Southern Manufacturing & Electronics returns to Farnborough from February 11th to 13th 2020. The exhibition, which is the longest running annual engineering event in the UK, is close to being fully sold out and the organisers are confident of surpassing the record numbers of visitors to the 20,000m² Farnborough International Exhibition Centre achieved in 2019. 

As with previous years, the 2020 show will bring together a comprehensive exhibitor list covering the full range of engineering activities, from high-tech machine tools and automation to components and subcontract services. Companies from all over the UK will be taking part, along with a significant selection of off-shore exhibitors from all over Europe, Asia and the Far East.

The huge diversity of companies taking part makes the show a very convenient event for sourcing general hardware, such as tools, consumables, fixtures and fittings, as well as more specialised equipment such as compressors, bearings and power transmission systems. The size and importance of the show means it attracts a substantial number of big international firms, but its SME-friendly format gives equal visibility to smaller companies, which frequently are able to offer rather more specialised knowledge and expertise.

Many of the larger firms exhibiting in 2020 require no introduction. Polymer specialist, igus, will showcase its energy chain, bearings, linear guides, flexible cables, stock bar and stock plate materials. Igus’ maintenance-and lubrication-free products are designed to cut costs and increase the service life of machinery. Henkel, owner of one of the iconic Loctite brand, will demonstrate how it has applied its know-how to the world of 3D printing. At Southern 2020, the company highlights the full potential of additive manufacturing, from prototype to final parts production, along with the structural and general bonding, threadlocking and sealing for which the firm is well-known. Bott will be highlighting its wide range of industrial storage solutions, alongside firms such as Brady and manual handling specialists Yaplex.

Another familiar name returning for 2020 is BCAS. The firm specialises in compressed air and vacuum systems, and is a distributor for some of the leading manufacturers in the industry including CompAir, Hydrovane and Elmo Rietschle. Also returning this year is MecWash, a specialist in the design and manufacture of aqueous cleaning and degreasing systems used in the aerospace, automotive, defence, medical and general engineering industries. Dustcontrol UK supplies an extensive range of both fixed and mobile cyclone-based dust extractors and air cleaners. Highlighted at Southern 2020 will be its DC11-Module, a stand-alone unit for source extraction and industrial cleaning. It has been designed to service up to six normal extraction points or several cleaning outlets at a time and is modularly built, meaning it can be tailor-made to suit any manufacturing and production environment.

The selection of components on show is simply vast and covers everything from springs, fastenings, connectors, switches and cable assemblies to specialist components for hazardous environments. Firms exhibiting include sensor specialists ESI Technology and, from Japan, Hamamatsu Photonics; Coax Connectors, IEC Lock, hydraulic components from CEJN UK and Lee Products, vibration control components from ACE Fabreeka UK and industrial magnetic devices from Bunting Magnetics and MagDev.

Also worthy of note is the complimentary seminar programme, another a immensely popular element of the show. Two programmes run in tandem in two theatres, focused on manufacturing and electronics respectively. Themes covered include technology, innovation, Lean and RPM strategies.

Farnborough International Conference and Exhibition Centre provides free car parking for 3,500 vehicles and is well-served by road and public transport links. A regular complimentary shuttle bus service operates from both of Farnborough’s mainline railway stations directly to the event. The venue itself offers a good standard of facilities such as a complimentary WiFi service in the foyer area and high quality catering outlets.

Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2020 opens from February 11th to 13th. Admission to the show is free of charge. More information and tickets are available from
www.industrysouth.co.uk