Subcon celebrates its 40th
Now in its 40th year, Subcon – the only UK event that is solely dedicated to contract manufacturing supply chains and outsourced engineering services – has doubled in size over the past four years, now with over 400 exhibitors.
It covers the complete spectrum of advanced manufacturing, from machining and metalforming, through to electronics, plastic moulding, casting, forging, treatments, additive manufacturing and – with its own dedicated zone this year – composites and materials.
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.
Grant Burgham, Business Development and Portfolio Director for Centaur Engineering Live Events said: “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. 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.”