PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
Valerio Del Vecchio, Head of Marketing, PPMA Group of Associations Ltd, explains what visitors can expect from this year’s PPMA show
Q) The PPMA show returns to the NEC this September. What can visitors expect?
A) The show returns to the NEC from 26-28 September to provide manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and FMCG as well as contract packers and more, with insights into the latest machinery products, technologies and materials. The PPMA Show offers visitors a chance to see new machinery in action, find inspiration, new ideas and solutions, gain access to potential new suppliers, evaluate and purchase the latest technology as well as talk face-to-face with the industry’s leading technical experts. It also offers a chance to learn about the latest industry developments in the new Learning Hub which looks to provide invaluable insights from thought leaders in both the manufacturing and wider business sectors.
Q) What new features will be launched at the show?
A) A new and improved Learning Hub will provide visitors and exhibitors with insights from leading industry experts as well as influential opinion leaders from the wider business world. A full speaker programme will be announced in the coming months but early confirmations include popular TED speaker and Chartered Engineer Peter Anderton. Peter, who previously held the position of Production Manager at United Biscuits (UB), is known for his inspirational talks and is set to give his two-rule approach to great leadership to attendees at the show. By expanding the focus of the new Learning Hub, we hope to inspire visitors by providing a new perspective on relevant trends and issues, as well as skills applicable across all industries.
We’ll also be setting a challenge to our visitors and exhibitors with a new feature to the PPMA show, the RoboKeeper. Described as the World’s Best Goalie, the computer-controlled goalkeeper has already taken on the likes of footballers Lionel Messi and Neymar, and will challenge visitors and exhibitors to try and score a goal. The RoboKeeper uses cutting-edge robotics and vision technology, reacting within fractions of a second, making it almost impossible to win. These are just two of the new features that will be launched, with further announcements expected soon.
Q) What major issues/trends will be discussed?
A) A wide range of trends will be discussed within the Learning Hub as well as by exhibitors across the show floor. From the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and how technology is changing modern manufacturing processes to the use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to enhance the design process of new machinery – we’ll see exhibitors demonstrate how they are innovating and embracing the future of Industry 4.0. The skills shortage will also be back on the agenda as the industry addresses the challenges still in place, the steps required to address the current gaps in the market and ways to ensure tomorrow’s diverse workforce is in place to protect the UK’s manufacturing legacy.
The PPMA Group will demonstrate the ways it is encouraging young people to enter and develop a career in engineering within the processing, packaging, robotics, automation and industrial vision industries through its PPMA BEST (Business Education, Skills and Training) charity. It was created in 2014 and offers four programmes to a variety of ages groups to encourage young people to enter and develop a career in engineering ranging from financial grants to match funded bursaries. While the show will enable the industry to unite under one roof to discuss these current issues, we’ll also be looking ahead to discover the trends of the future and what we can expect to see impacting the processing, packaging and manufacturing industries over the next 12 months and beyond.
Q) How does the PPMA Show stand out in a busy show calendar?
A) The PPMA Show is recognised as the UK’s unmissable trade show for the processing and packaging machinery. We’re building on that reputation as a best-in-class exhibition, by ensuring that the event offers visitors a seamless, user-friendly experience from the point of registration and that the show itself delivers on showcasing a wealth of innovation.
The PPMA Show 2016 saw over 1,000 leading packaging and processing machinery manufacturers represented at the NEC across three days, with more than 7,500 visitors. We look forward to building on its success when we open the doors to the PPMA Show 2017 on the 26 September.
Q) Why should people attend/exhibit?
A) Over the past 30 years, the show has brought together buyers and suppliers at one of the UK’s most visually dynamic exhibitions. Run by the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA), which comprises the PPMA, British Automation & Robot Association (BARA) and the UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA), it showcases the very latest processing and packaging machinery, materials, industrial automation and vision innovations, attended by thousands of quality end users. With an increased investment in content and features, regional and international marketing and PR, the event has gained significant support from both member and non-member companies and is set to become even stronger in 2017.
The show benefits from bringing all corners of the industry together under one roof. For exhibitors, it is the ideal place to showcase new technologies, build new relationships and confirm a book full of orders. For visitors, it is the one, free-to-attend trade event where a full 360-degree view of the industry is possible – it’s what makes the PPMA show the UK’s premier processing and packaging machinery and exhibition.
For more information on the PPMA show 2017 or to register for your free pass, please visit http://www.ppmashow.co.uk/
