Plastics event to move out of Telford
A major plastics conference which takes place in Telford each year is to move to Manchester in 2017, organisers have announced.
Bosses from the PDM Event, which was launched in Telford in 2005 and was held at the International Centre last week, say they expect to return to the town in the future, but are heading for the North West for next year's event.
The event attracts thousands of people to Telford, and is focused on the plastics industry. A number of local companies involved in the plastics industry exhibit at the conference.
"PDM Event will be held in Manchester in 2017, placing the show in the heart of the Northern Manufacturing Hub," said PDM sales director Matt Barber.
"As organisers we are always looking at ways to evolve the PDM Event to deliver a new audience for our exhibitors and a new experience for our visitors."
He added: "The event will no doubt return to Telford in the future. With over 100 polymer-related companies, it was the natural home for our debut show in 2005 and has played a key role in establishing our strong and loyal visitor base over the years."
Last week's event featured a number of Shropshire-based exhibitors, reflecting the importance of the plastics industry to the local economy.
Halesfield-based Proto Labs, Sprint Tool and Die on Stafford Park, and Stäubli from Hadley Park were all represented at the conference, demonstrating their capabilities, as was Telford College of Arts & Technology.
Visitors also the chance to find out about the courses and training available from the Polymer Training & Innovation Centre in Telford, and talk to RAPRA (Rubber and Plastics Research Association) – a non-profit membership association based at the University of Wolverhampton.
The event saw the publication of a list of the most influential people in the plastics industry, which included Dave Allen, the purchasing director at JLR.
