Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2025 breaks records for exhibitor and visitor attendance

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2025, the annual UK trade fair serving manufacturing in the mechanical and electronic engineering sectors, concluded its most successful show to date in early February. Celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, the international event saw a significant surge in visitor attendance and exhibitor participation, solidifying its position as a vital business hub for industry professionals. In addition to the bustling showground featuring everything from cutting-edge technology to more everyday items essential for factory operations, the expo featured 53 independently-approved, open-format seminars including a keynote address from Ben Fletcher, COO at Make UK.

The number of attendees reached 10,204, a 14% increase compared with 2024. This year’s visitor profile reflected the perennially diverse nature of the show. The biggest cohort was from the aerospace manufacturing sector, which plays a crucial role in the southeast, employing thousands of skilled engineers. More than 72% of visitors had purchasing influence, underlining the event’s importance as a platform for business growth. The number of exhibitors also grew, by 12%, with 535 companies showcasing their latest products and innovations, breaking the notional 500 barrier for the first time.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2025 marked a significant step forward in enhancing the visitor experience. People were provided with new smart badges that enabled seamless information collection via an EasyGo reader on each stand. The system eliminated the need to carry brochures around, while simultaneously providing exhibitors with data on who had expressed interest. On average, each stand collected 60 EasyGo leads, demonstrating positive engagement. The show also launched Southern Connect, a dedicated app designed to expedite networking and matchmaking between attendees. It saw excellent uptake, with 41% of visitors utilising its features alongside the printed guide. The app facilitated 31,191 actions, 1,974 connections between 3,948 participants, and 85 meetings arranged directly through the platform.

Simon Farnfield, Director at Easyfairs, the new proprietor of the event, said: “We’re thrilled with the resounding success of the exhibition in this our first year of ownership. The record-breaking number of visitors, increased exhibitor participation and enthusiastic adoption of our new networking technology demonstrate the show’s continued importance to a broad spectrum of manufacturing. The positive feedback we’ve received, particularly regarding EasyGo and Southern Connect, underscores our commitment to providing a valuable and engaging experience for everyone involved.”

An interesting meeting between two companies underlined the collaborative initiatives that exhibiting at the show presents. A regular returnee that takes the same stand space every year, British CMM (coordinate measuring machine) manufacturer LK Metrology met with a fellow exhibitor, bearing manufacturer Bowman International, which was promoting its 3D printing expertise. The company discovered LK when visiting the 2024 show and within eight weeks had bought a measuring machine from them. What appealed in particular to Bowman was the Made-in-Britain graphics on the CMM manufacturer’s stand.

LK’s sales and marketing director said: “It’s very worthwhile for us as a business to be here year-in, year-out, in the same location to help us push and advertise our UK brand.”

Several other companies attributed sales directly to their presence at the show, highlighting the event’s effectiveness in connecting suppliers with buyers. Many praised the high quality of leads from a diverse range of industries, indicating strong potential for future business. The networking technology was frequently mentioned for helping to streamline lead capture. The overall organisation, including set-up and venue facilities, was also singled out for being smooth, well-managed and accessible. Exhibitors described a buzz on the show floor, with strong attendance and a positive atmosphere contributing to a successful experience.

Visitors were similarly enthusiastic. A design engineer from Rolls-Royce said: “I’ve found the exhibition very useful and good for getting ideas and contacts. It’s really useful to come across lots of technology and products that I hadn’t seen before, and it’s good to attend and keep up to date with the latest trends. I would definitely recommend this show – there’s so much to see and I’m looking forward to attending the seminars.”

Other visitors liked the show’s comprehensive range of products and services, valuable networking opportunities with both new and existing contacts, and the chance to discover the latest industry trends and technologies, particularly in areas like additive manufacturing, AI and digitalisation. Many of those canvassed appreciated the informative seminars and commended the professional atmosphere and organisation of the event, including the helpful app and spacious layout of the hall.

The high footfall and lively atmosphere were also mentioned frequently, with many visitors highlighting the value of face-to-face interactions and the ease of finding relevant suppliers. Overall, the show was considered a worthwhile and enjoyable three days, with many attendees expressing their intention to return every year.

This year’s Southern Manufacturing & Electronics, held at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, was such a success that it has been shortlisted by the trade magazine Exhibition News for a coveted EN Award in the category ‘Best Trade Show 5,000 to 10,000 sqm’ at a dinner in London at the end of March 2025.