Drives and Controls - Exhibition and Conference
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About this event
Drives and Controls – Exhibition and Conference (Smart Manufacturing Week 2026)
Overview
Drives + Controls focuses on the technologies and engineering systems that enable modern industrial motion, automation, and operational control. As part of Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 at NEC Birmingham, the exhibition and conference component is positioned for manufacturers, system integrators, automation specialists, engineering leaders, and technology providers who build, implement, and improve industrial control architectures.
The show structure is designed to support both hands-on commercial discovery through exhibitors and higher-level technical learning through conference sessions and thought-leadership content within the Smart Manufacturing Week experience.
What the event is designed to cover
- Industrial drives and motion control: technologies for efficient motor control, variable speed drives, servo systems, and coordinated motion in production environments.
- Control systems and industrial automation: the methods, components, and architectures used to manage processes reliably at scale.
- Engineering and manufacturing integration: how drive and control solutions connect into broader plant automation strategies, production workflows, and system performance targets.
- Operational performance outcomes: themes that typically include reliability, energy efficiency, uptime, maintainability, and overall system optimization for industrial operations.
Why people attend
Drives + Controls is typically attended by professionals who need practical and current information on how industrial systems behave in real manufacturing conditions—what works, what improves performance, and what technologies are being adopted to support production goals. The conference component complements the exhibition by translating product capability into engineering approaches and implementation considerations.
Audience reach and relevance
As part of Smart Manufacturing Week at NEC Birmingham, Drives + Controls benefits from a wider smart manufacturing audience spanning multiple manufacturing disciplines, making it relevant to companies that work across automation, engineering systems, and plant improvement.
Buyer and exhibitor value proposition
For technology providers and industrial stakeholders, this segment supports targeted engagement with decision-makers and technical evaluators looking to source, benchmark, and select solutions related to drives, control engineering, and connected automation systems. The combination of exhibition and conference formats makes it suitable for:
- Technical discovery: meeting engineers, architects, and specialists who evaluate implementations and system fit.
- Commercial conversations: engaging stakeholders who influence vendor selection and deployment planning.
- Partnership-building: connecting with integrators, manufacturing technology teams, and solution providers with complementary capabilities.
Location details
The event is hosted at NEC Birmingham in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This location is part of the Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 programme that brings together a broad set of engineering and manufacturing themes under one roof, with Drives + Controls as a dedicated focus area.
Quick facts (from the provided official text)
| Event name | Drives + Controls – Exhibition and Conference (feature within Smart Manufacturing Week 2026) |
| Where | NEC Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| When | June 2026 is referenced for Smart Manufacturing Week in the provided text; exact dates for Drives + Controls are not stated in the extract |
| Format | Exhibition + conference within Smart Manufacturing Week |
If you share the client’s product/solution focus (e.g., specific drive types, control platforms, industrial software, safety systems, integration services, or training), we can align the event targeting and buyer profile analysis to the most relevant attending roles and company categories for Drives + Controls.
Data sheet
Drives and Controls - Exhibition and Conference – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 2027-06-09 to 2027-06-10
Location: NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 2026-07-01
Location: NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 2026-07-01
Data Note: The official event content provided references the 2026 Smart Manufacturing Week / Drives & Controls show preview at NEC Birmingham. The user-provided event record specifies the 2027 edition dates and venue. This report treats the event as an upcoming 2027 edition while using the official website content as the primary source for format, venue context, and event positioning.
Event Overview
| Event Name | Drives and Controls - Exhibition and Conference |
| Event Date | 2027-06-09 to 2027-06-10 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | NEC |
| City | Birmingham |
| State / Region | England / West Midlands |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | The event page provided is part of Smart Manufacturing Week / Drives & Controls. Organizer name is not explicitly confirmed in the supplied text. |
| Official Event Website | smartmanufacturingweek.com/welcome-drives-control |
| Event Type | Exhibition and conference |
| Primary Category | Industrial Engineering |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Electric & Electronics; IT & Technology; Building & Construction |
| Audience Reach | National with international B2B reach |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium. Official show pages confirm the event platform, venue context, and program structure; public attendance figures were not confirmed in the supplied source text. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect suppliers, engineers, manufacturers, automation specialists, and buyers focused on smart manufacturing, motion control, drives, industrial automation, and engineering innovation. |
About the Event
Drives and Controls is a specialist exhibition and conference within Smart Manufacturing Week at NEC Birmingham. The event is positioned around industrial automation, motion control, drives, electrical systems, and the broader digital and mechanical technologies used in modern manufacturing environments.
The show matters because it attracts technical and commercial buyers who are actively evaluating production efficiency, plant modernization, control systems, energy performance, and manufacturing resilience. It is relevant for B2B lead generation, engineering procurement, channel development, and solution selling to industrial decision-makers across manufacturing, machinery, facilities, and automation supply chains.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Manufacturers, OEMs, industrial groups, engineering firms | Evaluate suppliers, commercial terms, and sourcing risks | High-value target for component, automation, and service suppliers |
| Operations leaders | Factories, plants, production sites, industrial operators | Influence uptime, throughput, maintenance, and plant upgrades | Strong fit for automation, controls, and efficiency technologies |
| Engineering and technical leadership | Industrial manufacturers, machine builders, system integrators | Specify technical requirements and approve solutions | Core audience for drives, controls, motion, and automation suppliers |
| Maintenance and reliability teams | Plants, utilities, production facilities, asset-intensive operators | Responsible for asset performance and lifecycle replacement | Relevant for condition monitoring, servos, drives, spares, and service contracts |
| Automation and digital transformation leaders | Manufacturing enterprises, industrial tech adopters | Set modernization and connectivity strategy | Good fit for industrial software, IIoT, controls, and data solutions |
| Integrators and panel builders | System integrators, control panel shops, OEM partners | Influence product selection and specify component suppliers | Important channel and referral audience for manufacturers |
| Facility and energy managers | Large plants, campuses, industrial estates | Care about energy efficiency, compliance, and uptime | Relevant for motors, drives, controls, and energy optimization offerings |
| Consultants and advisors | Engineering consultancies, automation advisors, industry analysts | Influence specifications and vendor shortlists | Useful for partnership development and referral generation |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Birmingham | Local manufacturers, engineering firms, integrators, and service providers | Medium | NEC Birmingham is a major UK exhibition destination with strong industrial access |
| West Midlands / England | Regional manufacturing, automotive, industrial automation, engineering buyers | High | Strong industrial cluster and accessible travel corridor |
| Nearby business hubs | Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds | High | These hubs support engineering procurement and plant operations attendance |
| United Kingdom national reach | National industrial and manufacturing buyers | High | Official site positioning suggests broad UK manufacturing relevance |
| International reach | Suppliers, distributors, exhibitors, and buyers from Europe and selected global markets | Medium | International visitor presence is likely at a large UK manufacturing exhibition, but not publicly quantified in the supplied source |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The show is positioned as a UK manufacturing and engineering event at NEC Birmingham, attracting buyers from across the country. |
| Global | Secondary reach | International suppliers, exhibitors, and solution partners may attend due to the broad industrial relevance of drives, controls, and automation technologies. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rolls-Royce | Industrial OEM / aerospace manufacturer | Large engineering organization likely to engage in automation, controls, and manufacturing technology procurement | rolls-royce.com | Procurement Manager, Engineering Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Jaguar Land Rover | Automotive manufacturer | Plant automation, assembly systems, drives, and production engineering are highly relevant | jaguarlandrover.com | Category Manager, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Engineer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tata Technologies | Engineering services / technology partner | Likely to source, recommend, or implement industrial automation and engineering solutions | tatatechnologies.com | Business Development Director, Program Manager, Engineering Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Siemens UK | Industrial technology / automation supplier and buyer-side partner | Relevant for automation partnerships, channel development, and technology ecosystem engagement | siemens.com/uk | Partnerships Director, Product Manager, Industry Sales Leader | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Unilever | Consumer goods manufacturer | Packaging, production line automation, and plant controls are relevant to manufacturing operations | unilever.com | Procurement Director, Operations Manager, Plant Engineer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| National Grid | Utilities / infrastructure operator | Asset-intensive operations need controls, reliability, monitoring, and industrial technology solutions | nationalgrid.com | Engineering Director, Procurement Manager, Asset Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Network Rail | Public infrastructure operator | Controls, maintenance, infrastructure systems, and procurement governance are highly relevant | networkrail.co.uk | Contracting Officer, Category Manager, Project Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| BAE Systems | Defense manufacturer / prime contractor | Industrial controls, manufacturing systems, and supply chain sourcing are relevant in defense production | baesystems.com | Procurement Lead, Subcontracts Manager, Manufacturing Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| AstraZeneca | Pharmaceutical manufacturer | Manufacturing automation, compliance systems, and facility operations are relevant | astrazeneca.com | Facilities Director, Procurement Manager, Engineering Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Siemens Energy | Industrial energy technology | Drives, controls, electrical systems, and industrial automation are directly relevant | siemens-energy.com | Technical Director, Product Manager, Business Development Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bosch UK | Industrial manufacturer / technology group | Automation, motion, and manufacturing technology procurement are relevant | bosch.co.uk | Operations Director, Procurement Manager, Engineering Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Mitsubishi Electric UK | Automation / electrical manufacturing | Natural ecosystem fit for industrial automation, drives, controls, and motion technologies | emea.mitsubishielectric.com | Product Manager, Channel Director, Sales Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| RS Group | Industrial distributor | Distribution, category management, and supplier sourcing align with show audiences | rsgroup.com | Category Manager, Sourcing Manager, Business Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Winnersh / Midlands industrial SMEs | Small and mid-sized manufacturers, machine builders, integrators | Often the most responsive audience for event-led lead generation | Various | Managing Director, Operations Director, Technical Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / VP Procurement | Procurement | C-level / VP | Sets sourcing strategy for plant, equipment, and supplier partnerships |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Director / Manager | Directly influences vendor selection and purchase cycles |
| 3 | Operations Director / Plant Manager | Operations | Director / Senior Manager | Owns production efficiency, uptime, and plant modernization |
| 4 | Engineering Director / Head of Engineering | Engineering | Director / Head | Approves technical architecture and product specification |
| 5 | Automation Manager / Controls Engineer | Automation / Engineering | Manager / Specialist | Core technical influencer for drives, controls, sensors, and PLC/SCADA systems |
| 6 | Maintenance Manager / Reliability Engineer | Maintenance | Manager / Engineer | Seeks reduced downtime, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle support |
| 7 | Facilities Director / Energy Manager | Facilities / Energy | Director / Manager | Influences energy-efficient systems and infrastructure upgrades |
| 8 | Category Manager / Buyer | Procurement | Manager / Senior Manager | Handles supplier comparisons, RFQs, and commercial negotiations |
| 9 | Business Development Director / Partnerships Director | Commercial | Director | Useful for channel building, OEM partnerships, and reseller recruitment |
| 10 | Subcontracts Manager / Contracting Officer | Contracts / Procurement | Manager / Officer | Relevant where complex industrial supply chains and project delivery are involved |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Industrial Automation | Core thematic match for drives, controls, and factory systems | Automation hardware, software, and integration sales |
| 2 | Machinery | Machine builders and equipment users attend to improve production systems | OEM components, motion systems, and machine upgrades |
| 3 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Engineers evaluate specification, reliability, and lifecycle performance | Technical selling to engineering teams |
| 4 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Relevant to control systems, panels, drives, and industrial electronics | Electrical components, control cabinets, and systems selling |
| 5 | Construction | Industrial facilities, plant fit-out, and infrastructure buyers may attend | Facility systems, installation, and project delivery |
| 6 | Information Technology & Services | Industrial digitalization, data, and connected operations are part of the show’s ecosystem | IIoT, software, analytics, and integration services |
| 7 | Automotive | Large manufacturing buyers in production-heavy environments need automation and motion control | Plant automation and process optimization |
| 8 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Warehouse automation, material handling, and operational efficiency buyers are relevant | Automation for logistics, conveyors, and plant flow |
| 9 | Utilities | Asset-heavy operators need reliable controls and energy-efficient systems | Reliability, monitoring, and infrastructure technology |
| 10 | Government Administration | Public sector infrastructure and procurement stakeholders may attend depending on program focus | Public procurement, facilities, and industrial modernization |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website content supplied does not provide attendance counts | Use as a lead generation event, but do not quote a verified crowd figure |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed in supplied text | Unavailable | Official source reference includes a 2026 exhibitor list, but no count was provided in the supplied content | Possible to prospect from exhibitor directory if accessible on the live site |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | No buyer list in supplied official text | Buyer-side targeting should focus on industrial procurement and engineering titles |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed in supplied text | Unavailable | Agenda and speakers are listed in navigation, but no count was given in the supplied content | Speaker organization analysis may be done if agenda is provided |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed in supplied text | Unavailable | Partners are referenced in navigation only | Confirm via live partner page before outreach |
| Historical attendance | Not included here | Not verified from supplied source text | Prior-year public data not supplied in the prompt | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial automation | Improve throughput and reduce manual intervention | Demos, plant audits, technical workshops | PLC, HMI, SCADA, robotics, integration services |
| Drives and motion control | Improve precision, speed control, and energy use | Product comparison meetings and spec review | VFDs, servo drives, motors, encoders |
| Maintenance and reliability | Reduce downtime and extend asset life | Condition monitoring and lifecycle discussions | Sensors, diagnostics, service contracts, spares |
| Digital transformation | Connect machines, improve visibility, and analyze production data | ROI discussions and implementation roadmaps | IIoT platforms, analytics, MES, cloud integration |
| Energy efficiency | Cut power consumption and meet sustainability goals | Energy audits and case-study driven selling | High-efficiency drives, motors, power management |
| Factory modernization | Upgrade legacy equipment and integrate new systems | Retrofit packages and technical roadmaps | Retrofit kits, controls upgrades, engineering services |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | Strong overlap with industrial procurement, engineering, automation, maintenance, and operations buyers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely to attract directors, managers, technical leads, and sourcing stakeholders. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Useful exhibitor and speaker navigation is visible, but official attendee lists and counts were not confirmed in the supplied text. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Excellent for industrial industries, procurement titles, engineering titles, and manufacturing geographies. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong UK industrial concentration with Birmingham as a central exhibition hub. |
| Best outreach approach | High-value technical outreach | Use problem/solution messaging tied to downtime reduction, efficiency, automation, and lifecycle cost savings. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong B2B buying intent likely among technical and procurement stakeholders. |
| Best use case | Lead generation and account-based targeting | Best used for targeted outreach to industrial buyers, engineering teams, and channel partners. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | No confirmed public attendance list or attendance figure in the supplied source text; some sample buyer companies are fit-based, not confirmed attendees. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Industrial Automation; Machinery; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering; Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing; Automotive; Construction; Logistics & Supply Chain; Utilities; Information Technology & Services; Government Administration | Prioritize industrial buyers and decision-makers most likely to evaluate drives, controls, and factory systems |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Engineering; Maintenance; Facilities; Manufacturing; Supply Chain; IT | Focus on functional owners of buying, specification, and deployment |
| Seniority | Manager; Senior Manager; Director; VP; CXO; Head | Capture both decision-makers and technical influencers |
| Job titles | Procurement Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Operations Director, Plant Manager, Engineering Director, Automation Manager, Controls Engineer, Maintenance Manager, Facilities Director, Business Development Director | Target high-intent buyers and technical approvers |
| Geography | United Kingdom; England; West Midlands; Birmingham; nearby industrial regions | Align with the event’s core market and maximize local/regional response rates |
| Employee size | 51-200; 201-500; 501-1000; 1001-5000; 5000+ | Prioritize mid-market and enterprise industrial buyers with active project budgets |
| Keywords | drives, controls, automation, PLC, SCADA, motion control, servo, industrial engineering, manufacturing, plant upgrade, energy efficiency, reliability | Pinpoint companies actively engaged in relevant initiatives |
| Company type | Manufacturer; OEM; System Integrator; Distributor; Utility; Government Agency; Infrastructure Operator | Refine toward buyer-side and channel-side organizations |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (Industrial Automation OR Machinery OR Mechanical or Industrial Engineering OR Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing OR Automotive) AND (Procurement OR Operations OR Engineering OR Maintenance OR Facilities) AND (Manager OR Director OR VP OR Head) AND (drives OR controls OR automation OR PLC OR SCADA OR motion control OR servo OR plant upgrade)
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Manufacturing Week – Drives & Controls page | Official organizer website | Event branding, show family context, venue context, navigation items including exhibitor list, agenda, speakers, and partners | High |
| Smart Manufacturing Week homepage | Official event website | NEC Birmingham event context and industrial manufacturing positioning | High |
| User-provided event record | Prompt-supplied event details | 2027 dates, NEC venue, Birmingham, United Kingdom | Medium |
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Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Drives and Controls - Exhibition and Conference — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
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