MACH 2026 will run at the NEC, Birmingham, from 20 to 24 April 2026, with registration now open for the UK’s largest manufacturing technology event.
All aspects of production technology will be on display, from machine tools, cutting tools, metrology and surface engineering, to additive manufacturing, robotics, automation, sheet metal and forming equipment, and specialist software for digital factories. The emphasis remains on live demonstrations, allowing buyers, engineers, and specifiers to compare technologies on the show floor rather than on slide decks.
After their debut at MACH 2024, the event’s Knowledge Hubs are being expanded for 2026 and positioned as a core visitor draw. The hubs will cover topics including automation and robotics, additive manufacturing, data and AI, and consumable tooling, providing impartial advice and signposting visitors to relevant exhibitors. The aim is to give manufacturers practical guidance on when and how to invest in technology to improve productivity, efficiency, and operating costs.
A particular focus is the Machining & Tooling Knowledge Hub, backed by a roster of cutting tool suppliers including Ceratizit, Iscar Tools, Horn, Guhring, ZCC Cutting Tools, Kyocera, Europa Tools, Mapal, and Mitsubishi. A seminar theatre within the hub will host presentations on applying the latest cutting tool technologies and selecting appropriate insert geometries, with the programme geared towards helping shops run faster and more cost-effectively.
The MTA is again positioning MACH as a convening point for the wider industrial ecosystem. The show is supported by organisations including the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and its centres, the Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association (MMMA), and, for the first time, Automate UK and Make UK. The MTA’s own cluster bodies will also feature, with Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK) running a dedicated Knowledge Hub, and Engineering Supply Chain UK (ESCUK) sponsoring the Supply Chain Zone to promote UK-based capacity and capability.
“MACH is the only show that offers thousands of visitors a fantastic opportunity to explore and see live demonstrations of a wide range of the latest manufacturing technologies and techniques, all under one roof, in one week – without leaving the UK,” said James Fudge, Head of Operations at the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA).
“This year’s event is a fabulous opportunity to learn about new technology and how this can be harnessed to improve productivity and efficiency. The Knowledge Hub areas are spearheading our drive to help manufacturers integrate new technologies into their processes and manufacturing systems. The event also offers invaluable face-to-face opportunities to meet new suppliers and strengthen existing relationships, helping businesses stay ahead in a rapidly evolving sector.”
Alongside the technology focus, MACH 2026 will again run its Education and Development Zone (E&D Zone), sponsored by Iscar Tools. Targeted at students aged 11–18, the zone is expected to attract nearly 3,000 young visitors and is designed to showcase engineering-based manufacturing as a viable and attractive career path. “The E&D Zone showcases the MTA’s commitment to attracting new talent into the sector,” Fudge added. “The zone is designed as an engaging experience and will demonstrate what a career in advanced manufacturing looks like.”
For UK manufacturers weighing up investments in automation, digitalisation, and advanced machining, MACH 2026 offers a concentrated view of the market, from flagship machine tools to niche process technologies and supply chain partners. Registration and further information are available at www.machexhibition.com.
