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A Buoyant Mood at Southern Manufacturing and Electronics Show 2023

Visitors to the Ecotile exhibition stand discuss interlocking floor tiles during the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show

Expansion Plans Revealed at Southern Manufacturing 2023

Reflecting a few months after exhibiting at the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show, we’ve been buoyed that the optimism we witnessed during the event has continued. As requirements for ESD flooring continue to increase for Ecotile in 2023, here’s a quick look back at our experience of attending the annual show, which signalled a surge of high-quality enquiries for modular flooring solutions from the manufacturing, aerospace and high-tech sectors.

Build a stand and they will come?

Exhibiting at industry events always carries the fear of low visitor numbers and wasted resources, with the potential of sales colleagues left kicking their heels on expensive square metres of shell scheme space. But from our 3 days at the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show earlier this year, we were left buoyed by the volume of visitors to the show and to the Ecotile stand. A constant stream of visitors, from different sub-sectors, wanting to know more about Ecotile and how it could work for them. Needs varied; some were about to repaint their factory floor, others moving into new, additional premises and saw interlocking floor tiles as a way to protect their new investment.

With interest in both ESD and industrial floor tiles, the visitors to the Ecotile stand were very positive about their business growth, with many leading to planned expansion or refurbishment of their existing premises.

Over 80% of visitors we spoke to on the Ecotile exhibition stand had specific projects in mind for their premises’ flooring.

This bodes well for future projects and ultimately sales opportunities for both Ecotile and our trade partners. But crucially it felt like a real barometer for the industry as a whole.

It’s been tough for most. It still is for many, but the positivity and optimistic feedback we gathered certainly put a spring in our step as a British manufacturer and exporter. And long may it continue.

Raising awareness to challenge traditions

Some visitors had not seen industrial floor tiles before (a nicely constructed pile of coloured tiles on the stand helping to attract the eye and stimulate interest!). Others knew of them but hadn’t made the connection of using them instead of repainting their floors – the ability to minimise disruption and use the flooring straight away was as well received as always). It was interesting but unsurprising that the ‘repainting floors conversation’ was usually accompanied by raised eyebrows, rolling of the eyes, and the general mannerisms of someone not relishing the prospect. Especially having just seen an alternative to solve their needs in the longer term.

A colourful pile of Ecotile interlocking floor tiles attracts visitors to an exhibition stand at the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show at Franborough in February 2023

Tiles are easy to lay, we know this. But the longevity of floor tiles for businesses shouldn’t be underestimated. People often like an easier life, whether at home or at work. So, a 20+ year solution provides real food for thought to create a great workspace, with minimum ongoing maintenance.

Turning opportunities into sales

Leads have converted since the show, with businesses in manufacturing and aerospace installing new modular flooring solutions into their premises. Many opportunities and projects are still live and ongoing. For some a new option added to their procurement thought process. For others a viable and beneficial alternative to challenge the ‘traditional’ thinking for flooring protection and aesthetics for their businesses’ budget holders to consider.

We’ve rebooked for 2024 and are looking forward to hopefully hearing many more positive stories of British businesses expanding into 2024.

Head to the Southern Manufacturing and Electronics show website, to find out more information about attending in 2024.



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