From Leeds to Coventry: 2 busy days at the Engineering Design Show
Our first year at the Engineering Design Show brought two busy days of conversations with engineers, designers and buyers from across UK manufacturing.
By Dr Mohammad Musameh, BEng (Hons), PhD, FHEA, MIET, founder of MGS Components. Mohammad has a background in electrical and electronic engineering and over a decade of experience across engineering, product development and international sourcing.
In brief
We exhibited at the Engineering Design Show (EDS) for the first time this year, spending 7 and 8 October on Stand H23 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Over the two days, we met engineers, designers and buyers from across UK manufacturing. Some came to talk about exciting new projects. Others brought a tricky sourcing problem they wanted help with.
The show's three theatres hosted more than 50 talks and workshops, with speakers from Formula 1, Airbus, Lotus and Rolls-Royce. If you missed us, you can still send a part number, spec or bill of materials (BOM) for a no-obligation quote.
A first show, and a busy one
It was our first year exhibiting, and what a show it was. Visitors stopped at the stand across both days, many with a project to talk through or a part they were struggling to find.
The organisers also featured our founder, Dr Mohammad Musameh, in their official round-up video of the show. It was a proud moment for us at our first EDS, and you can watch it below.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us, and to the EDS team for a well-run show. We enjoyed every conversation, and we’re looking forward to picking them up again over the coming weeks.
What talks were on at EDS 2026?
EDS 2026 ran more than 50 talks and workshops across three conference theatres, each focused on one area of design. Headline speakers came from Formula 1, Lola Cars, Lotus, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, with AI and the engineering skills gap among the big themes.
Highlights from the EDS 2026 conference programme included:
- Bob Bhatti of Formula 1 on leadership, net zero and the future of F1
- Mark Preston of Lola Cars on taking F1 precision into Formula E
- Alexia Williams MBE, speaking in a personal capacity, on inspiring the next generation of engineers in an AI era
- John Farn-Ramsay of Lotus Cars on how simulation and expert judgement shape the feel of a car
On the evening of day one, the Institution of Engineering Designers held its IED Engineering Design Awards at the arena, hosted by IED President Dr Lucy Rogers MBE FREng.
Obsolescence and availability on the agenda
Two sessions in the New Electronics Theatre looked at the problems we help manufacturers with most: parts going obsolete, and parts becoming hard to get.
- “When Design Meets Reality: Cost, Change & Obsolescence”, with Manu Grundy of IIOM UK, the obsolescence management body
- “Designing for Availability: Why Supply Chain Management Now Starts at the Engineer’s Desk”
That second title will sound familiar to many buyers. Choices made at the design stage, such as which parts to specify and whether alternatives are approved, shape how easy a product is to build and support for years.
This is where a sourcing partner can help. When a part becomes hard to get, we can:
- find remaining stock, or a form, fit and function replacement (a part that does the same job in the same space)
- check more than one supplier when lead times keep moving
- track down specialist and older parts
- give you a second, checked source, so one supplier can't hold up your build
See the range of components we source and the sectors we work with, or read our guide on what to do when a cable supplier is running late.
When is the next Engineering Design Show?
The next Engineering Design Show takes place on 15 and 16 September 2027 at the NEC in Birmingham, according to the Engineering Design Show official website, 2026. It moves from Coventry and comes about three weeks earlier in the year.
Spoke to us at the show, or missed us?
If we spoke at the show, look out for a message from us. If we missed you, send us a part number or specifications and we'll come back with pricing and lead times, as soon as we can. There's no commitment needed.
It helps to include quantities, when you need the parts and any approved alternatives. If we met in Coventry, mention EDS so we can pick up where we left off.
FAQs
When and where was the Engineering Design Show 2026?
The Engineering Design Show 2026 was held on 7 and 8 October 2026 at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry. It covered mechanical, electronic and embedded design, with more than 200 exhibitors.
Who spoke at the Engineering Design Show 2026?
Speakers at EDS 2026 included Bob Bhatti of Formula 1, Mark Preston of Lola Cars, Alexia Williams MBE and John Farn-Ramsay of Lotus Cars. More than 50 talks and workshops ran across three theatres covering mechanical, electronic and embedded design.
When is the Engineering Design Show 2027?
The Engineering Design Show 2027 is on 15 and 16 September 2027 at the NEC in Birmingham.
Which stand was MGS Components on at EDS 2026?
We were on Stand H23 at the Engineering Design Show 2026, for both days of the show. It was our first year exhibiting at EDS.
I missed you at EDS. Can I still get a quote?
Yes. Send us a part number, spec or bill of materials through our contact page. We'll come back with pricing and lead times, with no commitment needed.
What does MGS Components source?
We source electrical, electronic, electromechanical and mechanical components for manufacturers in the UK and Northern Ireland, from standard parts to specialist and hard-to-find items.
Sources
Need a custom quote or specific specs?
Send us an enquiry or your component specs. We aim to come back to you quickly with pricing and lead times.
Contact usTypical response less than 48 hours
