Medical device technology at Southern Manufacturing 2012

The UK's rapidly expanding medical manufacturing sector is dominated by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With its wide visitor profile and SME-friendly format, the organisers of Southern Manufacturing & Electronics say the event is an excellent way in which companies can showcase the skills and innovations that are helping to build export success for the UK.

Phil Valentine, the Show Director, comments: "Medical manufacturing is an important market for many of our exhibitors and naturally this is reflected in the show attendance. In 2011, 20 per cent of the show's 6500 visitors were from the medical equipment industry. 37 per cent of people employed in the UK's medical device sector are located in the South, making Southern Manufacturing & Electronics an extremely convenient venue to see all the latest developments in advanced manufacturing and materials in one visit."

The wide range of companies exhibiting at the show makes it a particularly useful event, divided roughly equally between electronics and mechanical engineering suppliers. Virtually every aspect of medical device manufacturing will be represented at the show, from precision engineering subcontractors to medical-grade electronics components, engineering plastics, composites and advanced manufacturing specialists. Related firms such as metrology equipment suppliers and clean room contractors will also be well represented.

Free seminars

Alongside the exhibition, the Southern Manufacturing show also hosts a comprehensive free technical seminar programme, giving visitors the opportunity to hear presentations on a variety of topics from leading experts in their fields. Highlights of the 2012 programme include sessions with Professor Neil Hopkinson from the University of Sheffield and Martin Highett from the Mercury Centre, who will discuss the latest advances in additive layer manufacturing and their applications. Karen Booth, from the University of Sheffield Health Gateway, will deliver a presentation on applications for advanced engineering in the healthcare sector, including case studies and guidance on supplying to the Assisted Living and Tele-Health sectors. A total of 24 sessions running over two days in two theatres will cover a wide variety of other topics, including marketing, Lean and CE marking.

Entry to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2011 is completely free to business visitors, and FIVE Farnborough offers plentiful free car parking and easy access by road or public transport. To register online for tickets and to book seminar places, go to www.industrysouth.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)1784 880 890. Follow the latest news from the show at www.linkedin.com or the blog at blog.industrysouth.co.uk.