Equipment

Next year's PPMA show will include events to celebrate the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association's 21st anniversary, chief executive Chris Buxton said yesterday.

The show, which takes place at the NEC from 23-25 September 2008, will feature a celebration dinner, and the PPMA hopes to have Sir Digby Jones, former director general of the Confederation of British Industry, as guest speaker.

Buxton said he was pleased with Total 2007 so far. “Because the show market is not booming, we were cautious, but it’s been a success.”

He said the fall in visitor numbers from Total 2004 reflected the consolidation in the processing and packaging sectors and the health of UK manufacturing.

He said PPMA was talking to the NEC about extra charges facing visitors to the venue, such as for parking.