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

UK SMEs risk falling behind in AI race, NatWest warns
Engineer male advance robotic machine designer team talking with electronic component part supplier business consulting in heavy machinery industry concept.
UK SMEs risk falling behind in AI race, NatWest warns
Larger businesses are adopting AI at nearly twice the rate of smaller firms, with NatWest warning that skills and investment barriers could leave many SMEs struggling to keep pace.
Aerospace Focus

1 Oct 2026

Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
Natalie Destry
Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
A new white paper published by STEM Returners and backed by Vice Admiral (Retd) Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, is urging the UK Government to help bring experienced professionals back into the workforce and meet defence recruitment targets.
Royal Navy demonstrates ship-busting firepower with Naval Strike Missile and Sea Venom
Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
Royal Navy demonstrates ship-busting firepower with Naval Strike Missile and Sea Venom
HMS Portland and her embarked Wildcat HMA2 demonstrated the Royal Navy’s evolving maritime strike capabilities during the sinking of the former-USS Krakring off the coast of Scotland as part of Exercise Atlantic Thunder 2026.
Aerospace Defence

30 Sep 2026

More than 25% of UK defence firms plan to invest £100m+ over the next year
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting visit BAE Systems' facility in Barrow-in-Furness, Scotland, on 30 July 2026. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Lauren Hurley
More than 25% of UK defence firms plan to invest £100m+ over the next year
Over a quarter of UK defence firms will invest over £100 million in the next year, with air defence, counter-drone systems and cybersecurity as priorities.
Defence

1 Oct 2026

UK defence growth reshapes property market as demand for specialist space surges
An aerial image of the Appledore Shipyard in North Devon. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Charlie Perham
UK defence growth reshapes property market as demand for specialist space surges
The UK’s ongoing defence expansion is creating a major demand for industrial, logistics, office and research and development space as property firms target defence occupiers.
Defence

1 Oct 2026

Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
Natalie Destry
Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
A new white paper published by STEM Returners and backed by Vice Admiral (Retd) Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, is urging the UK Government to help bring experienced professionals back into the workforce and meet defence recruitment targets.
Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
Natalie Destry
Why skilled returners can help meet defence job targets
A new white paper published by STEM Returners and backed by Vice Admiral (Retd) Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE, is urging the UK Government to help bring experienced professionals back into the workforce and meet defence recruitment targets.
Skyrora completes hot-fire test of scaled-down orbital vehicle systems
Skyrora-hot-fire test of scaled-down orbital vehicle systems
Skyrora completes hot-fire test of scaled-down orbital vehicle systems
With its static hot-fire testing of a smaller scale version of its orbital launch vehicle, Skyrora is addressing engineering challenges and reducing technical risk, before scaling up the development of its Skyrora XL rocket programme.
Member News Space

30 Sep 2026

How Astroscale plans to remove a dead satellite from orbit
ELSA-M satellite removal spacecraft
How Astroscale plans to remove a dead satellite from orbit
Astroscale UK's ELSA-M mission will capture a retired Eutelsat OneWeb satellite and pull it towards atmospheric re-entry.
Space

30 Sep 2026

New tools to tackle prison drones, drugs and help offenders into work
National Police Chiefs Council photo of police on duty
New tools to tackle prison drones, drugs and help offenders into work
Lord Chancellor Alex Norris has announced a series of new measures aimed at tackling prison drones, curbing substance abuse and assisting offenders in securing work and accommodation.
Security

1 Oct 2026

UK policing’s first AI crime reporting system goes live in Cambridgeshire
AI online crime reporting test goes live in Cambridgeshire
UK policing’s first AI crime reporting system goes live in Cambridgeshire
The pilot uses conversational AI to gather crime reports, ask follow-up questions and submit a structured crime report directly into police systems.
Security

1 Oct 2026

British Transport Police extends facial recognition trial despite zero direct arrests
Operational Testing of Facial Recognition Technology
British Transport Police extends facial recognition trial despite zero direct arrests
BTP has extended its live facial recognition trial to the London Underground after more than 500,000 scans produced one false match and no direct arrests.
Security

1 Oct 2026