PPMA showcase proves hotbed of innovation
The PPMA Show 2014 reaffirmed its status as the UK’s premier free-to-attend complete production line event for processing and packaging machinery in October, as 8,190 visitors took to the NEC for its 27th show.
Opened by former cabinet minister Michael Portillo and joining over 320 exhibitors, visitors arrived to discover the latest product launches and technological developments.
The Show boasted a seminar programme with insights from such industry leaders including Coca-Cola Enterprises, Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon, M&S, Tesco and Wykes Farm.
Taking to the stage on the first day, Christine Tacon, Groceries Code Adjudicator, led a combative talk on the UK’s leading supermarkets and took the opportunity to encourage manufacturers to share examples of supermarkets abusing their code of practice.
Speaking at the show, Christine commented: “I don’t want to interfere in your commercial relationships with retailers but if you know of a practice that is not only affecting you but is also likely to affect others – isn’t that a justification to tell me so that I can take action? Give me the tools and I can do the job.”
Showcasing a hotbed of innovation
With much innovation on display, visitors to the PPMA show were able to view the latest machinery from the world’s leading packaging and processing machinery manufacturers, automation and storage and handling solutions. For example, Festo, leading suppliers of pneumatic and electronic automation technology, revealed its latest concepts inspired by nature, including the new WaveHandler. The WaveHandler is a modular system that moves a surface in such a way that objects are transported and sorted purposefully.
A number of exhibitors also launched their latest product lines at the show, including Holmach’s new whip tool, AeroQbo, as well as its refining tools, Bilia for the universal processing system, Qbo. The OAL Group’s Steam Infusion technology was also on show highlighting the revolutionary heating and mixing process that infuses steam into liquid food products in a vacuum. It was also awarded the accolade of most innovative processing machinery award at the PPMA Group Industry Awards presented by Rory Bremner.
The award-winning end-of-line automation specialist, Endoline Machinery presented its latest SMART range of machines including the UK debut of the 744 Fully Automatic Random Case, believed to the fastest of its kind in the world.
The 2014 One to Watch
Kliklok engineer, Dan Stamp was also the recipient of the gold title in the PPMA Show’s Ones to Watch competition which celebrates the contributions of those people under the age of 35 working in the processing and packaging industries.
Dan said: “I’m over the moon to have been selected as the winner of the Ones to Watch competition. All of the finalists have impressive backgrounds and are a great example of young engineers in the industry today. I only hope we can be an inspiration to other young people considering a career in the engineering and manufacturing industries.”
Run over three days the show once again benefited from the community atmosphere associated with the UK’s manufacturing industries, with exhibitors quick to praise the business and networking opportunities available at this year’s exhibition.
Speaking about this year’s exhibition, Alison Davies, Commercial Manager for PFM Packaging Machinery, said: “We’ve been extremely busy at this year’s show and it has been a great opportunity to secure new business. The PPMA Show is a great place to showcase PFM’s new innovations and to catch up with existing customers. For us, it has been a very fulfilling and worthwhile three days and we’re looking forward to exhibiting at next year’s show.”
Peter Hopper, Production Manager for Wyke Farms added: “It’s very important for us to be present at the PPMA Show as we’re a family company who are keen to see the latest cutting edge technology that may well help us in our aim is to be one of the best in the industry. Events such as the PPMA Show are very important for the wider UK manufacturing scene and are often underutilised. If you manufacture you need to visit the PPMA Show to see what’s out there.”
Grant Collier, Head of Marketing at the PPMA Group, said: “With the PPMA Group taking the PPMA Show back in house it was important for us that this year’s show was a success. We are delighted with how the show went, the feedback we’ve gained from visitors and exhibitors alike and a renewed enthusiasm for the return of the PPMA show next year! In fact, the floor plan for PPMA 2015 is already filling up fast and we can’t wait to be back on the show floor.”
What’s new for 2015 Show?
Work is already underway to build on the success of the 2014 show. Over 65 percent of available exhibition space was reserved within 3 weeks of the 2014 show closing – an unprecedented re-book rate. This is as a result of an excellent mix of on-site exhibits, strong seminar content coupled with a well targeted marketing communications strategy. Plans for 2015 include an emphasis on tackling some of the skills shortage and recruitment issues in the industry.
Grant Collier said: “As a trade association we are keen to address industry wide issues such as the on-going skills shortage and recruitment problems that our members face. With a rapidly ageing working population in the sector, it is critical that we attract new talent through UK manufacturing whether via apprenticeships or graduate engineers. One of the focuses of next year’s event will be to raise the profile of manufacturing and the latest techniques to encourage new talent. We are pleased to see renewed interest from several companies in the PPMA show after the tremendous success this year’s event.”
