UKPackaging Expo Launches in Manchester with Strong Industry Support

UKPackaging Expo Launches in Manchester with Strong Industry Support

Press Release

The first edition of UKPackaging Expo ran from 3rd – 4th September at Manchester Central, a landmark venue at the heart of a buzzing northern city.

A diverse mix of high-calibre exhibitors delivered an inspiring showcase of packaging innovation and advanced manufacturing solutions, serving industries from FMCG and pharmaceuticals to automotive and aerospace. The show floor featured everyone from global names such as Unilever to established British manufacturers including Facer, Protek and Record Packaging Systems, alongside emerging players like N&E Innovations (ViKang), which made its UK market debut. Visitors explored a wide range of solutions, including turnkey production-line machinery, adhesive application systems, sustainable packing tape, pallet-stabilising technologies, leak-prevention cartons, recycled plastics, roll bags and ecommerce-ready delivery packaging. Meanwhile, organisations such as Sheffield Hallam University, Innovate UK, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the North of England Packaging Society and WWF, together with leading sustainability consultants Beyondly and Aura Pioneering, provided guidance on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and other pressing priorities facing the sector.


Exhibitor and Visitor Experience


Luke Wilson, owner of Facer, a company with 85 years of heritage, said he was impressed by the quality of engagement:

“It’s been quality over quantity, and those conversations equalled what we’ve had at shows with much higher footfall. Some visitors came specifically to see us, and we met everyone from start-ups to established brands and even some major retailers. The location in the north really works, and it’s been great for networking. They’ve put on a good show.”

                                         

The Managing Director of Protek, Eamon Talbot, echoed the positive mood:

“We’d taken a break from exhibiting for six years but saw this as the right opportunity. The Expo is close to home, within budget, and we’ve had enquiries from companies solving problems as well as those developing brand new products. For us it’s also about networking – many of our potential customers were exhibiting too. We provide one piece of the jigsaw, but here we’ve found partners to help customers build complete solutions.”


At Mark Forged, which showcased the world’s first composite and metal printer, Oscar Cutts reported good lead quality:

“It’s worth it in my opinion. The Expo’s well organised, the venue works, and it’s cost-effective and efficient.”

Visitor feedback reinforced the sense of optimism. Adrian Robinson of Seidel GmbH commented:

“It’s good to see someone disrupt the status quo. A lot of decisions are made in the south, but the doers are in the north. With so much industry in the north-west, it makes perfect sense to hold an exhibition here. Footfall may be lower than some shows – it’s the first year, after all – but what matters is the quality of discussion. There’s a reason companies like Unilever are here with a strong presence, and the next edition will be even stronger.”

The Sustainability Imperative 

If one message stood out from the inaugural UKPackaging Expo, it was that sustainability and EPR compliance are now non-negotiable. The Content Theatre drew consistent crowds as exhibitors and visitors sought clarity on the complex and fast-evolving regulations and their cost implications.


Gillian Garside Wright, MD of Aura Pioneering, summed up the mood:

“The UK is lagging behind Europe and the US on EPR, so businesses are understandably anxious. It’s about capturing data and knowing your obligations, which change depending on where products are sold. We have to update our advice constantly, as the requirements shift week by week. Digital passports on packaging are likely to come, though very small businesses don’t need to panic yet, as many will fall below the thresholds.”

She added that her team had met “a wide cross-section of visitors – retailers, brands, recyclers, manufacturers – and had some really valuable conversations.”