We were delighted to exhibit once again at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026, one of the UK’s leading engineering and manufacturing events. It was a fantastic few days filled with conversations, collaboration and a shared focus on the future of British manufacturing.
A big thank you to the organisers for hosting another well-run show, and to everyone who stopped by our stand to meet the team. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new contacts from across the supply chain.
Showcasing smart manufacturing & automation
This year’s exhibition strongly reflected the direction our industry is moving: smart manufacturing, digital transformation and automation.
At GW Martin, these principles are not new; they are part of our long-term strategy. We continue to invest consistently in advanced machinery and process improvement to deliver reliable, repeatable and scalable production for our customers.
A key talking point on the stand was the focus on automation, with machines like the MAZAK 250MSY with SmoothG CNC Control & Gantry Robot Loader a great example of this. The fully automated CNC turning centre enables unmanned operation and continuous production, combining:
- Powerful 26kW spindle performance
- SmoothG control for accuracy and stability
- Robotic loading for high-volume manufacture
- Consistent quality across extended production runs
The response from visitors confirmed what we already know, automation is no longer a future ambition for manufacturers, it is a present necessity.
Strengthening supply chain resilience
Many discussions also centred around a topic that has become critical across UK manufacturing: supply chain resilience.
Customers are increasingly seeking reliable, UK-based partners who can provide stability, traceability and dependable lead times. Our investment in automation, process control and capacity planning allows us to support customers not only with precision components, but with confidence in delivery.
Events like Southern Manufacturing are invaluable because they bring the entire manufacturing ecosystem together – OEMs, suppliers and partners, all working towards more secure and responsive supply networks.
Sustainability & efficiency in practice
Sustainability also remained a major focus across the show. For us, efficiency and sustainability go hand-in-hand. Our ongoing initiatives include:
- Continuous investment in efficient machinery
- Optimised production planning to minimise energy usage
- Waste reduction & recycling
- Sustainable power generation – today, over 30% of our annual energy usage is generated via our own solar panels, with the rest coming from certified renewable sources.
- Long-term responsible manufacturing practices
You can learn more about our approach here.
Great to exhibit alongside industry partners
We were pleased to be positioned next to our friends at Mazak and YMT Technologies, creating an excellent environment for collaborative discussion throughout the event. It was also great to reconnect with colleagues from The British Turned Parts Manufacturers Association, Hellios Information, Make UK and Make UK Defence.
These conversations are an important reminder that successful manufacturing relies not only on technology, but on strong relationships across the industry.
Thank you
Thank you again to everyone who visited the GW Martin stand. Whether we discussed a current project, future opportunities or simply shared industry insights, we truly appreciate your time.
If you didn’t get a chance to speak with us at the show, our team would be happy to continue the conversation. Call our expert team on 023 8064 2922 or email sales@gwmartin.co.uk.
