Robotics & Automation Exhibition
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About this event
Data sheet
Robotics & Automation Exhibition – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 17–18 March 2027
Location: NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 2 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Robotics & Automation Exhibition |
| Event Date | 17–18 March 2027 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | NEC |
| City | Birmingham |
| State / Region | England |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | Not publicly confirmed in the provided official website text |
| Official Event Website | roboticsandautomation.co.uk |
| Event Type | Trade exhibition / industry expo |
| Primary Category | Industrial Engineering |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | IT & Technology; Logistics & Transportation; Manufacturing; Business Services |
| Audience Reach | National with international supplier and technology interest |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Low to medium; public attendance figure not confirmed in the provided official text |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect robotics, automation, systems integration, manufacturing, and industrial technology stakeholders seeking equipment, software, integration, and operational efficiency solutions. |
About the Event
Robotics & Automation Exhibition is positioned as a dedicated UK exhibition focused on robotics and automation technologies, with the official website describing it as “The UK’s largest dedicated Robotics and Automation exhibition.” Based on the event positioning, it is designed to attract industrial decision-makers looking for automation hardware, controls, software, integration, and productivity solutions.
The event matters because robotics and automation are core investment areas for manufacturers, warehouses, logistics operators, and industrial engineering teams pursuing efficiency, resilience, labor optimization, and quality improvement. It is especially relevant for procurement, operations, engineering, production, and digital transformation stakeholders evaluating suppliers, comparing technologies, and identifying implementation partners.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing procurement teams | Discrete manufacturers, process manufacturers, OEMs | Specification, sourcing, vendor selection | High relevance for robotics, automation cells, sensors, controls, and integration services |
| Operations leaders | Factories, plants, fulfillment centers, industrial sites | Operational decision-making and budget influence | Key audience for productivity, throughput, and labor-saving solutions |
| Engineering and automation managers | Industrial engineering teams, systems integrators, plant engineering groups | Technical evaluation and solution design | Strong fit for controls, PLCs, vision systems, robotics, and software providers |
| Supply chain and logistics leaders | 3PLs, warehouses, distribution centers, retailers | Automation prioritization and throughput planning | Relevant for warehouse robotics, AMRs, sortation, and material handling systems |
| IT / digital transformation leaders | Manufacturers, logistics providers, industrial groups | Architecture, cybersecurity, systems integration oversight | Important for connected automation, software platforms, and data-enabled systems |
| Business development and partnership teams | Technology vendors, integrators, distributors, channel partners | Alliance building and commercial discussions | Relevant for channel expansion and strategic partner acquisition |
| Consultants and industry advisors | Automation consultants, manufacturing advisors, change management firms | Influence on vendor recommendations and project scoping | Useful for solution positioning and referral-driven sales |
| Investors and innovation scouts | VCs, corporate venture, innovation teams | Technology screening and market assessment | Relevant for emerging robotics, AI, and industrial startup ecosystems |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Birmingham | Local industrial, engineering, logistics, and manufacturing stakeholders | High | NEC accessibility supports strong local and regional turnout |
| Host region: Midlands / England | Manufacturing and industrial companies across the Midlands corridor | Very High | Strong concentration of industrial and logistics decision-makers |
| Nearby business hubs | Coventry, Wolverhampton, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Manchester, Sheffield | High | Short travel distance supports day-trip attendance from manufacturing clusters |
| National reach | Buyers and specifiers from across the UK | High | Industrial automation is a UK-wide investment theme |
| International reach | European suppliers, technology vendors, and channel partners | Medium | Likely international exhibitor/supplier interest; attendance not confirmed |
| Trade corridor relevance | UK manufacturing, logistics, and automation supply chains | High | Relevant for buyers comparing UK and European automation suppliers |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The event is UK-based and highly relevant to buyers, operators, and suppliers from across the country. |
| Secondary global supplier reach | Supporting classification | International automation vendors and integrators may use the event for UK market access, partner sourcing, and pipeline generation. |
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 buyer / manufacturer | Large-scale engineering and manufacturing operations typically evaluate advanced automation and robotics. | rolls-royce.com | Procurement Director, Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Jaguar Land Rover | Automotive manufacturer | Automotive production environments are heavy users of robotics, machine vision, and automation integration. | jaguarlandrover.com | Automation Manager, Procurement Manager, Plant Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Unilever | Consumer goods manufacturer | Consumer goods production and packaging lines frequently adopt automation for efficiency and quality. | unilever.com | Packaging Manager, Procurement Lead, Operations Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| AstraZeneca | Life sciences manufacturer | Pharma manufacturing and laboratories use robotics for precision, compliance, and productivity. | astrazeneca.com | Engineering Director, Facilities Manager, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tata Steel UK | Industrial manufacturer | Heavy industry relies on automation for safety, throughput, and predictive maintenance. | tatasteeluk.com | Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Amazon | Warehouse / logistics operator | Warehouse automation, fulfillment robotics, and material handling are highly relevant. | amazon.jobs | Operations Manager, Automation Engineer, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| JCB | Industrial equipment manufacturer | Manufacturing operations and advanced production environments are prime automation buyers. | jcb.com | Manufacturing Director, Procurement Manager, Plant Engineer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Network Rail | Infrastructure operator | Infrastructure maintenance and asset monitoring can benefit from robotics and automation systems. | networkrail.co.uk | Asset Manager, Engineering Director, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Ocado | Automation-heavy retailer / logistics operator | Highly relevant to warehouse robotics, software, and material handling automation. | ocado.com | Automation Director, Operations Director, Technology Leader | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| DHL Supply Chain | Logistics / 3PL operator | Automation investments in warehousing and distribution are core to operational improvement. | dhl.com | Supply Chain Director, Warehouse Operations 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 / VP Procurement | Procurement | C-level / VP | Owns strategic sourcing and capital equipment decisions. |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Director / Manager | Evaluates suppliers, pricing, and implementation partners. |
| 3 | Operations Director / Plant Director | Operations | Director / Senior Director | Owns production performance, capacity, and automation ROI. |
| 4 | Automation Manager / Robotics Manager | Engineering / Manufacturing | Manager | Directly responsible for robotics and automation projects. |
| 5 | Manufacturing Engineering Manager | Engineering | Manager / Senior Manager | Defines technical requirements and line improvements. |
| 6 | Supply Chain Director / Logistics Manager | Supply Chain | Director / Manager | Leads warehouse and distribution automation priorities. |
| 7 | CIO / CTO / IT Director | IT / Digital | C-level / Director | Owns integration, systems architecture, and data connectivity. |
| 8 | Facilities Director / Maintenance Manager | Facilities / Maintenance | Director / Manager | Relevant for uptime, plant modernization, and asset reliability. |
| 9 | Program Manager / Project Manager | PMO / Operations | Manager | Coordinates deployment timelines and vendor selection. |
| 10 | Business Development Director / Partnerships Director | Commercial / Partnerships | Director | Relevant for channel, reseller, and integration partnerships. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Industrial Automation | Core audience for robotics, controls, and automation systems | Direct buyer targeting for industrial equipment and integration services |
| 2 | Machinery | Manufacturers of equipment often attend for components, controls, and partnerships | Machine builders, OEM relationships, and component sales |
| 3 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Technical decision-makers shape automation specifications | Engineering-led solution discovery |
| 4 | Construction | Industrial and facilities buildouts can involve automation infrastructure | Plant expansion, retrofit, and facility integration buyers |
| 5 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Warehouse automation and fulfillment systems are highly relevant | 3PLs, DCs, and e-commerce fulfillment buyers |
| 6 | Transportation/Trucking/Railroad | Operational automation, asset tracking, and maintenance use cases | Fleet and depot operations technology buyers |
| 7 | Retail | Retail distribution and fulfillment are strong automation markets | Retail supply chain and warehouse technology buyers |
| 8 | Food Production | Packaging, processing, and hygiene-driven automation demand | Food plant engineering and packaging automation buyers |
| 9 | Information Technology & Services | Connected automation, data platforms, and AI integration | Industrial software and digital transformation buyers |
| 10 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Automation systems rely on sensors, controls, and electronics supply chains | Component, control, and equipment buyers |
| 11 | Computer Software | Automation software, MES, analytics, and integration platforms | Software-led automation and orchestration buyers |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Official website text provided does not include attendance figures | Use as a lead-generation event, but do not rely on attendance volume for quantified forecasting |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | No official count in provided source text | Verify on exhibitor directory or brochure when available |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | No official current-year buyer registration data provided | Likely composed of engineering, operations, procurement, and technology buyers |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Not available in provided official text | Should be checked against agenda or speaker page closer to the event |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Not available in provided official text | Useful for identifying high-intent vendor and partner targets |
| Historical attendance | Not confirmed in provided source text | Historical / prior-year evidence unavailable in supplied text | No prior-year official attendance figure provided here | Use only official exhibitor, speaker, or brochure data if you need a verified historical benchmark |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robotics | Labor-saving automation and process consistency | Demo use cases, ROI conversations, integration planning | Robots, end-effectors, grippers, cobots |
| Factory automation | Throughput, quality, and uptime improvements | Plant audits and modernization discussions | PLC, SCADA, MES, motion control, sensors |
| Machine vision | Inspection, traceability, defect reduction | Quality and compliance-focused lead generation | Vision systems, cameras, AI inspection software |
| Warehouse automation | Fulfillment speed and labor efficiency | Logistics operator discovery and solution mapping | AMRs, sortation, conveyors, AS/RS |
| Industrial software | Data visibility and connected systems | Digital transformation and cross-sell opportunities | MES, analytics, integration platforms, IIoT |
| Safety and compliance | Risk reduction and regulatory compliance | Operational risk conversations and audits | Safety sensors, guarding, compliance software |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is narrowly aligned to robotics and automation decision-makers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely to attract procurement, operations, engineering, and IT leaders. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Strong if exhibitor, speaker, or agenda pages publish names; weak if only broad promotional content is available. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear industry and title filters are available for industrial, manufacturing, logistics, and technology buyers. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Birmingham and the Midlands are strong industrial hubs with clear UK-wide reach. |
| Best outreach approach | High-intent email + LinkedIn + exhibitor/agenda-based prospecting | Target automation, manufacturing, and logistics decision-makers with use-case-led messaging. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong event for B2B attendee list building in industrial automation markets. |
| Best use case | Lead generation, exhibitor targeting, supplier discovery, and buyer profiling | Most valuable for companies selling robotics, automation, controls, software, integration, and industrial services. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | No confirmed attendance figure or attendee list in the provided official text; buyer list must be validated against current event materials. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Industrial Automation; Machinery; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering; Logistics & Supply Chain; Transportation/Trucking/Railroad; Retail; Food Production; Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing; Computer Software; Information Technology & Services | Focus on likely buyers and influencer organizations |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Engineering; Manufacturing; Supply Chain; IT; Facilities; Innovation | Target decision-making functions |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; C-level; Head | Prioritize budget holders and specifiers |
| Job titles | Procurement Manager; Strategic Sourcing Manager; Operations Director; Plant Manager; Manufacturing Engineering Manager; Automation Manager; Robotics Manager; Supply Chain Director; CIO; CTO; IT Director; Facilities Director | Reach the most relevant buying committee |
| Geography | United Kingdom; England; West Midlands; Midlands industrial corridors | Align outreach to likely attendee geography |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,001+ | Prioritize industrial buyers with active budgets |
| Keywords | robotics, automation, cobot, machine vision, PLC, SCADA, MES, warehouse automation, industrial IoT, material handling, systems integration | Refine search to companies with active automation projects |
| Company type | Manufacturer; Operator; Distributor; Logistics provider; Retailer; Integrator; OEM; System supplier | Increase buyer-side relevance |
Suggested Apollo search logic: (robotics OR automation OR “machine vision” OR “warehouse automation” OR cobot OR PLC OR SCADA OR MES) AND (procurement OR operations OR engineering OR manufacturing OR supply chain OR IT) AND geography: United Kingdom OR England OR West Midlands.
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robotics & Automation Exhibition official website | Official organizer / event website | Event title, dates, and positioning as the UK’s largest dedicated robotics and automation exhibition | High |
| Provided official website text excerpt | Primary source excerpt | Confirmed 17th & 18th March 2027 and event description | High |
| NEC Birmingham | Venue reference | Venue location in Birmingham, United Kingdom | Medium |
🎯 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 Robotics & Automation Exhibition — 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