Southern Manufacturing 2015 sets new attendance record

Early indications are that over 8300 visitors attended the event over the 3 days, an increase of around 20 per cent on last year's figure. The 2015 show was notable for its move to a 3-day format for the first time in its 20-year history, and for the large number of international companies taking part in the show. Visitors to the event witnessed a great line-up of the UK's top engineering firms, electronic component suppliers and subcontractors, plus live demonstrations from many of the world's leading machinery manufacturers and firms from as far afield as Taiwan, Japan and the USA. European companies were also well represented, with firms travelling from Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Latvia and Slovakia to attend.

Many exhibitors expressed satisfaction at both the quantity and quality of visitors to the show, which traditionally attracts a high percentage of design engineers and senior decision-makers due to its convenient location in Farnborough, close to the M3 and M4 corridors.

Kevin Nicholl, general manager UK, Ireland and South Africa for TTI Inc., said the show was ""a good place to meet new customers and for customers to meet field engineers face-to-face, which is important." Matt Wood, product manager for Amada UK, commented "A lot of good enquiries today. We've seen customers we know and new customers - a good mix." Midas sales and marketing director, Paul Banham, said "We are pleased with the number of new customers we've met this year... including real, live engineers, which is encouraging." Machinery manufacturer, Matsuura, commented on its blog: "With more enquiries received from new potential customers than at any other UK show in recent years, we trust that Southern Manufacturing 2015 will prove to be our most successful to date."

Visitors were similarly upbeat, with some taking to social media to comment on the scale of the event and the diversity of firms taking part. Twitter user @mikethebee commented "An amazing venue packed with more stands than you can imagine in 3 days". @SentinelManLtd tweeted, "Great atmosphere here in Farnborough at the Southern Manufacturing show today", while @PWCircuitsLtd said "Walking round #southmanf today. Can't believe how much bigger and busier it is this year, good job @Industry_co_uk!"

Bookings for Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2016 are already well ahead of previous years. To find out about exhibiting at this event, simply visit www.industrysouth.co.uk.