The PPMA Show 2026, running from 22–24 September at the NEC Birmingham, will present one of the most technically diverse exhibitor line-ups the event has hosted. With machinery operating live on the show floor, the event promises British manufacturers a practical opportunity to assess how new labelling, packaging and automation solutions could be deployed on production lines.
Live demonstrations aimed at productivity and flexibility
Organisers have assembled suppliers of full packaging lines, nitrogen generation systems, fluid management, colour-on-demand label printers and optical sorters. The emphasis is on technologies that reduce waste, shorten changeovers and let manufacturers respond faster to regulatory or market changes.
Among the headline exhibitors, Epson will use stand A54 in Hall 5 to illustrate the case for in-house, full‑colour label production with its ColorWorks family. The demos aim to show how printing labels on demand can cut the need for large stocks of pre-printed rolls and speed responses to SKU edits or promotions.
“Print exactly the labels they need, when they need them,”
The quotation above comes from Phil McMullin, head of sales for commercial & industrial printing at Epson UK, summarising the vendor pitch that colour-on-demand can preserve print quality while reducing waste and inventory.
Wide-ranging label and automation offerings
Label specialist AM Labels will mark its 30th anniversary with a broad showcase (stand A23) that includes multiple new colour printers and digital presses, plus automation systems for print-and-apply tasks. The company is bringing devices from several manufacturers — including OKI and Canon models making UK debuts — and will advise on whether in-house production or outsourcing better suits a given operation.
Autopack Group will field its largest machinery presence to date, spread across stands A12 and B20. The firm plans to run more than 25 machines live and will introduce Autoweigh, a new division focused on weighing and inspection — functions that are central to food safety and compliance on high-speed lines.
- On-demand labelling: vendors argue it reduces stock and improves responsiveness.
- Automation and inspection: higher throughput and compliance via live machine demonstrations.
- Colour digital printing: makes bespoke packaging and short runs economically viable.
What manufacturers will actually see
Organisers and exhibitors are pitching the show as a place where buyers can watch end‑to‑end systems in action: labels printed and applied, pouches formed and sealed, products weighed and inspected. That matters because decisions to invest in automation are not just about individual components — they depend on how machines integrate, how changeovers are managed, and what inspection technologies can detect.
The PPMA Show’s value proposition rests on the rare chance to witness these interactions in real time. For production managers and engineers, evaluating noise, footprint, throughput and the practicalities of line changeovers is often decisive; these are harder to judge from brochures or videos.
| Exhibitor | Focus at PPMA 2026 |
|---|---|
| Epson | Colour-on-demand labelling with ColorWorks range |
| AM Labels | New colour printers, digital presses and automation systems |
| Autopack Group | Full packaging lines, new Autoweigh weighing & inspection division |
For UK manufacturers under pressure to improve efficiency and sustainability, the show offers a timely forum. Whether the technologies on display translate into reliable, cost‑effective upgrades will depend on careful on‑site evaluation and follow‑up trials — precisely the kind of scrutiny the PPMA organisers are aiming to encourage.
The event runs across three days in late September and is positioned as essential viewing for production teams considering investments in labelling, packaging, automation and inspection technologies.
