IFE Manufacturing returns to Excel London from 30 March to 01 April 2026 as part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, offering food and drink manufacturers a focused opportunity to explore the processing and packaging technologies shaping modern production environments.
Designed for manufacturers, processors and brand owners operating at scale, IFE Manufacturing brings together equipment suppliers, packaging specialists and service providers addressing the practical challenges of efficiency, compliance, product integrity and throughput. For visitors working across factory operations, engineering and technical roles, the show provides a concentrated view of solutions already being deployed across UK production sites.
Processing and packaging form a core strand of the exhibition, with UK exhibitors spanning machinery, materials, line integration and operational support. On the processing side, companies such as Kecol Pumping Systems Ltd and WAVE Engineering represent specialist expertise in handling, flow control and engineered solutions designed for food and drink manufacturing environments. SORMAC adds further depth to the processing offer, reflecting continued investment in preparation and handling technologies across fresh and processed food categories.
Packaging remains a major focus for manufacturers balancing performance, protection and sustainability. UK-based suppliers including Croxsons, Magnum Packaging (N.E) Ltd, Packaging Mode, Preema International, UFP and VPac Packaging Leicester Limited showcase a broad range of packaging formats and materials serving food and beverage applications. Their presence highlights the ongoing importance of packaging design, functionality and supply resilience as producers respond to changing retailer requirements and consumer expectations.
Supporting this, Labelnet brings a labelling and identification perspective, while Graphic Controls demonstrates technologies supporting monitoring, control and traceability within packaging and production environments. Together, these exhibitors underline the increasingly interconnected nature of packaging, quality control and data management on the factory floor.
Beyond equipment and materials, IFE Manufacturing also reflects the growing role of operational systems and environmental control within processing and packaging operations. Munters, exhibiting from the UK, highlights the importance of precise humidity, temperature and air quality management in protecting product quality, improving shelf life and maintaining stable production conditions across food manufacturing facilities.
Design and branding considerations are also represented, with Threesixty Design bringing a packaging-led design perspective that bridges compliance, functionality and shelf impact.
These UK exhibitors sit within a wider IFE Manufacturing showcase covering processing technology, packaging, ingredients, manufacturing services and automation. The show’s layout and categorisation are designed to help visitors quickly identify relevant suppliers, whether they are upgrading individual lines, rethinking packaging formats or planning longer-term capital investment.
Alongside the exhibition, IFE Manufacturing hosts the Trends & Innovation Platform, delivering insight-led sessions drawn from established industry research. Content is based on Mintel’s 2026 Food & Drink Predictions, the Soil Association’s 2026 Organic Market Report and FMCG Gurus’ Consumer Trends 2026, providing manufacturers with a data-backed view of the commercial, consumer and regulatory factors influencing future product development and production strategies.
In addition, day one of the show will feature a series of sessions curated by the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) and Campden BRI, offering further technical and scientific context relevant to processing, safety and manufacturing best practice.
Taking place alongside IFE, HRC, The Pub Show, Hospitality Tech360 and International Salon Culinaire, IFE Manufacturing benefits from its position within Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, giving visitors access to a broad cross-section of the industry across both halls.
For processors and packaging professionals seeking practical solutions, technical insight and credible UK suppliers, IFE Manufacturing 2026 provides a focused platform to explore the technologies shaping the next phase of food and drink production.
Find out more about everything happening at IFE Manufacturing 2026, and register for your free trade ticket, at ifemanufacturing.co.uk.
Innovations in Food (& Beverage) Processing & Packaging is a bi-monthly magazine distributed globally in Digital format. www.innovationsfood.com. Twitter: @Innovfoodtech. Instagram: @innovationsinfoodtechnology. Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/terry-prior52
