SMS Tech, a leading innovator in digital manufacturing solutions based in Seaham, is proud to announce the continuation of its successful partnership with the Engineering & Manufacturing Network (EMN), with a major milestone on the horizon: the launch of its latest product at this year’s EMCON event, taking place at Sunderland Live in the heart of North East England.

EMCON is an annual engineering and manufacturing showcase and the biggest cross-sector show in North East England.

The new product – “Process History” is the next generation in product conformance capturing – Like its current tool “Shopfloor Software”, it is a fully configurable, paperless and embedded carbon assessed. Designed to fully remove paper-based history packs, the patented tool will not just record conformity but allow real time data to be reviewed to improve productivity.

This announcement marks a full-circle moment for SMS Tech, whose origins trace back to EMCON 2021. It was at this pivotal event that Smart Manufacturing Solutions (SMS) – the parent company of SMS Tech – connected with digital transformation specialists Scale Digital Ventures. That conversation sparked a collaboration that led to the creation of SMS Tech, combining deep operational expertise with cutting-edge digital innovation to transform shop floor operations. SMS Tech now has split from both parent companies and stands independently but with the same focus of digital simplification.

Since its inception, SMS Tech has delivered transformative solutions across the aerospace, automotive, and healthcare sectors, helping manufacturers digitise operations, enhance traceability, and reduce their carbon footprint globally.

“EMCON over the years has been instrumental in our journey,” said Peter Williams, CEO of SMS Tech. “It’s more than just an exhibition – it’s a catalyst for innovation and collaboration. We’re thrilled to return this year not only as exhibitors and Gold Sponsors, but also to unveil our newest product, which we believe will set a new standard in operational efficiency for manufacturers.”

The partnership between SMS Tech and the Engineering & Manufacturing Network (EMN), the organisation behind www.emcon.show, continues to thrive, with both organisations committed to supporting the growth and success of North East England’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.

“EMN is proud to support companies like SMS Tech that exemplify the spirit of innovation and collaboration,” said Ailsa Anderson, Director of Development. “Their journey from exhibitor to industry leader is exactly the kind of success story EMN and EMCON is designed to foster.”

EMCON 2025 will take place on September 18, 2025, at Sunderland Live, Houghton-le-Spring. For more information or to register, visit www.emcon.show.

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They have big plans for 2025 with 2 new Modules being currently worked on with BETA testing starting in April with a release date of EMCON 2025 where they again will be sponsoring the event.

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“After working with the team at the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and seeing the benefits that we achieved in improving morale, reducing costs and supporting targets to net zero we are ecstatic to share we are now on the framework and able to support all other NHS organisations in going digital

The timing of the framework and the current digital plan from government for the public health system has come together nicely

If you want to see how we can help you work smarter faster and greener allowing your team more time for care reach out”

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And the event has also led to the creation of exciting new partnerships…

SMS Tech – an EMCON origin story

For EMN member Smart Manufacturing Solutions (SMS), a trip to EMCON 2021 sparked a game changing collaboration.

Launched at the end of 2019, Smart Manufacturing Solutions (SMS) is an outsourced service provider for the automotive, locomotive and aerospace manufacturing sectors. Its services are designed using lean principles to optimise product quality, process efficiency and effectiveness.

The Seaham-based company supports businesses throughout the product life cycle, from development to production to the after sales market, and its services include consultancy,  process support, vehicle inspection and rework, and recruitment.

SMS joined EMN in 2020 and began to attend network events, finding new suppliers such as C&A Embroidery & Print along the way.

The company booked an exhibition stand at EMCON 2021, hoping to further raise its profile in the manufacturing and engineering sector.

And a chat with fellow exhibitors – digital transformation specialists Fit Factory – led SMS to open a new chapter in its growth journey.

SMS had met the Fit Factory team before.

EMCON, however, gave SMS the opportunity to discuss its expertise in solutions for ‘shop floor’ operations with Fit Factory, which is part of Scale Digital Ventures.

The relationship between the two companies flourished and from this partnership, SMS Tech was launched in 2021.

Combining SMS’s in-depth experience in manufacturing sector operations with Scale Digital Ventures’ expertise in innovating, delivering and supporting manufacturing software, SMS Tech provides a digital solution to operational areas management, removing paper and increasing traceability and compliance. It is designed to improve efficiency, overall performance and reduce the carbon footprint of organisations.

SMS Tech has already won major contracts across the aerospace, automotive and healthcare sectors, with more in the pipeline.

“EMCON 2021 was crucial for us,” says Peter Williams, CEO of SMS Tech and Director of Quality Assurance at SMS. “It enabled us to have a deeper conversation with Fit Factory and this led to further discussions. SMS Tech was born out of these meetings.”

SMS and SMS Tech exhibited at EMCON 2022 and will be back this year: SMS Tech is also supporting the event, which is being held at Rainton Arena, as a Silver Sponsor.

So why is EMCON on the SMS calendar?

“EMCON gives you the ability to showcase all of the services you offer,” Peter replies. “Sometimes people might not always know everything that your company does, so it’s useful to have a platform to explain it to them in person.

“And for SMS Tech, EMCON is fantastic for generating brand awareness: through the event we can gain exposure for our solutions within the engineering and manufacturing community.

“EMCON is brilliant value for money too, especially when compared to larger ‘national’ trade exhibitions. It’s a bargain!

“We go to as many EMN events as possible and have built some great relationships for both SMS and SMS Tech.”

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SMS Tech support organisations in digitalising their operational areas and removing the requirements of paper, in turn this supports the demonstration of compliance and targets of Net Zero. The product is fully customisable and is able to support cross sector organisations we are currently working with several Engineering and manufacturing organisations as well as recently beginning to support working in the public sector with the NHS.

2. What makes SMS Tech great?

Our ethos of supporting our environment and social awareness driven by our teams makes us great (as well as our product)– since being incorporated we have supported several initiatives from planting trees allowing carbon offsetting of our clients and ourselves, we have raised vital funds to enable defibrillators to be put into public spaces via our work with Red Sky Foundation and raised vital funds to support the Bradley Lowery foundation. The reason for choosing these charities is we want to make a difference on the hearts of the individuals and also on the planet. Our team is not just made up of software engineers and coders our team are built up of ex Quality Directors, Operations and Engineering managers which has allowed us to create a product that we believe is missing from products offered.

3. What is your 5 year plan?

Our 5 year plan is to support the manufacturing sector achieve Net Zero, Increase our headcount and take on more apprentices which will bring more younger applicants into the world of STEM, which is backed up by the work we undertake in STEM activities at schools we also want to plant “The Forest of Pete”

4. What are you looking for from your EMN membership?

Continue to get insights of the sector and find best practices, build meaningful relationships and share experiences. The ability to showcase our company at EMCON which we officially launched at in 2022 when our product was ready. EMCON remains an event we will continue with as it feels like its where we began.

5. What information do you want to get out to members?

Lessons learned and thought-provoking discussion pieces. We have been involved in several peer to peer cohorts through the EMN and feel this has helped drive the business forward whilst also being able to support other members.

6. What are you going to offer back to the community?

Happily, support anyone that is looking at getting to get into the public sector to give them some guidance and lessons learned we had to overcome to get into such a regulated industry, which is not to dissimilar to the manufacturing and engineering sector. Share our experiences from our time in engineering and manufacturing roles.

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Showcasing engineering and manufacturing companies, capabilities and opportunities in North East England and beyond, EMCON saw 118 exhibitors demonstrate products and services to delegates from the private and public sectors.

And students and apprentices from across North East England were also given the opportunity to meet employers in a special session at the event.

EMCON, which took place at its new home of Rainton Arena, was known as Durham Oktoberfest until 2017 and was previously held at Glow in Newton Aycliffe. It is delivered by Engineering and Manufacturing Network (EMN).

Sectors such as advanced manufacturing, advanced engineering, fabrication, processing, robotics, software, plastics and training were all represented at EMCON.

New initiatives introduced at EMCON 2023 included a Meet The Buyer programme, delivered by UMi, which enabled suppliers to meet face to face with representatives of major national and international organisations including Nissan, Northumbrian Water, Hitachi Rail and SSE.

Delegates were also able to visit a Skills Zone, which focused on linking education with industry, a Digital Zone, which showcased the benefits of digital adoption, an Energy Zone, which focused on energy saving solutions and a Healthcare Zone, which highlighted opportunities and unresolved needs in the healthcare sector that the engineering and manufacturing sector can help with.

In addition, this year EMCON hosted three fringe events, which provide up-to-the-minute industry insights to delegates. These included: Increasing The Size Of Your Talent Pool and Plugging The Leaks, an event hosted with Engineering Together and the Women’s Engineering Society Tyne Tees Cluster: The University of Sunderland’s North East Maintenance Forum; and Shaping Tomorrow’s Supply Chains: Procurement Law Dynamics and ESG Imperatives, which was delivered by Muckle LLP and ICOR Systems.

Ailsa Anderson, Director of Development at EMN, said: “We were absolutely delighted to see such high footfall at EMCON this year in its new home of Rainton Arena.

“It was exciting to see people from all parts of the engineering and manufacturing community swapping experiences and ideas, gaining knowledge and insight and making valuable new connections through the event. This is heart and soul of EMN!

“With many businesses facing challenges over energy costs, recruitment and retention, and supply chain disruption, it’s more important than ever to bring engineering and manufacturing companies together to help each other solve problems, discover new opportunities and grow. EMCON provides an environment where this can happen and in the long term, contributes to creating a better future for our region.”

David Land, Chairman of EMN, added: “We were thrilled to see the diverse range of innovative businesses exhibiting at EMCON 2023, which is testimony to the vibrancy and strength of North East England’s engineering and manufacturing sector.

“Once again, the event was a true showcase of talent and expertise – a place where SMEs could promote their products and capabilities, and where larger businesses could identify new ways of strengthening their UK supply chains.

“We’d like to thank the delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and partners who contributed to the great success of EMCON 2023. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

EMCON was supported by a range of sponsors, including Gold Sponsors Manchester Metrology, B2B Injection Moulding Ltd and Business Durham, Silver Sponsors RTC, SMS Tech, Decerna, Made Smarter, CMYK and Torishima, and Bronze Sponsors Polymer Compounders and Cirrus Environmental Solutions Ltd. The Meet The Buyer programme was sponsored by Westray Recruitment and Salford Professional Development.

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