Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2022 and the co-located AutoAero show will return to Farnborough from February 8-10. The show’s re-opening is a much needed signpost to better times ahead for the aerospace manufacturing sector.

Southern Manufacturing 2020 was among the final tradeshows to occur ahead of the arrival of the pandemic. The intervening 20 months have been difficult for many, but few industries fared worse than aerospace. The curtailing of air traffic and subsequent mothballing of fleets has had a devastating impact on the aerospace supply chain and the livelihoods it supports. And yet, it certainly does appear that there may be grounds for cautious optimism.

Despite the impact of Covid-19 on the aerospace manufacturing sector, it would appear that if Southern Manufacturing exhibitors are anything to go by, many have weathered the storm and are now rebuilding order books. The show’s organisers have reported a high demand for stand bookings, much of which from the show’s regular stalwart exhibitors keen to get back to face-to-face business. Virtually the whole of the 20,000m² Farnborough International Exhibition Centre is sold out, with demand for tickets also rebounding strongly. Coming at a time when good news is rather thin on the ground, the sense of optimism among the South’s engineering community is certainly an encouraging sign.

Nevertheless, manufacturing industry faces an uphill battle to recover, beset as it is by not just the damage wrought by Covid-19 but by more extant challenges such as the impact of Brexit and supply chain disruption, soaring energy costs and the current skills shortage. Not surprisingly then, these themes seem to be emerging very strongly among the exhibitors at this year’s show.

Automation holds the key

For many, automation holds the key to greater efficiency and productivity, allowing firms to climb back to profitability by doing more with less. Southern Manufacturing’s popularity with machinery vendors provides visitors with the opportunity to explore the possibilities. Many of the show’s big names return for 2022, including Haas Automation, Hurco, C.Dugard, Mills CNC among others.

XYZ Machine Tools will unveil its latest addition, the XYZ SS 65 twin/sub-spindle turning centre, its first foray into multi-spindle turning centres. 1st Machine Tool Accessories is also emphasising the efficiency gains made possible by automation. Products showcased will include the Kitagawa QJR, the Kitagawa BR, V-Tech’s zero-point plates, Chick Workholding’s multiple component clamping, automated loading/unloading systems from Swift-Klamp and Halter, 4- and 5-axis Kitagawa rotary tables and multi-spindle IEMCA bar feeds. Meanwhile, Aberlink will highlight two of its popular CMMs: the Extol and the Axiom Too. Both use the latest release of the Aberlink 3D CMM inspection software. Other well-known names returning include Brady, Faro, Nikon Metrology, Laser Lines, Berger Tools, ITC, TLM Laser and MACH Machine Tools among many others.

Subcontract services are another important aspect of the show, and here again the variety of specialisms on show is extremely broad. Many of the vendors exhibiting are AS9100 accredited with substantial aerospace experience in a wide variety of disciplines from precision engineering, composites and advanced plastics to wiring, electronics and testing.

The show’s AutoAero feature brings many of these specialist suppliers together in a dedicated space. On show is not just precision engineering services, but specialist close tolerance sheetmetal, wiring systems composites, engineering plastics and aerospace-specific components.

aircraft transparency specialists, PPG Aerospace will showcase its PRC and Pro-Seal aerospace sealants, DeSoto and Deft aerospace coatings, Cuming Microwave speciality materials and coatings, Surface Solutions aircraft maintenance products, and Semco packaging and application systems.

The show is also a great place to source components, including c-class mechanical and electronics from some of Europe’s largest distributors, to specialist hydraulic components from firms such as Lee Products and Pneumax.

Together with the exhibition and demo areas, the free seminar programme will return for 2022 in a socially-distanced format. Subjects discussed include energy reduction, new technology, innovation, supply chain and business strategy, and an overview of current industrial law and post Brexit regulations. 

www.industrysouth.co.uk