More than 1,500 people attended the two-day festival in June 2014 which included a trade show, conference and dinner, with Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Chuka Umunna MP, Shadow Business Secretary, the keynote speakers.

Other speakers who covered market opportunities included Mike Wright of Jaguar Land Rover, Beth West from HS2, Matthew Chinn from Siemens, Colin Sirett from Airbus, and Bruce Heppenstall at GE Oil & Gas. There were two technical sessions on metal powders and composites, and a session on women in manufacturing.

A number of international delegates visited the Sheffield City Region for the event which offered an opportunity to build connections, open new business opportunities and showcase successful partnerships.

Key discussions at the festival focused on automotive, rail infrastructure, offshore wind energy, oil and gas and aerospace.

There were additional events including Meet the Buyer events with Siemens and HS2, and a visit by an All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group on the following day to focus on exports.

2014 Festival Events

Conference

Break out presentations and case studies by prestigious speakers from the industry. Conference topics include Automotive, Energy, Aerospace, Oil and Gas.

Click here to see 2014’s speaker line up

Trade Show

An uniquely focused trade show of premium quality exhibitors from the advanced manufacturing and materials industry, that are critical to the UK’s success. This aimed to give delegate’s an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the complex supply chains that service these critical international markets, the trade show will help SMEs understand the needs of each market sector and how to exploit them.

Click here to see 2014’s exhibitors

The Manufacturing Dinner Sponsored by Lloyds Bank

This dinner was a  celebration of manufacturing. Attended be key business leaders, international guests, sponsors and partners of the Festival. It hosted a lively and engaging panel debate and key note speech delivered by Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

View Dinner Debate Panel Information