Why it matters now: UK manufacturers are navigating a perfect storm of digitalisation pressure, brittle supply chains, and binding Net Zero mandates — and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) technology sits at the intersection of all three. With the UK factory automation and industrial control systems market projected to reach USD 17.87 billion in 2026, the decisions made on show floors and in conference halls this year will shape the trajectory of British industry for the next decade.
Smart Manufacturing Week 2026: The Fifth Edition Lands at the NEC
Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW) 2026 returns to the NEC Birmingham on 3–4 June, marking its fifth edition as the UK's largest festival of advanced manufacturing and engineering. Organised by The Manufacturer — a publisher embedded in the sector for over 30 years — the event convenes thousands of industrial decision-makers under one roof across four co-located exhibitions: Smart Factory Expo, Drives & Controls, Maintec, and Design & Engineering Expo.
Event Director Grace Gilling framed the ambition plainly: "Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 is all about bringing the future of advanced manufacturing and engineering to life." Marketing Manager Chris Allen reinforced the collaborative ethos, calling it "the one moment each year where our whole industry comes together — not just to showcase technology, but to share ideas, solve problems and genuinely connect."
New for 2026, SMW will also co-locate with Interplas, TCT 360, Med-Tech, and Subcon — expanding the attendee footprint across the NEC and creating cross-sectoral opportunities that rarely exist in isolated trade shows.
Analyst Insight: The decision to co-locate with Interplas and Med-Tech is strategically significant. It reflects a broader market reality: PLC and automation vendors are no longer selling solely into discrete manufacturing. Process industries, plastics, and medical-device production all demand interoperable control architectures — and SMW 2026's expanded footprint mirrors that convergence.
PLC and Automation: The Backbone of the 2026 Agenda
At the core of SMW 2026 sits Drives & Controls, the market-leading exhibition that has served as the voice of the motion and automation industry since 1991. The 2026 edition will showcase the entire automation landscape — from next-generation PLC hardware and software to integrated robotics, variable-speed drives, linear motion systems, and industrial communication networks.
The global PLC market, valued at USD 12.79 billion in 2025, is on track to reach USD 16.4 billion by 2031. This growth is being driven by manufacturers replacing legacy relay-based and hardwired logic with flexible, Ethernet-enabled controllers capable of real-time data exchange across the plant floor. SMW 2026 will be the proving ground for many of those next-generation systems.
Market Trend: The UK's industrial automation services market — encompassing PLC, SCADA, DCS, and MES — is forecast to grow at a 15.6% CAGR through 2035. The acceleration is being fuelled not by greenfield builds but by brownfield retrofits: manufacturers integrating smart PLCs into existing production lines to unlock data, reduce energy consumption, and demonstrate compliance with tightening environmental regulations.
Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit: Where Strategy Meets the Shop Floor
The Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit, a cornerstone of the SMW conference programme, will tackle the hardest questions facing UK industry: How do SMEs fund automation when margins are thin? What does a realistic Industry 4.0 roadmap look like for a 50-employee factory? Can PLC-level data truly feed an enterprise-wide Net Zero strategy?
These are not abstract questions. With supply chain instability now a permanent condition rather than a temporary disruption, the Summit will stress-test the proposition that PLC-driven visibility — from component-level energy monitoring to predictive maintenance on critical assets — is the most pragmatic path to resilience.
What to Expect on the Show Floor
Exhibition halls open from 09:30 to 17:00 across both days, with VIP entry from 09:00. The 2026 floor plan includes dedicated Solution Theatres where exhibitors deliver live technical demonstrations, and a new feature — FightFest — designed to engage the next generation of engineers through hands-on mechanical design and programming challenges. A networking drinks reception runs from 16:30 to 18:00 on both days, offering structured peer-to-peer engagement.
UK Industrial Automation & PLC Market Data at a Glance
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UK Industrial Automation Market (2024): USD 4.5 billion, projected to reach USD 9.6 billion by 2033.
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Global PLC Market (2025): USD 12.79 billion, forecast to hit USD 16.4 billion by 2031.
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UK Factory Automation & Industrial Control Systems (2025): USD 16.19 billion, with a 10.35% CAGR through 2031.
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UK Industrial Automation Services (2025): USD 12.19 billion, growing at 15.6% CAGR to 2035.
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Global Industrial Automation & Control Systems (2025): USD 94 billion, expanding at 11% CAGR.
FAQ: Attending Smart Manufacturing Week 2026
When and where is SMW 2026?
3–4 June 2026 at the NEC Birmingham (Halls 5), North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT.
Which exhibitions are co-located?
Smart Factory Expo, Drives & Controls, Maintec, and Design & Engineering Expo — plus partner events Interplas, TCT 360, Med-Tech, and Subcon.
Is the event free to attend?
Yes, visitor registration is free. VIP passes grant early entry from 09:00. Register via the official Smart Manufacturing Week website.
What sectors are represented?
Automotive, aerospace, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, plastics, medical devices, and general discrete and process manufacturing.
As the UK manufacturing sector accelerates its digital transformation, Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 stands as the definitive gathering point for PLC and automation professionals. Whether evaluating a controller upgrade, scoping a full line integration, or building a Net Zero data strategy from the shop floor up — the conversations that start in Birmingham this June will resonate across factory floors for years to come.
