Industry & Business

Expected to attract more than 2,000 visitors, the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is being held at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, on Thursday, 27th of February 2020.

Generating annual sales approaching £20 billion, directly and indirectly supporting over 214,000 jobs, and accounting for almost two-thirds of all exports, the manufacturing industry constitutes one-third of the entire Northern Irish economy, according to Manufacturing NI. Key sectors include food, engineering, transport, technology, building products, fabrics, polymers, packaging and renewables.

With a comprehensive Conference programme featuring free workshops and key note speakers combined with a wide array of exhibitors displaying the latest technological solutions and business services available, the 2020 Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will serve as a forum for manufacturers and operators involved throughout the associated supply chains from across Northern Ireland to gather to discuss pressing issues facing their industry.

It is an ideal location for meeting Government agencies and supporting associations, and gaining free advice from experts. The Event will also provide networking zones to connect buyers and suppliers. Indeed, the layout of the Conference & Exhibition is intended to maximise the opportunity for visitors to network and make new contacts.

Co-located Events

A distinctive feature of the Northern Ireland National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is that it incorporates several complementary events – all under one roof. The co-located events include

* 3D Printing Expo;

* Automation & Robotics 2020;

* Brexit Summit;

* Food & Drink Manufacturing Conference & Exhibition;

* High Tech Manufacturing & Precision Engineering Expo;

* IoT & Industry 4.0 Expo;

* Lean, Continuous Improvement & Productivity Summit;

* Offsite & Modular Construction 2020;

* Procurement Expo;

* Supply Chain & Logistics Expo;

* Sustainable Manufacturing Expo.

Visitors are free to move between the different co-located events.

For instance, Automation & Robotics 2020 will focus on the latest advances in this fast evolving field. Through a comprehensive conference programme along with exhibition stands displaying the latest technological solutions and business services available, Automation & Robotics 2020 will provide visitors from across the manufacturing industry and its associated supply chain with practical advice and demonstrations on how to improve their day-to-day business operations.

Similarly, the IoT & Industry 4.0 Expo will attempt to demystify and whole area of IoT and highlight its increasing use in industrial applications, to significantly improve efficiency, save both time and money while also reducing waste and increasing safety at work. The IoT & Industry 4.0 Expo will show how businesses of all sizes can improve the way they deliver products and services on a daily basis as well as identifying opportunities for growth.

Conference speakers have been carefully selected from senior management within industry and relevant Government agencies, along with leading academics, who have proven expertise in sustainable and profitable manufacturing and throughout the supply chain.

Brexit Summit

Of course, Northern Ireland is unique in being the only part of the UK with a potential land border with the EU and this poses distinctive problems for local businesses of all types and sizes. Indeed, many companies, particularly within the food industry, have cross-border supply chains. Similarly, the prospect of a customs border in the Irish Sea would also cause difficulties.

A panel of experts has been assembled to provide practical advice now that the implications of Brexit for Northern Ireland businesses and their supply chains are becoming clearer. In addition to the challenges posed, the Summit will also highlight some of the opportunities.

Other Issues

In addition to Brexit, other issues to be highlighted at the 2020 Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference and Exhibition include the challenges and opportunities provided by constantly changing consumer demands, the rapid pace of technological advances in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and robotics, along with heightening environmental concerns and intensifying competition both domestically and in international markets. The disruptive changes generated by the unfolding fourth Industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) will also examined by many keynote speakers as well as possible solutions.

To register to attend the Northern Ireland Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, visit – http://www.northernirelandmanufacturing.co.uk/register/