UK manufacturing event Southern Manufacturing 2026 signals renewed investment confidence in UK industry

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Strong visitor growth, record exhibitor numbers and a clear willingness to invest shaped Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026, leaving exhibitors such as Hurco with high-quality enquiries and a clear signal of renewed confidence across the UK manufacturing sector.

In the opinion of David Waghorn, managing director of Hurco Europe, one of the exhibitors at this year’s Southern Manufacturing & Electronics show, the event delivered on every front. Visitor numbers stood at 10,722, more than five percent up on last time, enquiry levels were high and the atmosphere throughout the hall reflected a manufacturing industry that is both resilient and ready to invest.

Held from 3rd to 5th February at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the show under its new owners, Easyfairs, continues to go from strength to strength. With 571 exhibitors, also a record, stand space was completely sold out. The aisles remained consistently busy and the overall quality of the event was noticeably elevated.

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As the exhibition has evolved, so too has exhibitor commitment. Investment in stands was clearly up, with many companies showcasing more ambitious and sophisticated displays. Demand for space was such that catering facilities were housed in a temporary adjoining structure to accommodate the fully booked hall. Even inclement weather failed to dampen enthusiasm. The availability of plentiful free parking, a detail not lost on seasoned exhibition-goers, certainly helped encourage attendance.

Hurco was among those to benefit from the strong footfall, welcoming a significant number of new contacts exploring its product range for the first time. Over the three-day event, 140 visitors from 88 companies engaged in detailed discussions on the stand. These fresh enquiries add further momentum to what is already a positive start to 2026 for the company.

One clear differentiator for Hurco was its decision to demonstrate live metal cutting on both the VM10i machining centre and the TM8Mi CNC turning centre. While some machine tool stands opted for static or air-cutting displays, Hurco chose to showcase genuine production performance, producing real components in real time.

Visitors could witness not only the machines’ capabilities, but also the speed and simplicity of programming first-off parts. The 19-inch colour touchscreen, a standard feature of the Max single-screen control, allowed onlookers to see the program, component geometry and toolpath clearly displayed, reinforcing the intuitive design of Hurco’s Winmax software.

The compact and competitively priced VM10i and TM8Mi combination continues to resonate with small-batch manufacturers and start-ups alike. In an industry where skilled labour remains in short supply, ease of programming and a short learning curve are decisive advantages. For those looking ahead, progression to five-axis machining or 24/7 automation is readily achievable, with only a small amount of additional training required.

Mr Waghorn concluded, “Overall, this year’s Southern Manufacturing show leaves the impression of a sector buoyed by confidence. The vibrancy of the exhibition floor and the quality of engagement suggest that manufacturers are planning ahead, rather than holding back.

“With the end of the tax year approaching and the prospect of further interest rate reductions potentially easing monthly finance costs, now may prove an opportune moment for investment.

“Capital expenditure on new machinery can still be offset against corporation tax at full value, an incentive that makes forward-thinking decisions all the more compelling.

“If Southern Manufacturing 2026 is any indication, the appetite within manufacturing industry to invest, innovate and grow remains firmly intact.”

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