MACH 2028 Passes Halfway Mark as General Sales Open

The UK's biggest manufacturing technology exhibition is already half sold out nearly two years before it opens. MACH 2028, scheduled for April 3-7 at the NEC Birmingham, has reserved more than 13,000 square meters of stand space as general sales opened this week.

James Selka, CEO of the Manufacturing Technologies Association, said the strong early booking reflects continued confidence in UK manufacturing. "Exhibitors clearly recognise the commercial value of being at the heart of that audience," he said. "The response to MACH 2028 is a powerful demonstration of the strength, ambition and resilience of UK manufacturing."

James Fudge, Head of Operations at the MTA, described the rebooking pace as exceptional. "The scale and speed of rebookings have been exceptional," he said. "General sale is now open, but the message is simple: do not delay."

Companies that book before September 2026 qualify for the early bird rate. The MTA warned that waiting risks missing preferred locations on the floorplan.

Why MACH Still Matters for Additive Manufacturing

Trade shows carry outsized weight in additive manufacturing because the technology still requires hands-on evaluation before most manufacturers commit. MACH reflects that with its Knowledge Hubs, structured to connect manufacturers with experts on specific challenges in automation, robotics, additive manufacturing and data analytics. The format offers independent technical advice rather than a sales pitch.

MACH 2024 demonstrated the model when the University of Wolverhampton announced its new UK Centre of Excellence for Additive Manufacturing on day one. The Centre, a partnership with EOS and AMCM focused on copper 3D printing for space, automotive and aerospace applications, showed that major additive manufacturing initiatives use MACH as a launch platform.

MACH 2026 expanded the Knowledge Hubs further, with AMUK returning to promote adoption of 3D printing across British industry. Exhibitors booking for 2028 are buying into that track record, not just floor space.

The exhibition runs from April 3-7, 2028. Early bird pricing ends in September 2026.