Advanced inventory management at Southern Manufacturing 2026

Inventory management specialist Tooling Intelligence will demonstrate four innovative control solutions at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026, taking place on 3-5 February at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. The company’s stand (H320) will feature live demonstrations of technologies designed to eliminate inventory waste, reduce downtime and deliver measurable cost savings for manufacturers.

With manufacturers facing mounting pressure to improve operational efficiency while controlling costs, Tooling Intelligence’s offering addresses the growing challenge of inventory control. The company’s comprehensive range of solutions – from weight-based vending to electronic access control – provides manufacturers with real-time visibility, automated replenishment and detailed usage tracking that transforms inventory from a cost centre into a competitive advantage.

Visitors to the stand will see the SmartBin weight-based inventory management solution in action. The system delivers absolute control over fasteners, cutting tools, spare parts and critical components through precision weight-sensing technology. Available in four fixed configurations accommodating between 30 and 64 distinct SKUs, SmartBin eliminates manual counting while providing real-time visibility of stock levels.

The system’s rapid transaction speeds and secure RFID badge access ensure authorised users can quickly access what they need, while automated order generation prevents stock-outs and reduces emergency purchasing. For manufacturers struggling with inventory shrinkage or inaccurate stock records, SmartBin’s continuous monitoring delivers immediate accountability and cost reductions.

Alongside the SmartBin will be the SmartDrawer vending solution, which offers high-capacity storage from a compact footprint. SmartDrawer providesan entirely custom configuration of drawers and a number of locations to meet exact requirements. It dispenses everything from cutting tools and abrasives to calibrated instruments and PPE with individual item control. LED-guided product location and touchscreen operation deliver rapid transactions, while the system’s modular design allows manufacturers to scale capacity as requirements grow. The rapid refill feature enables fast restocking without repackaging, reducing administrative burden and maximising machine uptime.

For organisations managing critical assets such as laptops, power tools, calibrated instruments and rechargeable equipment, Tooling Intelligence will demonstrate its SupplyVend asset management locker system. These cost-effective, scalable lockers provide user-level access control with check-in/check-out functionality that delivers full audit trails by product and user. With configurations ranging from 11 to 77 compartments and the ability to link multiple auxiliary units, SupplyVend addresses the frequent challenge of missing or misplaced equipment, while automated notifications alert management to unreturned items. LED lighting, accessible design and intuitive operation make asset management straightforward, reducing equipment losses and improving utilisation rates.

Complementing the vending solutions, the E-Lock electronic locking system brings control and accountability to products unsuitable for traditional vending methods. This versatile system secures cabinets, stock cages, drawers and even entire storerooms, providing customised access restrictions by user with allocation codes for precise usage tracking. E-Lock operates standalone or integrates with Tooling Intelligence’s broader SupplyPro hardware family, offering manufacturers a cost-effective method to control access to bulky items, overflow stock, office supplies and refurbished parts.

All systems operate through SupplySystem Intelligence Software (SSIS). The cloud platform provides 24/7 access to scheduled reports, instant transaction data retrieval. Remote support from the company’s dedicated UK vending experts ensures ongoing optimisation and troubleshooting without site visits, minimising disruption to operations.

Richard Swaffield from Tooling Intelligence says: “Southern Manufacturing provides an ideal platform to demonstrate how modern inventory management technology delivers tangible returns for UK manufacturers. We’re seeing increasing demand from companies seeking to eliminate waste, improve accountability and gain real-time visibility across their inventory. Our solutions pay for themselves through reduced stockouts, lower carrying costs and improved productivity.”

Visitors can see live demonstrations of SmartBin, SmartDrawer, SupplyVend, and E-Lock.