months to go until Mach 2024 opens its doors, exhibitors are advised to prioritise their stand design and build at the earliest opportunity. Even those exhibitors who have booked to exhibit on a shell-scheme basis can upgrade to space-only and a bespoke design by contacting Smart Display.

“Customers tell us time and time again that investing into a bespoke stand pays for itself on the first day alone thanks to the increase in footfall and sales enquiries,” says Smart Display’s sales manager Ben Rose. “For an event that only happens once every two years – and with the sales potential of five full days – it’s absolutely paramount to ensure that your stand stands out from the competition.”

Brands interested in maximising the potential of Mach 2024 can contact Smart Display for a no-obligation quote and an inspiring portfolio of past stand designs.