TCT Show + Personalize Hailed as the Must Attend Event for 3D Technologies

Chester, UK, 26th October 2015: Following the celebration of the 20th edition of TCT Show + Personalize , the organisers Rapid News Publications Ltd reported that attendance for the show has hit over 6000 (pending BPA audit), a record attendance across the two-day iteration of the show.
 
Over 200 companies exhibited, representing the whole ecosystem of innovative tools for designing and making across product development, engineering and true manufacturing. The unprecedented array of over 70 different 3D printing and additive manufacturing machines on show shared the hall with a exhaustive display of supporting, complementary and competitive 3D technologies.
 
The conference arena once again brought together thought-leaders and industry heavyweights from EnvisionTec, HP, Autodesk, Boeing and Lotus F1, who presented to more than 1500 conference attendees during the event, a testament to the insights on offer.
 
This mix of technology and education ensures that TCT Show + Personalize remains the leading 3D printing, additive manufacturing and product development technology show in the UK, the success also reaffirmed its importance to the global market with exhibitors coming from 23 countries across the globe and visitors attending from 45 different countries.
 
Duncan Wood, C.O.O and Event Director at Rapid News Publications Ltd, commented: “Another record breaking year for TCT saw more exhibitors than ever before — including the most 3D printing machine manufacturers ever assembled under one roof — take part in the 20thanniversary event.  A resulting increase in floor space, more international visitors and solid growth again in overall visitor numbers when compared to the last two-day event in 2013 ensures the UK event continues to be the benchmark and one from which we can continue our global expansion.
 
We are delighted with the feedback from our visitors this year, which we believe proves that TCT Show remains among the most valuable dates in any designer, engineer or manufacturing professional’s diary.”
 
Stephen Suddell, Key Account Manager, Assystem UK Ltd commented: “Really first class show with a superbly diverse collection of stands and state of the art presentations. Excellent.”
 
Other visitors had travelled from further afield, to participate: “The TCT show was an extremely worthwhile event for me, especially considering that I travelled from South Africa at considerable cost. I'll be back!” explained Glenn Kieser, Managing Director, 3DWorx.
 
Newcomers and veterans alike visit TCT Show to develop the knowledge that could prove vital to the future of their projects and businesses. Karl O'Mahony, Product Development Manager at EasyFix Rubber Products shared his experience: “Overall a great show and a must for anyone already involved or starting out in 3D printing, whether you are looking to purchase a machine or just expand your knowledge on the advancements that are being made in 3D printing technology on an ongoing basis, the TCT show is a great place to achieve those aims.”
 
TCT Show + Personalize 2016 takes place 28th to 29thSeptember at the NEC, Birmingham.

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Note to Editors: TCT Show is a two-day event except every third year when it co-locates alongside another Rapid News-owned event, Interplas, and becomes a three-day event. The next three-day event will take place in 2017. The 2015 edition saw a record attendance for the two-day iteration of TCT Show. BPA audit pending.

Registration for the UK’s Biggest 3D Technologies Event Hits Record High

This year TCT Show + Personalize is celebrating its 20th anniversary and promises to be the best edition to date as registrations for the event, with just two weeks to go, hit record levels.  

As the world’s largest and most comprehensive dedicated 3D technologies event, the TCT show floor really is the only place to be in September, as the biggest players in the 3D printing industry come out in force to demonstrate their full range of capabilities. The biggest names in 3D printing — including industry champions Stratasys, EOS, EnvisionTEC, Renishaw, Materialise, SLM Solutions, Autodesk, Arcam, citim GmbH, Declam, ExOne, Höganäs, Proto Labs, Mcor, Makerbot, Roland DG, 3D Systems, DSM Somos, and Ultimaker — will all be present at TCT Show, bringing together the largest number of additive manufacturing technology manufacturers in one place. This year, TCT also boasts over 60 brand new exhibitors that have never before shown their products to a TCT audience. For a full list of exhibitors, click here.  

The newest and freshest talent of 3D printing can be explored in the Start Up Zone and through the TCT Introducing stage — an opportunity to see the very latest product launches from both first-time exhibitors and returning companies with something new to unveil. For the maker community, TCT welcomes back the RepRap Hub, a renowned hotbed for sharing ideas and making connections.

In the main conference arena, keynotes will kick off morning and afternoon sessions on both days of the show including: Al Siblani, CEO, EnvisionTec; J. Scott Schiller, Worldwide Director of 3D Printing, HP; Andy Middleton, President EMEA, Stratasys; Max Lobovsky, Founder & CEO, Formlabs; Dr Conor MacCormack, Co-founder and CEO, Mcor Technologies; and finally, Todd Grimm, President, T.A. Grimm & Associates.  

The rest of the sessions will cover the myriad applications of 3D technologies across a diverse range of industries. Day one features sessions focusing on Design, Prototyping and Manufacturing looking at the processes themselves; Day two will then cover applications of the technologies in the Transport, Healthcare, and Jewellery & Heritage sectors. For the full list of confirmed speakers, click here.  

The Technology Stage will feature a host of interesting and informative seminar sessions carefully crafted to educate both new and experienced users of 3D technologies. The ever-popular Introduction to Additive Technologies session will return to the show as well as industry-focused sessions on software, inspection, digitising and metrology. A new session for 2015 called Introducing the UL AM Training Curriculum will look at training standards in the 3D printing sector.  

Finally, making a welcome return to TCT Show will be TCT Inspired Minds in association with Black Country Atelier and 3D Systems, giving schoolchildren the chance to get hands-on 3D printing experience.  

Head of Content at TCT, James Woodcock, said:

“The 20th anniversary edition of TCT Show + Personalize was always going to be special and the whole team is exceptionally proud of the event we’ve put together for 2015. The TCT show floor has become the benchmark against which other shows are measured, and the conference stage attracts the biggest names in the industry year-on-year. To have all of this available free for visitors is an unparalleled achievement. We’ve seen an incredible evolution of 3D technologies in the last few years but TCT Show remains the very best place to see everything together under one roof.”

TCT Show + Personalize 2015 & formnext powered by TCT 2015 - Call for Speakers

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Rapid News Communications Group (RNCG), the company behind the whole TCT portfolio, has announced the Call for Speakers for both the 2015 edition of TCT Show + Personalize, being held 30th Sept – 1st Oct at the NEC, Birmingham, and formnext powered by TCT, the trade show for tool making and additive technologies/3D printing taking place in Frankfurt, Germany from 17th–20th November 2015.

TCT Show + Personalize is by far the biggest concentration of design, development, manufacturing and engineering professionals in the UK at any time in 2015. For 20 years TCT Show + Personalize has been the leading show in additive manufacturing and has welcomed the most distinguished speakers and commentators in the industry on to its stage.


Following the recently announced long-term strategic partnership between formnext, organized by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH and the TCT group, part of RNCG, it has been agreed that the conference programme will be organised and delivered by TCT’s experienced and well-connected team. The combination of both organisations facilitates a high-level two-day conference with international speakers running in parallel to the show.

The two events will build on the huge success of TCT’s conferences in the UK, Asia and at International CES in Las Vegas. Accordingly, the organisers are now looking for insightful, educational and entertaining presentations from industry leaders, evangelists, commentators and super users who can shine the spotlight on the technologies and signpost how they will develop in the future.

Presentations on any topic relating to where the physical and digital worlds intersect will be considered, with emphasis on 3D printing, additive manufacturing and product development specifically.

TCT Show + Personalize 2015 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on September 30th - October 1st 2015. Formnext takes place in Frankfurt, Germany from 17th – 20th November 2015. All submissions must come with confirmation that the proposed speaker is able to attend on specified dates.

A working title, 200 word synopsis and speaker credentials are requested no later than April 30th 2015. Submissions should be sent to James Woodcock, Conference Director via james@rapidnews.com.

Rapid News Communications Group Concludes Interplas Acquisition from Reed Exhibitions

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Chester, UK, November 14th, 2014: Rapid News Communications Group is delighted to announce that it has concluded the purchase of Interplas from Reed Exhibitions UK.

Interplas is the UK’s largest plastics industry exhibition and the only UK event to cover all of the manufacturing processes, technologies and services within the plastics industry. Under the management of Rapid News since 2011, the event has undergone a remarkable turnaround with visitors, exhibitors and floorspace all increasing during both the 2011 and recent 2014 editions.

The purchase, for an undisclosed amount, concludes a period of licence during which Rapid News have revitalised the event. Much of this success can be attributed to the unique position Rapid News holds operating the key European plastics publications British Plastics and Rubber (BP&R), European Plastic Product Manufacturer (EPPM) and Medical Plastics News (MPN). The strength of audience reach offered by these media brands, along with a deep history in the sector built on long-term relationships, has accelerated the return of the event to the standout plastics event in the UK.

Commenting on the acquisition by Rapid News Communications Group, Philip Law, Director-General of the British Plastics Federation, said: “Interplas now has a clear direction and confidence in the future. It is a further step in the process of making the UK a 'go to place' globally for plastics technology and products.”

Nigel Flowers, Chairman of the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA), said: “From both the PMMDA and UK polymer industry viewpoint it is great news that Interplas has now found a permanent ‘home’ in the Rapid News portfolio. The market needs a showcase event, and this is found in Interplas. It has been especially encouraging to see Interplas flourish this year and we are confident that this success will continue under Rapid’s control.”

Duncan Wood, C.O.O and Event Director at Rapid News Communications Group, commented: “Interplas has continued its resurgence under our management this year and we are delighted now to formally announce the conclusion of the acquisition and officially add it to our already strong plastics portfolio, strengthening our commitment to the UK and wider European plastics industry. 2014 represented a second consecutive edition with solid growth on all the key metrics of number of visitors, exhibitors and space sold and we now have a fantastic foundation which to build the event and we look forward to working with our partners, exhibitors and key associations such as the BPF and PMMDA to develop a world class showcase for the UK plastics industry in 2017."

Interplas 2017 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, UK on September 26th-28th, 2017.

About Interplas
Interplas is the UK’s largest plastics industry exhibition and the only UK event to cover all of the manufacturing processes, technologies and services within the plastics industry. Operating on a tri-annual basis, the next edition will take place in 2017 and will comprise 400 exhibitors with an attendance approaching 12,000. Visit the website at www.interplasuk.com and follow the event on twitter @interplasuk

Serious selling and high spirits during three-day show

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The three days of Interplas saw buzzing halls and high spirits as well as some major stand sales, testament to the positivity felt in the industry.

Visitor numbers and footfall was up, with the organisers saying the show an attracted over 10,400 attendees (pending BPA audit) for its 2014 edition, a number that represents growth of 10 percent against 2011 figures alongside increased exhibitor numbers and an expanded show floor.

International attendance at Interplas also increased in 2014, with visitors from 56 countries travelling to the NEC, Birmingham, underlining the importance of the UK plastics sector on the world stage.

“Interplas has continued its resurgence under our management, and 2014 represents a second consecutive edition with solid growth on all the key metrics of number of visitors, exhibitors and space sold,” commented Duncan Wood, COO and Event Director for the show.

“The key to the continued resurgence of Interplas under the management of Rapid News is the level of business created and executed at the event. The post-show feedback this year, has been unequivocally positive in this area.”

Testament to this, Romi Machines UK announced it had sold some 14 machines on the first day of Interplas alone, Richard Hird of Premier Moulding Machinery said that the company had sold four machines and PMS UK sold its Borsche BS150 moulding machine straight off its stand.

Also selling directly off his stand was Kevin Horne, Managing Director of Renmar UK, whose three AEC gravimetric blenders were being taken straight from the NEC to UK manufacturer, Chess Plastics, in Droitwich.

“We’ve had a really good show – the footfall has been excellent and it’s the first time I’ve sold the machinery on display straight off the stand,” Horne told BP&R.

“We’ve invested a lot in our stand this year. Three years ago we couldn’t have justified the cost, as people were coming to look and not buy. Now, however, people are coming ready to purchase machinery and equipment, they are looking at the technology on the stand and asking about lead times and when we can deliver.”

Materials exhibitors were also full of positive news, with Plastribution’s Duncan Scott stating that the show had resulted in several new customer projects and lots of detailed enquiries.

“This is the best Interplas I’ve been to in years. People are here because they want to be,” commented Scott. “We’ve had constant enquiries from potential new customers. There is certainly more optimism about the industry now.”

Over at Resin Trade, the company said the public reaction to its new marketing campaign had been positive and pleasing, with the stand “constantly busy” with enquiries throughout the course of the show.

“We wanted a modern representation of an industry that itself is becoming more modern,” explained Alex Nunn, Marketing Manager at Resin Trade.

“We’ve been inundated with enquiries at the show that are for forward-thinking projects that are more focused on 10 years into the future than stuck 10 years in the past. We want to reflect that modernity with our branding and Interplas was the perfect place to introduce it.”

Manufacturer of antimicrobial and detectable solutions, SteriTouch, exhibited for the first time at Interplas in 2014 and says it is already looking forward to the next show.

“Interplas exceeded all of our expectations,” said Joanna Wilson of SteriTouch. “The atmosphere was great, and we were kept constantly busy with enquiries for the full three days, with interest from a real variety of companies with antimicrobial and detectable requirements for a broad list of applications, from food packaging to flooring.”

Finally, those providing services and consultancy also said interest was high. “We have nearly filled our enquiries book and have had loads of good leads,” said Alex Miles of the British Plastics Federation.

Over at BBE recruitment, Nigel Hyde said having not exhibited at the show since 1999, the company was “very impressed” with attendance and said they’d had a successful show.

PlastikCity was also feeling the buzz, stating that it felt its stand was “one of the busiest at the show,” and said that the numbers in attendance, as well as the high spirits of visitors, was “a clear indication of the positive state of our industry.”

Horsham-based manufacturer of injection-moulded products, Pentagon Plastics, said its first time exhibiting at Interplas had been "a great success."

“This was our first three-day event and it has provided us with valuable new contacts and an informal opportunity to welcome existing customers to the stand. It has also proved a real benefit to touch base with some of our own key suppliers gaining information on other services that they offer that may be of assistance to our own business going forward," said Managing Director, Paul Edwards.

“The busy and vibrant event was well attended and we look forward to exhibiting when it returns in three years time.’’