The UK's largest manufacturing exhibition opened its doors this week attracting a record number of visitors, demonstrating the continuing importance of the manufacturing sector to the UK's economy.
"The last twelve months has been difficult if I am being honest, but here today I can sense new optimism for the industry this year," said one exhibitor speaking on the first day of the Southern Manufacturing exhibition at FIVE in Farnborough.
"This has been a good move for us," John Briggs, managing director of Rhopoint Group told Electronics Weekly, on the supplier's first year at the exhibition.
Briggs was cautiously upbeat about the market. "It is steady, nothing has gone off a cliff," said Briggs.
Rhopoint has seen new business opportunities in emerging technology sectors such as renewable energy systems.
"This certainly an interesting market for our pressure sensor products," said Briggs.
Rhopoint manufactures and supplies passives and sensor components as well as instrumentation systems. Last summer it acquired calibration services company Micron Metrology 2000.
Stadium Group is another manufacturer which is taking a positive view of the market right now.
"This is an important time for us," said Stacey Vinther, marketing manager, Stadium Group, from the exhibition floor.
New acquisitions
Stadium is an established contract manufacturer which is now offering its own product technology following a series of acquisitions.
The £4.2m acquisition of IGT Industries last year has given Stadium a touch display module and human machine interface (HMI) systems business.
It also has a power business supplying AC-DC and DC-DC converters, medical power supplies to EN60601-1-3 and LED drivers.
“This acquisition is the first step in delivering our strategy of expanding into adjacent electronic technologies which complement our existing power and EMS business,” said Stephen Phipson CBE, chief executive, Stadium Group at the time of the acquisition.
Bigger than last year
The crowded exhibition floor on the first day of this broad-ranging show was a clear indication of the level of manufacturing activity in the south of England.
"I have been coming to this show for a few years and and each year it seems to get bigger, that has to say something positive about the UK manufacturing sector," said one happy exhibitor.
Southern Manufacturing runs from 13-14 February at FIVE in Farnborough, Hampshire.
