General Atomics

Easyfairs acquires UK Metals Expo

Easyfairs has acquired UK Metals Expo Limited. This move seamlessly complements Europe’s largest network of powerhouse industrial events, which boasts 30+ manufacturing and industrial processing exhibitions and earlier this year saw Southern Manufacturing & Electronics added to Easyfairs’ distinguished portfolio.



Image courtesy Easyfairs

Easyfairs today announced the acquisition of UK Metals Expo Limited. This move seamlessly complements Europe’s largest network of powerhouse industrial events, which boasts 30+ manufacturing and industrial processing exhibitions and earlier this year saw Southern Manufacturing & Electronics added to Easyfairs’ distinguished portfolio.
 
Since its launch in 2022, UK Metals Expo has become firmly established as the annual event uniting the entire metals supply chain. The event has experienced phenomenal year on year growth in visitor attendance and exhibitor participation and enjoys the support of all key trade associations in the sector. This growth, coupled with strong enthusiasm from all stakeholders for networking and learning opportunities, has positioned the event as a significant force shaping the future of the metals sector in the UK. The next edition will take place on 10 & 11 September 2025 at the NEC Birmingham and will welcome 380 exhibitors.
 
UK Metals Expo joins a portfolio of established Easyfairs events, including the UK-based Advanced Engineering and Southern Manufacturing & Electronics. There are obvious synergies between the events, including strong relationships with leading industry associations, plus an enhanced network of key visitor and exhibitor brands and complete supply chain coverage, offering more annual touch points for stakeholders to connect and do business. This knowledge, range of experts, suppliers, technology, creativity and innovation, is set to serve the entire UK manufacturing value chain.
 
UK Metals Expo also becomes part of a portfolio of European events including: Metal Madrid – part of Advanced Manufacturing Madrid – Spain’s largest annual gathering for manufacturing, machining and metal processing, Metavak in The Netherlands and Journée de Métal in Belgium, to name but a few. The synergy between the events opens up numerous exciting opportunities for the UK Metals Expo exhibitors to unlock channels to new audiences across Europe.
 
Alison Willis, CEO of Easyfairs UK & Global, commented: “We are excited to work with the UK Metals Expo team to continue to grow and develop this fantastic event. Supporting and championing the manufacturing industry has become an integral part of Easyfairs’ mission. Easyfairs will strive to further strengthen UK Metals Expo with our technology infrastructure, sizeable database from running 30+ industrial events and strong relationships with relevant media and associations. I’m confident that together we will be even better placed to serve this renowned community.”
 
“It was vital for us to consider what was best for the future of the event and the community it serves. Our event was borne out of a relationship with the UK Metals Council, so we needed to find the right organiser who would continue to position it as the annual focal point for the metals sector,” commented Jason Franks, Managing Director of UK Metals Expo. “Easyfairs was immediately identified as the perfect home for the UK Metals Expo. Myself and the team recognise the synergies between our values, objectives and long-term plans and are all excited to work with the Easyfairs team to continue to successfully deliver the 2025 event and beyond. This is the obvious next step in the UK Metals Expo journey.”

Related

Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The GCAP fighter jet
Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The first of three engineering hubs designed to support the development of the future GCAP fighter has opening, with similar sites in the UK and Japan coming soon.
Aerospace Defence

9 Oct 2026

Marshall Aerospace begins new chapter as Aurelius acquisition completes
Marshall Aerospace C-130s
Marshall Aerospace begins new chapter as Aurelius acquisition completes
The completion of AURELIUS' acquisition of Marshall Aerospace marks a new chapter in the company's illustrious history, which spans more than a century of engineering excellence, innovation and service.
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
Sentinel Photonics' LASARD MAX Connect
Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
With one single hub that joins up laser detection sensors, operators can now see, share and act on laser threats across a wide area in real time.
AI to help SMEs win defence contracts: Inside Strategical’s solution
Aerospace SME using AI to win defence contracts
AI to help SMEs win defence contracts: Inside Strategical’s solution
Smaller suppliers can struggle to turn technical capability into defence orders. Strategical is using AI to make specialist bidding expertise more accessible and help businesses focus on work they can realistically secure.
Defence Member News

10 Oct 2026

Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The GCAP fighter jet
Edgewing opens engineering hub in Italy with UK site to follow
The first of three engineering hubs designed to support the development of the future GCAP fighter has opening, with similar sites in the UK and Japan coming soon.
Aerospace Defence

9 Oct 2026

UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
Satellite in Earth orbit
Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
In a project co-funded by the European Space Agency Business Applications and Space Solutions (ESA BASS) and supported by the UK Space Agency, Excelerate Technology will build and demonstrate how space-enabled assets can provide innovative safety and security solutions, including protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) at a site in the UK.
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
ESA Argonaut
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
As Europe prepares to return to the Moon, British-developed LEIA LiDAR technology will help ESA's Argonaut lander autonomously identify safe touchdown zones on the lunar surface.
Space

5 Oct 2026

Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
Sentinel Photonics' LASARD MAX Connect
Sentinel Photonics brings multiple laser detection sensors into one hub
With one single hub that joins up laser detection sensors, operators can now see, share and act on laser threats across a wide area in real time.
Big cargo drones complete first BVLOS delivery to North Sea wind farm
Skyports and Ørsted North Sea wind farm cargo drone trial
Big cargo drones complete first BVLOS delivery to North Sea wind farm
Skyports and Ørsted conducted a complex North Sea cargo drone trial, illustrating how heavy loads can safely and efficiently be delivered offshore beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Aerospace Security

9 Oct 2026

UK Government and UKRI invest £54m to prevent future disease outbreaks
Poultry facility
UK Government and UKRI invest £54m to prevent future disease outbreaks
The UK Government and UKRI are investing £54 million in biosecurity research to tackle antimicrobial resistance, improve disease outbreak preparedness, develop next-generation vaccines and strengthen protection against emerging biological threats.
Security

8 Oct 2026