The PPMA Show 2015 returned to the NEC from the 29th September – 1st October, with more than 1,000 leading packaging and processing machinery manufacturers represented at the show and providing a platform to showcase the latest technological innovations and discuss key business opportunities with more than 7,500 visitors.
The exhibition saw prominent figures from across the manufacturing sector take to the stage as part of the show’s seminar sessions with former Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King CBE, providing the headline discussion, addressing the future for multiple retailers and how the growing market share of discount retailers will affect the supply chain.
Show features also included a Robotic and Industrial Vision zone which showcased the latest inventive and quirky uses of robotic technology including robots that could dance, pour drinks and even play golf.
Highlighting the latest innovations
Visitors were able to view first-hand many of the latest innovations on the market with exhibitors including the likes of Riggs Autopack, who presented the Guinness World Record winning Series 1 micro-fill depositor, which was recently used to produce 35,000 cupcakes for the world’s largest cupcake mosaic.
L.A.C. Conveyor Systems were on hand to discuss their spiral bakery conveyor prototype, a collaboration with Intralox, showcasing the continued advances in product movement for the bakery industry. Elsewhere, Food is Life, a collection of manufacturers combining expertise to bring about disruptive change in food production, featured a BMW i8 on the stand to demonstrate the levels of efficiency achievable in the automotive industry that the food manufacturing industry should be looking to replicate.
Returning as headline sponsors of the PPMA Show 2015, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking offered valuable expertise from their manufacturing specialists, including guidance on day-to-day banking requirements and funding for expansion, as well as supporting businesses in their plans to invest in new plant and machinery.
David Atkinson, Head of Manufacturing, SME, at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The PPMA Show is a major landmark in the manufacturing calendar and this year’s event was bigger and better than ever. Many businesses were keen to share their experiences, taking elements of best practice from across the industry to better understand how they can achieve their growth aspirations.
“In particular, our manufacturing experts were on hand to offer advice and support on topics from exploring new markets, through to the development of new products and increasing use of automation. It was fantastic to see so many businesses from across the industry hungry to collaborate and share new ideas, a true reflection of the best British business has to offer.”
Dan Lake, Head of UK Sales at Bradman Lake, who showcased the FT120 Flow Wrapper with ILPF Phase Feeder, praised the networking opportunities on offer at the show: “At the PPMA Show we’re able to see the right people all in one place. It’s given us the opportunity to come and have joint venture meetings and it’s a great place to show off our machinery range.”
Mark James, Product Marketing Manager, RS Components said: “We’re a first time exhibitor and the show has been very good. Overall organisation and the quality of customers is up with the best of them. The show meets the needs of end customers and compared to other shows, communication is very slick, and the organisers produce good looking materials.”
Visitors to the exhibition also discussed the importance of the PPMA Show to the industry and its role in showcasing the latest technology on offer. Pavel Rokosz, Project Engineer, RB UK said: “We’re here at the PPMA to see what’s new on the market. This is the number one show in the UK for us. It’s important to have contact with companies in the industry and to see what the competition is up to.”
Ones to Watch Award 2015
The Ones to Watch award also returned, celebrating the contributions of those people under the age of 35 to the packaging and processing industries with Reiser engineer Cesare Bove the recipient of this year’s Gold award.
Cesare was awarded the title by a panel of judges having demonstrated his talent, and dedication to the industry. He was also praised for the progress he’d made during his time working with Reiser, having started as an apprentice, before moving into the field as a service and installation engineer.
Discussing his award Cesare said: “I feel incredibly privileged to have won gold in this year’s awards – it feels great to have my hard work recognised. I hope these awards encourage the younger generation to work in the processing and packaging industry. Yes, it can be really hard work and high pressure at times but it is also interesting and full of exciting innovation.”
Seminar Sessions
An opening keynote speech from Lord Digby Jones, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment, set the tone for the informative Seminar Sessions which took place at the show, with a number of key topics addressed by industry figures during the course of the exhibition.
Hannah Wall, Graduate Project Engineer, Nestle and Sam Kelly, Electrical Engineering Apprentice, PepsiCo, took to the stage to discuss the opportunities available to young people to get into the engineering industry. In front of a packed audience of students, Hannah and Sam spoke about their own experiences in the industry and the type of projects they’d worked on during their careers.
The hot topic of the adoption of robotics came under the spotlight with Shadow Robot’s Managing Director Rich Walker showcasing the capabilities of modern robotics and in particular the development of the Moley robotic kitchen, which is capable of producing chef quality meals using a normal kitchen.
Another popular seminar saw Mike Cosby, Finance Director at Burts Chips, discuss how investment in production facilities and new technology has resulted in increased sales and profitability, and led to the growth of existing partnerships with the likes of Guinness, Wychwood Brewery and The Well Hung Meat Company.
Discussing the success of the 2015 show, Richard Little, PPMA Show Director said: “The PPMA Show 2015 has been a resounding success and we’re very pleased with how the event has run this year. The exhibition benefits from an amazing community atmosphere, and there was a real buzz about the show floor this year.
“We have been inundated with compliments, and would like to thank everyone that took the time to exhibit or visit the show. We have more than 200 exhibiting companies already confirmed for Total 2016, many of whom were exhibitors at this year’s show rebooking stand space, but we’ve also taken bookings from those who opted to visit the Show this year. Needless to say, they’ve been impressed by what they’ve seen.”
