CategoryPacking & Packaging
Packaging Innovations & Empack
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Packaging Innovations & Empack — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds
About this event
Packaging Innovations & Empack Birmingham 2026
Packaging Innovations & Empack Birmingham 2026 is a major UK packaging and processing event bringing together packaging innovation, processing improvement, and contract packing & fulfilment under one roof. The show is positioned as “the UK’s home of packaging & processing,” designed for brands, manufacturers, and service providers who need to keep pace with new materials, smarter manufacturing, and scalable packaging operations.
Dates: 11–12 Feb 2026
Venue: NEC
City: Birmingham
Country: United Kingdom
What we see at this event
The event’s focus spans the full packaging journey—from product innovation and materials development to industrial processing upgrades and operational scaling through outsourcing. Attendees and exhibitors typically align around practical, implementation-ready topics such as new packaging formats, sustainability-led material choices, automation and efficiency improvements, and end-to-end services that support contract manufacturing and fulfilment operations.
The show highlights areas including:
- Product innovation & development — covering primary and secondary packaging innovations, advanced materials, sustainable packaging solutions, and supplier collaboration.
- Process innovation & improvement — featuring packaging machinery, automation, and industrial efficiency topics, such as robotics, filling systems, labelling, logistics, and smart factory solutions.
- Growth, scaling & outsourcing — supporting organisations looking for scalable, end-to-end options including contract packing and fulfilment services.
Who the show is built for
Packaging Innovations & Empack is designed for decision-makers and practitioners who need solutions that can move from concept to production quickly. Because it combines innovation (design/materials/smart tech) with operational capability (machinery, automation, outsourcing and fulfilment), it supports both strategic planning and practical procurement conversations.
Scale and positioning
The event is described as offering a broad marketplace experience with over 450 suppliers and 7,000+ visitors, framed as the UK’s “most comprehensive packaging event.” That scale typically makes it a strong destination for brands, packaging teams, and operations leaders who want to benchmark new technologies and service capabilities across multiple packaging and processing categories in a single visit.
Planning note for next edition
In addition to 2026, the official site also references a later edition taking place on 24 & 25 Feb 2027 at NEC Birmingham.
Data sheet
Packaging Innovations & Empack – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 24–25 February 2027
Location: NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 2 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Packaging Innovations & Empack |
| Event Date | 24–25 February 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | NEC Birmingham |
| City | Birmingham |
| State / Region | West Midlands |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | Not explicitly stated in the supplied source text; official event website: packagingbirmingham.com |
| Official Event Website | packagingbirmingham.com |
| Event Type | Trade show / exhibition / conference |
| Primary Category | Packing & Packaging |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Industrial Engineering; Food & Beverages; Logistics & Transportation; Business Services |
| Audience Reach | National with meaningful UK and selected international buyer reach |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer for 2027. Historical evidence indicates 7,000+ visitors and 450+ suppliers for the 2026 edition. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Mixed: 2027 attendance not confirmed; 2026 visitor/supplier figures are historical official website evidence |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect packaging brands, processors, machinery suppliers, material innovators, co-packers, and fulfilment providers with packaging buyers and decision-makers seeking innovation, automation, sustainability, and outsourcing solutions. |
About the Event
Packaging Innovations & Empack Birmingham is a major UK packaging and processing trade event hosted at the NEC in Birmingham. The official site positions the show as “the UK’s home of packaging & processing,” with dedicated areas covering product innovation and development, process innovation and improvement, and growth, scaling, and outsourcing.
The event matters because it brings together packaging specifiers, procurement teams, brand owners, manufacturers, contract packers, and fulfilment operators who are actively sourcing solutions across materials, machinery, automation, logistics, and sustainability. For suppliers, it is a strong opportunity for B2B lead generation, distributor development, co-packing partnerships, and account-based outreach into packaging-intensive industries.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging procurement and sourcing teams | Brand owners, FMCG companies, consumer goods manufacturers, food and beverage firms | Direct buying authority for packaging materials, suppliers, and contracts | Very high; core audience for materials, machinery, and supply chain solutions |
| Brand owners and product development teams | Consumer brands, private label owners, cosmetics, household goods, personal care | Influence on pack format, design, sustainability, and launch readiness | High; interested in packaging innovation and shelf-impact solutions |
| Operations and production leaders | Manufacturers, co-packers, contract packers, fulfilment operators | Influence on line efficiency, automation, throughput, and capex decisions | High; best audience for automation, machinery, and process improvement vendors |
| Supply chain and logistics teams | Manufacturers, retailers, e-commerce operators, 3PLs | Influence on packaging efficiency, warehousing, transport protection, and fulfilment | High; relevant for packaging formats that reduce damage, cost, and lead time |
| Sustainability and ESG teams | Large brands, retailers, food producers, regulated manufacturers | Influence on materials selection, recyclability, and compliance goals | High; aligns to recycled content, lightweighting, and circular economy suppliers |
| Packaging technologists and engineers | Packaging R&D teams, technical services, innovation groups | Technical decision support on materials, testing, and line compatibility | Very high; strong fit for innovation and specification-led selling |
| Contract packers and co-packers | Outsourced packaging and fulfilment providers | Purchasing influence over machinery, materials, and service providers | Very high; key commercial buyers for production and outsourcing solutions |
| Retail and e-commerce buyers | Supermarkets, online retailers, marketplaces, D2C brands | Buying and specification decisions for shelf-ready and shipment-ready packaging | High; relevant for packaging design, unit economics, and fulfilment efficiency |
| Distributors and wholesalers | Packaging distributors, industrial suppliers, wholesale channels | Channel buying, resale, and sourcing for client accounts | Medium to high; useful for route-to-market expansion |
| Consultants and industry advisors | Packaging consultants, supply chain advisors, sustainability advisors, analysts | Influence on vendor recommendations and project shortlists | Medium; important for referral and thought leadership strategies |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Birmingham | Local and regional packaging users, manufacturers, logistics firms, and suppliers | High | Birmingham is a strong industrial and logistics hub, supporting same-day and short-haul attendance |
| Host region: West Midlands | Midlands-based manufacturers, food producers, consumer goods firms, and co-packers | High | Core regional buyer base for packaging machinery, consumables, and services |
| Nearby business hubs | London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, East Midlands, Cardiff | Medium to high | Well connected to national purchasing, innovation, and production teams |
| National UK reach | Brand owners, retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and packaging specialists from across the UK | Very high | Official website describes the show as the UK’s home of packaging & processing |
| International reach | Selected overseas exhibitors, suppliers, and buyers from Europe and global packaging markets | Medium | Most likely from European packaging supply chains and export-oriented suppliers |
| Trade corridor relevance | UK manufacturing corridor, food and beverage corridor, retail supply chain corridor | High | Strong fit for packaging, fulfilment, and process automation buyers |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The event is positioned as a UK-wide packaging and processing marketplace with national buyer appeal |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unilever | Brand owner / FMCG buyer | Major packaging and sustainability decision-maker in consumer goods | unilever.com | Packaging Procurement Lead, Packaging Engineer, Sustainability Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Nestlé | Food and beverage manufacturer | High packaging spend across snacks, beverages, and food categories | nestle.com | Procurement Manager, Packaging Development Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Diageo | Beverage manufacturer | Premium packaging, materials innovation, and logistics packaging relevance | diageo.com | Head of Packaging, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bunzl | Distributor / wholesale packaging and supplies | Channel buyer for packaging consumables and supply chain solutions | bunzl.com | Category Manager, Sourcing Director, Commercial Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Ocado Retail | Retail / e-commerce operator | Packaging, fulfilment, and transit protection are critical to e-commerce model | ocado.com | Packaging Manager, Fulfilment Director, Supply Chain Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tesco | Retail buyer | Large-scale packaging requirements for private label and logistics efficiency | tesco.com | Packaging Buyer, Category Manager, ESG Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Reckitt | Consumer health and hygiene manufacturer | High need for innovative, compliant, and sustainable packaging formats | reckitt.com | Packaging Development Lead, Procurement Director, Operations Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| AstraZeneca | Pharmaceutical manufacturer | Packaging for regulated products requires quality, traceability, and compliance | astrazeneca.com | Packaging Compliance Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Supply Chain Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| DS Smith | Packaging manufacturer | Relevant as a supply-side player and also a strategic customer for machinery and materials | dssmith.com | Operations Director, Procurement Director, Innovation Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Morrisons | Retail buyer / supermarket | Private label and supply chain packaging decisions are highly relevant | morrisons.com | Packaging Buyer, Category Manager, Supply Chain Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| McCain Foods | Food manufacturer | Packaging for frozen foods demands performance, sustainability, and operational efficiency | mccain.com | Procurement Manager, Packaging Engineer, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| M&S Food | Retail / food buyer | High packaging standards, retail presentation, and sustainable materials demand | marksandspencer.com | Packaging Technologist, Category Manager, Procurement Lead | 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 | Procurement | C-level | Sets sourcing strategy, supplier consolidation, and spend priorities |
| 2 | Director of Procurement | Procurement | Director | Owns packaging and indirect sourcing programs |
| 3 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Manager | Evaluates suppliers, bids, and total cost of ownership |
| 4 | Packaging Development Manager | R&D / Packaging | Manager | Influences pack design, materials, and supplier trials |
| 5 | Packaging Engineer / Technologist | Engineering / Technical | Specialist / Manager | Technical specification and line compatibility decision-maker |
| 6 | Supply Chain Director | Supply Chain | Director | Owns packaging flow, logistics cost, and resilience objectives |
| 7 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Targets productivity, automation, and throughput improvements |
| 8 | Category Manager | Retail / Procurement | Manager | Influences packaging requirements and supplier selection |
| 9 | Head of Sustainability / ESG | Sustainability | Head / Director | Drives recyclable, lightweight, and low-carbon packaging decisions |
| 10 | Co-packing / Contract Packing Manager | Operations / Outsourcing | Manager | Key buyer for filling, packing, labeling, and fulfilment solutions |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Major packaging consumer with high innovation and compliance needs | Procurement, packaging technologists, operations leaders |
| 2 | Consumer Goods | High-volume packaging and branding requirements | Packaging procurement and product development |
| 3 | Retail | Private label, shelf-ready packaging, and logistics efficiency | Category managers and packaging buyers |
| 4 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Fulfilment, transit protection, and supply resilience are core themes | Supply chain directors and fulfilment operators |
| 5 | Packaging & Containers | Direct fit for materials and packaging solution suppliers | Brand owners and channel buyers |
| 6 | Industrial Automation | Strong relevance to machinery, robotics, and line efficiency | Manufacturing and operations decision-makers |
| 7 | Construction | Relevant for industrial packaging, materials handling, and logistics | Supply and operations teams |
| 8 | Pharmaceuticals | Regulated packaging, serialization, and traceability requirements | Procurement and compliance leaders |
| 9 | Medical Devices | High-value, regulated packaging and labeling needs | Operations and quality teams |
| 10 | Business Supplies & Equipment | Broad fit for packaging machinery, consumables, and service providers | Buyer and distributor audiences |
| 11 | Import & Export | Trade-oriented packaging and supply chain users | Distributors and cross-border buyers |
| 12 | Environmental Services | Circular economy, recycling, and waste reduction relevance | Sustainability-led buying teams |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | 7,000+ visitors (historical) | Historical / prior-year evidence | Official website meta description for 2026 edition | Useful benchmark only; not a confirmed 2027 figure |
| Exhibitor count | 450+ suppliers (historical) | Historical / prior-year evidence | Official website meta description for 2026 edition | Confirms scale and buyer-supplier density |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Organizer has not published a buyer count in the supplied content | Avoids unsupported claims |
| Speaker count | 2026 agenda and speakers listed; count not provided in supplied text | Confirmed availability, count not extracted | Official website agenda and speakers pages | Conference content supports lead intelligence use cases |
| Sponsor count | Partners & sponsors page available; count not provided in supplied text | Confirmed availability, count not extracted | Official website partners & sponsors page | Useful for account mapping and partner prospecting |
| Current-year attendance forecast | Not publicly confirmed by the organizer | Confirmed unavailable | No 2027 footfall number published in supplied text | Use historical benchmark only |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Lower cost, supply assurance, and vendor rationalisation | Meet sourcing leaders and category managers | Materials, packaging components, contract manufacturing |
| Technology / automation | Higher throughput, less downtime, better labor efficiency | Demonstrate machinery, robotics, and line integration | Packaging machinery, controls, automation software |
| Sustainability | Recyclable, reduced-plastic, lightweight packaging | Position against ESG and circular economy initiatives | Recycled materials, paper-based packs, bio-based options |
| Contract packing / outsourcing | Flexible capacity and faster market entry | Target co-packers and brand owners seeking outsourced fulfilment | Co-packing, kitting, fulfilment, secondary packaging |
| Design and innovation | Shelf appeal, usability, and brand differentiation | Showcase new pack concepts and prototypes | Packaging design services, mock-ups, innovation materials |
| Fulfilment and logistics | Damage reduction and efficient shipment packaging | Connect with 3PLs, e-commerce, and warehouse operators | Transit packaging, labelling, warehouse-ready solutions |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event centers on packaging buyers, specifiers, and decision-makers |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Strong mix of procurement, operations, technical, and sustainability stakeholders |
| Data collection potential | High | Exhibitor, agenda, sponsor, and innovation pages support list building and account mapping |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear industry and job-title filters align well to packaging buyer profiles |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | UK-centered event with strong Midlands and national buyer concentration |
| Best outreach approach | Account-based outreach and pre-event appointment setting | Best results come from targeting procurement, packaging, and operations teams before the show |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Strong buyer-supplier density and clear commercial intent |
| Best use case | Attendee list sales, exhibitor targeting, and packaging supplier outreach | High-value B2B event intelligence for lead generation teams |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | 2027 attendee list and attendance total are not publicly confirmed in the supplied source |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages; Consumer Goods; Retail; Logistics & Supply Chain; Packaging & Containers; Industrial Automation; Pharmaceuticals; Medical Devices; Environmental Services; Business Supplies & Equipment | Target the highest-probability buyer pools for packaging-related investment |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Supply Chain; Packaging; Engineering; Sustainability; Manufacturing; R&D | Reach functional owners and influencers |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; C-level; Head | Focus on decision-makers and budget holders |
| Job titles | Procurement Director; Strategic Sourcing Manager; Packaging Manager; Packaging Engineer; Supply Chain Director; Operations Director; Category Manager; Sustainability Manager; Head of Packaging; Co-packing Manager | Build targeted prospect lists aligned to event themes |
| Geography | United Kingdom; Ireland; Western Europe | Match expected attendee geography and local buying relevance |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Covers mid-market to enterprise buyers most likely to source at scale |
| Keywords | packaging, packaging procurement, sustainable packaging, co-packing, contract packing, fulfilment, automation, line efficiency, materials, labeling | Capture intent signals and role relevance |
| Company type | Private companies; public companies; subsidiaries of multinational brands; distributors; contract manufacturers | Prioritize active buyers and channel partners |
| Revenue range | $10M+ where available; focus on higher-spend organizations | Improves lead quality for packaging and automation sales |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (packaging OR packaging procurement OR packaging engineer OR head of packaging OR sustainable packaging OR co-packing OR contract packing OR fulfilment) AND (procurement OR sourcing OR operations OR supply chain OR packaging OR sustainability) AND (Food & Beverages OR Consumer Goods OR Retail OR Logistics & Supply Chain OR Pharmaceuticals).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging Innovations & Empack Birmingham official website | Official event website | Event dates, NEC Birmingham venue, show positioning, audience scale for 2026, and thematic focus areas | Very High |
| NEC Birmingham official website | Venue website | Venue identity and Birmingham location validation | High |
| Official exhibitor list page | Official event directory | Availability of exhibitor intelligence and account-mapping opportunities | High |
| Official talks / conference content page | Official agenda / conference page | Conference themes and buyer-relevant content streams | High |
| Official partners & sponsors page | Official sponsor/partner page | Sponsor intelligence and commercial relationship mapping | High |
| 2026 post show report | Official post-event report | Historical evidence for show scale, audience behavior, and market relevance | High |
Note: This report is suitable for B2B attendee list building, exhibitor targeting, buyer profiling, and pre-event outreach. Current-year attendee lists were not publicly confirmed in the supplied source text, so historical official evidence was used where necessary.
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Packaging Innovations & Empack — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds