18 May, 2023 / BY Neil Sharp

Subcon 2023: what to expect and where to find us!

Subcon 2023 is scheduled to take place at the NEC in Birmingham, England, from the 7th to the 8th of June. It is the UK's premiere subcontractor manufacturing supply show, with more than 200 companies exhibiting under one roof. 

Now in its 47th year, Subcon has firmly established itself as an important event for  manufacturing professionals looking to source suppliers, benchmark their capabilities against others in the industry and secure new partners.

The show covers a vast array of industries - from Automotive, Energy, Oil & Gas and Electronics to Aerospace, Materials, Rail and Defence & Security. 

Should you go in 2023?

Pre-Covid, Subcon was regularly attracting well over 4,000 unique visitors, with the vast majority intending to source products and services.

In recent years, however, attendance has been slightly down and the length of the event shortened.  But with the sector roaring into life again and many new opportunities around sustainability and micro-mobility to explore, there are many compelling reasons to make the trip to the NEC this year.

Attendees of this year’s show can take advantage of two days of tailored conference content, free of charge, with the chance to check out the latest trends in manufacturing excellence, the newest insights around supply chain optimisation and the most inspiring examples of best-practise case studies.

Come and say hi! ESCATEC will be at Booth E108, Hall 12

What's more, ESCATEC will also be exhibiting, so pop along to Booth E108 in Hall 12 and say hello!

We’ll share with you the range of cutting-edge services we can offer our OEM partners, including D&D, MOEMS, PCBA, Box Build, Cabinet Assembly, Electro-Mechanical Assembly, and Plastic Injection Moulding.  

We'll also give you the low down on the growth of our design and manufacturing operations from Europe to Malaysia, and show you how we achieve global reach through leveraging local facilities.  

And, if that isn't enough - to ensure you make the most of your time at the event, here’s a rundown of the key things you’ll need to know:

1) Location

Subcon 2023 is being held at Hall 12 in the Birmingham NEC. If you’re intending to drive, the SATNAV postcode is B40 1NT. The NEC is near junction 6 of the M42 motorway, adjacent to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Railway.

2) Getting There

By Road: Birmingham is at the hub of the UK motorway network,enabling visitors to travel directly from the M6, M1, M40, and M42. 

By Rail: The NEC and NEC Arena are served by Birmingham International station, connected by a covered bridgelink. London is only 90 minutes away and trains also run direct to many regional towns and cities.

By Air: Birmingham International Airport is served by more than 20 international airlines and is conveniently situated just a few minutes from the NEC. Together they provide scheduled flights from 34 destinations within the UK, Europe and North America. 

3) Parking

There is plenty of parking at the NEC, with daily charges ranging from £12 per day for standard, pre-paid and disabled parking, up to £20 per day for Express Parking. A regular shuttle service runs from the carpark to the halls from one hour prior to the show start time through to one hour after the show finish time each day. For those happy to walk from the carpark, there is clear signage to guide you to the halls.

4) Opening Hours

Weds 7th June 2023: 09.30 - 16.30

Thurs 8th June 2023: 09.30 - 16.00

5) Entry

Entry to the show is free of charge. To save queuing on the day and make the most of your time, you can pre-register.

6) Top Tips for Your Visit

With so many booths to visit, it's important to plan ahead. Create a checklist of must-see vendors and presentations, and contact them in advance to book appointments. Get a floorplan from the show organizers to optimize your route and schedule buffer time for each meeting. Take regular breaks and review each vendor at the end of the day, noting any special trade show offersNew call-to-action

Written by Neil Sharp

Neil has over 25 years’ experience in Electronics Manufacturing Services and Component Distribution. During his career, Neil has held a range of leadership positions in sales, marketing, and customer service. Neil is currently part of the ESCATEC Senior Management Team and is responsible for setting and delivering the overall Group Marketing strategy. Neil heads up the marketing department and is responsible for both the strategy and the implementation of innovative marketing campaigns designed to deliver high quality content to those seeking outsourcing solutions.