Increased visitor numbers, top-level buyers, real business done and an unprecedented level of rebooking by exhibitors underlined Subcon’s position as the UK’s prime event for the contract and subcontract manufacturing sector.

The event, which was held at the NEC Birmingham from 7 to 9 June, attracted 7% more visitors on a like-for-like basis than when it was held alongside the MACH machine tool exhibition in 2010. It also benefited from crossover visitors from the Logistics Link Live and Tooling events, giving a total number of visitors that was 25% up on 2010.

In contrast to general engineering technology shows, the central focus of Subcon on subcontract manufacturing services meant that around 30% of visitors were from purchasing and supply chain departments – the key decision makers for strategic outsourcing projects.

The visitor profile was notable for the high level of supply chain professionals from blue chip manufacturers, such as Rolls-Royce, Siemens, Jaguar Land Rover, Mitsubishi, BAe Systems and Bombardier.

These were complemented by the design teams that have a major input into sourcing strategies for new contracts and the production professionals who are responsible for tactical subcontracting and special process sourcing.

In terms of seniority, 70% of visitors were of director or manager level and 50% were the ultimate decision makers on sourcing subcontract services. Over 25% were responsible for an overall spend on subcontracting in excess of £1m a year – with nearly 9% responsible for spends of over £5m a year.

Exhibitors were delighted with the levels of business done at the show.

Gerry Dunne, Chairman of MAN (Midlands Assembly Network) said: “We received more than 40 strong leads over the course of the three days and this could turn into hundreds of thousands of pounds of new business for the group.

“What was particularly pleasing was the quality of the leads. They weren’t just lukewarm introductions, but more a case of companies coming to us with drawings and asking us to quote for them.”

David Lindsay, managing director of Laser Process, said: “It went very well, we have already had orders from the show – in fact we had one the day after it finished, which was great.”

Jean-Yves Dzicky, business development manager of WEC group, added: “We were expecting Subcon to be a busy show this year, but the number of genuine enquiries we’ve collected went far beyond our expectations. We’ve had over 150 qualified leads split evenly between our machining, laser cutting, and fabrication divisions, a number of which are already looking really promising. We left the show with enough drawings to keep our estimators busy for a while.

“This was by far the best subcontract engineering show we’ve attended over the past few years. The decision to rebook our stand for next year was an easy one!”

Indeed the level of enthusiasm among exhibitors for next year’s show was unprecedented, with 63% of re-bookable space already taken for 2012.

Subcon event director Ron Cordeiro commented: “We are delighted to see another year-on-year increase in the success of Subcon. We have really established the show as the must-visit event for top-level buyers of contract and subcontract manufacturing services. The event works so well for visitors and exhibitors because subcontracting is its main focus rather than an afterthought. That is what adds value for busy sourcing professionals and results-oriented exhibitors.”

Subcon returns to the NEC Birmingham from 14 to 16 June 2012.