The UK’s packaging industry is facing a pivotal moment, one shaped by rising costs, sustainability imperatives, labour shortages, and a sharp focus on automation and resilience. But while these issues are being tackled across the country, the ability to access the latest thinking, suppliers, and innovation often depends on one thing: geography.
The North of England - home to some of the UK’s most dynamic manufacturing, processing, and logistics sectors - has long lacked a dedicated packaging event tailored to its needs. The launch of UKPackaging Expo, taking place at Manchester Central on 3rd – 4th September 2025, seeks to change that.
A Northern powerhouse of packaging
From packaging converters in Yorkshire and Lancashire to logistics hubs in the North-West and advanced manufacturing sites in Cheshire and the North-East, the North boasts a packaging supply chain that is as broad as it is specialised. Major brands in food, drink, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors all call this region home.
And yet, the packaging industry’s biggest trade shows have typically been located in the Midlands or South-East, putting the latest technologies, services, and suppliers out of convenient reach for thousands of northern-based businesses.
This disconnect has real consequences. Businesses unable to justify the time or cost of attending events elsewhere are missing valuable opportunities to meet suppliers, source innovation, and benchmark progress in areas like recyclability, compliance, digitalisation, and automation.
A smarter approach to trade events
UKPackaging Expo was created with this imbalance in mind. It is designed to be an accessible, highly targeted event that caters specifically to professionals and businesses operating across the North’s packaging ecosystem.
Exhibitors will span primary and secondary packaging, machinery, automation, materials, software, labelling, design, and sustainability services. Visitors will include packaging technologists, operations managers, procurement leads, brand owners, engineers, and product developers from sectors such as FMCG, retail, manufacturing, and logistics.
Most importantly, the event is regionally relevant. It will allow northern-based teams to attend without significant travel or downtime - and create opportunities for businesses to connect with both local suppliers and national players.
Supporting the Levelling Up Agenda
While the Government’s Levelling Up strategy is often debated in political circles, the business case for decentralising opportunity is clear. Regional trade shows play an important role in economic stimulation - driving local innovation, supporting SME growth, and enabling knowledge exchange without barriers.
UKPackaging Expo supports this vision, aligning with wider goals to make the North an engine of sustainable, high-value manufacturing. With the packaging industry a key enabler of economic activity - from protecting goods to enhancing supply chain efficiency - investing in regional infrastructure like trade events is a step in the right direction.
What to expect in 2025
Held in Manchester, the heart of the North West’s business and transport network, the event will feature:
- Over 70 exhibitors showcasing the latest in packaging materials, technologies, and equipment
- A free-to-attend seminar programme focused on sustainability, smart packaging, automation, and legislation
- Live demonstrations and new product launches
- Networking lounges and innovation zones to encourage peer-to-peer connection
Backed by leading industry voices and supported by a growing number of trade associations, the UKPackaging Expo is already gaining traction with suppliers and buyers alike.
In summary
The packaging industry is evolving rapidly - but to meet future challenges, innovation must be made accessible across the UK, not just in traditional event hotspots. UKPackaging Expo aims to bridge this gap by offering a regionally focused, nationally significant event that brings packaging professionals together, closer to home.
For more information or to register interest, visit www.ukpackagingexpo.co.uk.