When PPMA Show opens its doors at the NEC in Birmingham from September 26-28, visitors will have the opportunity of networking face-to-face with over 350 exhibitors, representing more than 2,600 brands. There will be a host of product launches and a seminar programme focused on the latest innovations and solutions helping to shape the various markets.
The PPMA Show is traditionally the largest processing and packaging machinery exhibition in the UK but for 2023, organisers have vowed that the show will return ‘bigger and better’ than ever – showcasing the very latest in processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision systems alongside innovations in materials, containers and packaging design.
The free-to-attend event spans the full spectrum of the process and packaging industry, with exhibitors displaying the latest innovations for a range of sectors including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, tobacco, confectionary, e-commerce, chocolate packaging, food processing, and microbrewing.
In addition, there are solutions for cosmetics, contract packaging, e-liquids, pet food, building materials, household goods, chemical processing, filling machinery, dairy machinery and more.
Virtually every aspect of the production line will be represented, from labelling, filling and packaging to processing, robotics, automation and industrial vision systems. As such, visitors will have the opportunity to source new ideas and solutions for innovating their process and packaging solutions, added to the opportunity of meeting with new suppliers and influencers, and tapping into the knowledge of leading experts in their field, all under one roof.
The PPMA Show is described as the showpiece event in the UK process and packaging industry having been established 37 years ago by the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association. In the intervening four decades, the association has evolved to ensure the industry remains fully informed of the latest solutions designed to improve efficiency, minimise costs and increase sales.
During that time, the PPMA itself has evolved and it now comprises a cluster of trade bodies which together make up the PPMA Group of Associations. Also in the cluster is the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA) and UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA). Together, these specialist trade associations serve more than 550 member and affiliate member companies.
BARA and the UKIVA have recently showcased the latest developments in their own sectors through respective trade shows, Automation UK and the Machine Vision Conference. The co-located events, held at the CBS Arena in Coventry, attracted large numbers of visitors, highlighting the appetite amongst firms to gather latest market intelligence and source new business opportunities.
Scott McKenna, group exhibition and membership manager at the PPMA Group, said, “Automation UK and Machine Vision Conference have niche audiences, yet at PPMA Show they all come together; that’s when you realise that it’s all connected.
“All these elements in conjunction with process and packaging machinery. Our visitors get the benefit of our three industry leading associations rolled into one.
“We know from experience and previous research that the PPMA Show attracts a lot of the upper tier purchasers and senior engineers who will report back with the knowledge they acquired at the PPMA Show. This all translates into potential sales and is what the exhibition is all about, a chance for our exhibitors to make end users excited about what they could be achieving in their business.”
For the 2023 show, visitors can expect to see live demonstrations of new machinery in action and video presentations by influential industry experts broadcast on screens across the exhibition and later on PPMA TV.
There will also be major networking opportunities and the ability to monitor the competition and benchmark best practice by gauging yourself against industry-leading performers.
For those needing to source new solutions, visitors need look no further than the cutting-edge machinery on display.
Where the PPMA Show really scores is the opportunity it gives visitors to experience the complete production line event in action from start to finish. This is a rare opportunity to see how everything all connects.
The show’s unique seminar programme will cover the latest process and packaging solutions. Visitors can hear from a range of industry specialists about the latest trends and innovations in their sector and how these can be applied to their own business.
Keynote speakers lined up so far include Ross Verrall, of Artificial Intelligence specialist Nvidia. He will discuss the disruptive nature of AI, the industrial metaverse, robotics and the function of digital twins. Joining him will be Dimitrios Spiliopoulos, of Amazon Web Services. He will be addressing the importance of smart factories and the innovation offered by machine learning and AI.
Topics covered in other presentations will include food packaging innovation, the importance of sustainability, successful selling and how manufacturing is evolving to meet the needs of the process and packaging sector.
Here are a few examples of the hundreds of exhibitors taking part in this year’s show:
• As a major supplier of shrink-wrapping machinery, packaging systems and films, Adpak Machinery Systems is qualified to help visitors find the right ‘off the shelf’ product for their needs. Adpak also specialises at innovating and adapting machines to perform specific and unusual functions.
• A supplier of sensors, identification systems, and networking solutions for all areas of automation, Balluff produces specialist sensors, RFID systems, solutions for industrial networks including IO-Link Masters and sensors, process visualisation and Industry 4.0 applications, including condition-based monitoring solutions.
• Fristam Pumps (UK) is said to manufacture pumps and mixers for more than 80% of the world’s top food and beverage brands, along with leading names in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
• IDEM Safety Switches’ range of safety switches are designed to offer customers the latest cost-effective, machine safety solutions. IDEM’s range of next generation products are designed to harness higher reliability and are manufactured using durable materials to cope with the continually increasing demands placed on machine safety devices.
• Lako Tool & Manufacturing has more than 40 years of experience in the flexible packaging industry. It provides standard, bespoke, and quick-change package sealing solutions for horizontal flow wrappers and vertical bagger machines. It also provides sealing, cutting, punching products, and proficient engineering services. Its newly-added ultrasonic integration partner sees the firm targeting companies looking for specific packaging solutions.
• Robatech Gluing Technology is a leader in sustainable, high-quality hot-melt and cold gluing systems for packaging, converting, automotive, graphics, mattresses, building supplies, wood working and many other industries. The firm is the exclusive distributor of genuine Robatech equipment, spare parts and service in UK and Ireland.
Also taking place at this year’s show will be the PPMA Group Industry Awards. This has always been a highlight of show-week, along with the gala dinner. Last year, organisers tried something new and split the awards and exhibitors dinner over two days. However, for 2023 the two events are being reunited.
The calibre of entries has been hailed as ‘very strong’ this year, including in the new Apprentice of the Year category. Organisers said winning an award that has been judged by their peers was becoming a bigger deal each time, and the impact from winning the award could be ‘huge’ in terms of recognition and increased sales.
• For more information and to register for a free ticket to this year’s show, visit: https://www.ppmashow.co.uk/visit
