In under a week, more than 350 exhibitors representing 1,500 brands will descend on the NEC, Birmingham for the biggest PPMA Show in 12 years.
Taking place from 26-28 September 2017, co-located with Sensors and Instrumentation, Interplas, and TCT show, the PPMA Show 2017 promises to deliver insights into the latest machinery products, technologies and materials, building on its reputation as the UK’s unmissable, free-to-attend processing and packaging machinery exhibition.
A host of new features will be rolled out this year for visitors and exhibitors to enjoy, including the PPMA’s revamped Learning Hub, sponsored by GEA. Also, a new VIP Executive Lounge will welcome the industry’s leading business owners and offer a raft of benefits including refreshments and a dedicated area to meet new business contacts and enjoy a complimentary massage service to relax and unwind after a long day on the show floor.
Focus on innovation
With more than 10,000sq m 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 its four-arm Delta robot (said to be the fastest in the world), with a pick rate of 300 parts per minute.
– 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.
– Premier Labellers will also bring brand new, never seen before technology to stand D54 with its next generation machinery launch.
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.
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.
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. Earlier this week, the finalists for the Awards were announced.
Now in its sixth year, the Awards, which takes place on Tuesday, 26 September at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, is hosted by Canadian stand-up comedian Stewart Francis and Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen.
For more information on the PPMA Show 2017 or to register for a free pass, visit www.ppmashow.co.uk
