One week to go until the biggest PPMA Show in 12 years

Organised by the PPMA Group of Associations, the UK's leading trade association comprising the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA), British Automation & Robot Association (BARA) and UK Industrial Vision Association (UKIVA), the exhibition is expected to welcome more than 8000 attendees who will come together to see the latest machinery in action, find inspiration and new suppliers, as well as learn about industry trends at the Learning Hub and enjoy light entertainment with RoboKeeper - the "World's Best Goalie' - and Titan the Robot.

New for 2017

A host of new features will be rolled out at the PPMA Show 2017 for visitors and exhibitors to enjoy, including the PPMA's revamped Learning Hub, sponsored by GEA. The Learning Hub will provide visitors and exhibitors with insights from 20 of the industry's foremost thought leaders on the trends impacting the manufacturing sectors. Offering a fresh perspective on relevant trends and issues, the Learning Hub's new expanded focus will see speakers form the wider business sector challenge attendees to learn more about transferable skills applicable across all industries.

A new VIP Executive Lounge will welcome the business owners and offer a raft of benefits including refreshments and a dedicated area to meet new business contacts, catch up on PPMA TV interviews and enjoy a complimentary massage service to relax and unwind after a long day on the show floor.

Also new to 2017, entertainment in the form of RoboKeeper will challenge visitors and exhibitors to score live at the show. Using cutting-edge robots and vision technology to react within fractions of a second, RoboKeeper makes it almost impossible to score. It has already taken on the likes of footballers Lionel Messi and Neymar, with exhibitors and visitors at the PPMA Show 2017 next in line to step up and take the challenge.

Focus on innovation

With more than 10,000sqm of floor space, visitors to the PPMA Show 2017 can see a dynamic range of exhibitors such as Schubert UK, Omron, ABB Limited, Ilapak Ltd and MINEBEA INTEC as they showcase the latest innovations and product launches, including:

• Omron will debut its Quattro Delta robot on stand B34, demonstrating the world's fastest and first four-arm Delta robot, with a pick rate of 300 parts per minute.
• Schubert UK will present its compact TLM technology on stand E90. The machine, engineered for Van Wijngaarden, the Dutch delicacy manufacturer, combines three TLM sub-machines that very efficiently combine flexibility, performance and efficiency for erecting, filling and closing cartons.
• Interactive Coding Equipment (ICE) will showcase its recently launched next generation of thermal transfer overprinters (TTO) on stand C65. Designed to meet increasing demands from retailers for code quality checks, the Zodiac Hawk TTO helps businesses drive improved Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by reporting on quality, performance and availability.
• LOMA Systems on stand C22 will be highlighting a wide range of "Check and Detect' contaminant inspection equipment including its new metal detector range (IQ4) and X-Ray generation.
• Videojet Technologies is set to unveil two new technologies including its continuous inkjet and fastest-ever CO2 Laser, both of which will be running live on stand C70.
• Premier Labellers will also bring brand new, never seen before technology to stand D54 with its next generation machinery launch. The product, details of which will be revealed at the show, will be released onto the market later this year.

Industry thought leaders take to the stage

Keynote speaker, Martin Glenn, CEO at The Football Association and former CEO at United Biscuits, will not only lead the official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony but will take to the stage in the revamped Learning Hub at 11.30am to explain how his extensive experience in the food manufacturing industry has informed his role as head of the FA. Martin joins a jam-packed line-up of influential speakers including popular TED speaker and Chartered Engineer Peter Anderton, who will provide attendees with helpful insights into how to build a successful team and explain his two-rule approach to great leadership.

Fellow speakers include Forbes McDougall, Head of Circular Economy for Veolia UK & Ireland, who will shine a spotlight on packaging recycling faux pas from laminates, coffee cups, plastic bottles and food trays; Ian Wright, Director General of the Food & Drink Federation who will discuss the implications and opportunities of Brexit for the food and drink industry; Jeremy Hadall, Chief Technologist - Robotics & Automation of The Manufacturing Technology Centre who will address the myths surrounding robotic uptake in the manufacturing industries, and Dr Graham Deacon, Robotics Research Team Leader of Ocado Technology who will reveal how Ocado's robotics research team are using robotic manipulators to pack shopping orders. For the full line-up confirmed for the PPMA Show 2017 Learning Hub, visit www.ppmashow.co.uk/learning-hub.

Take on the robots at the PPMA Show 2017

All-new entertaining and interactive robotic features will amuse and excite visitors and exhibitors alike. Joining the RoboKeeper after his highly acclaimed debut at the PPMA Show 2015, Titan the Robot will join the crowds at the NEC in September. Appearing on the PPMA Group of Associations stand (B110/C110) on 27th September, Titan will dazzle visitors with his "unique blend of comedy, street theatre and music."

Recruitment, development and skills

Visitors can also learn more about the PPMA's efforts to sustain and develop the industry's workforce on stand B01 with a special focus on recruitment, development and skills, led by PPMA BEST. The PPMA Group's charity was established in 2014 to encourage young people to enter and develop a career in engineering within the processing, packaging, robotics, automation and industrial vision supply industries through education, training and support.

Its aim is to address the on-going skills shortage, helping to tackle short and long-term recruitment needs through its educational outreach programme, including its upcoming STEMs day at the Manchester Science Museum on the 15th November as part of the museum's Robots Exhibition. Visitors can discover more about the PPMA BEST event, supported by BARA, and find out how businesses can support the charity's work to encourage the next generation of engineers to manufacturing industries.

Awarding the Industry

Alongside three busy days of manufacturing insights and demonstrations of the latest technologies, the PPMA Group will also recognise the finest examples of innovation, smart manufacturing, entrepreneurship and collaboration at the PPMA Group Industry Awards 2017. The awards, which return to recognise the most Innovative Robotic Machinery, Partnership of the Year and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award, will also, for the first time, recognise the innovative and varied steps manufacturers or end users have taken in the adoption of green measures in their businesses in the new "Environmental Initiative of the Year' category.

Now in its sixth year, the Awards, which takes place on Tuesday 26th September at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham will see more than 400 guests come together for the anticipated ceremony and four-course gala dinner, hosted by Canadian stand-up comedian Stewart Francis and Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen. For more information on the recently announced finalists, or to book your ticket to attend, visit www.ppmashow.co.uk/awards.

Andrew Mint, CEO of PPMA Group, says: "Once again, the PPMA Show 2017 will bring all corners of the industry together under one roof to network, discuss and explore technologies that can advance the production process across a wide range of sectors. It presents an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their latest technologies to an audience of thousands plus benefit from unparalleled networking opportunities. The PPMA team looks forward to welcoming visitors and celebrating what is set to be our biggest show in 12 years."

To register for your free pass to attend the PPMA Show 2017, please visit bit.ly/2pYjGK0. For more information on the PPMA Show and the full line-up confirmed for the PPMA Show 2017 Learning Hub, please visit www.ppmashow.co.uk.