NMS 2026 Conference Themes Empowering SMEs, strengthening supply chains, and scaling innovation through industrial strategy NMS has a history of addressing prevalent areas of focus for industry, and the 2026 edition is no different. Through a combination of keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops and roundtables, the conference agenda will bring together industry experts and thought leaders to share their knowledge and expertise on what matters most to the UK manufacturing sector.
What does industrial strategy mean for me? • From policy to production: translating strategy into SME success • Voices from the shop floor: real-world impacts of the industrial strategy • Levelling up locally: regional opportunities for manufacturers
Knowledge transfer & innovation • Bridging the gap: universities, Catapult Centres, and the manufacturing base • Digital twins, AI & automation: making innovation accessible to SMEs • Case studies in collaboration: lessons from knowledge transfer partnerships
Access to help, support & finance • Navigating the support landscape: who’s here to help? • Unlocking capital: finance options for every stage of growth • The human factor: mentorship, peer networks, and leadership development
The role of large enterprises • Anchor enterprises: how OEMs can strengthen the UK supply chain • Tier 1 collaboration: building resilient, localised ecosystems • Mentorship & procurement: big business supporting small innovators
“The 2025 edition of the National Manufacturing Summit was the largest one we’ve ever done; we had a full auditorium, a huge amount of onsite activity including a full exhibition floor, and thousands of people joining us live online. We really shone the spotlight on the future of manufacturing, here at the MTC.” Dr. Graham Hoare CEO - Manufacturing Technology Centre
Global collaboration & trade • Made in the UK, connected to the world: global trade opportunities • Navigating global supply chains: risk, resilience, and rebuilding • Standards, sustainability, and strategy: competing in a global marketplace
Lessons learned so far • Resilience in action: what COVID, Brexit, and energy crises taught us • The evolving role of manufacturing advisory services • From surviving to thriving: SME transformation stories
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