JJ Smith’s ‘The Future of Woodworking’ show returns

Manufacturers looking to increase productivity, address labour shortages and future-proof their operations are invited to discover the latest advances in automation at JJ Smith’s ‘The Future of Woodworking’ show on 15 and 16 September 2026.

The two-day open event will feature live demonstrations of machinery, robotic applications and intelligent manufacturing solutions designed to help businesses improve efficiency, consistency and production capacity across a wide range of woodworking sectors.

A major highlight of this year’s event will reportedly be the latest automation solutions for pallet manufacturers.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see the JJ Smith Robotic Pallet Building System operating live, demonstrating how automation can streamline pallet assembly, reduce manual handling and increase production efficiency.

Alongside this, the Delta high-production pallet nailing system will showcase how manufacturers can achieve fast, reliable and consistent pallet assembly for high-volume production environments.

Together, these solutions demonstrate how automation is helping pallet manufacturers overcome labour challenges while increasing throughput and maintaining product quality.

Another exciting addition to this year’s event is said to be the launch of the new Stromab MV520, an affordable automatic 5-axis crosscutting solution designed to bring advanced cutting technology within reach of more manufacturers.

Available in both manual loading and automatic loading/unloading configurations, the MV520 combines a compact footprint with impressive cutting flexibility.

Featuring a 520mm blade, 5-axis cutting capacity up to 300 x 90mm, 360° blade rotation, and ±90° blade tilt, the machine is capable of producing straight cuts, mitres, compound mitres and scarf joints with exceptional precision.

Offering advanced functionality without the size or cost typically associated with larger systems, the MV520 is an ideal solution for manufacturers looking to automate complex cutting operations.

Visitors from the door and frame manufacturing sector will also be able to experience a complete automated production workflow.

The Essepigi Doormatic, a high-speed through-feed CNC machining centre, will be demonstrated alongside advanced automated handling solutions from Neomec and Duivestein.

Together, these technologies showcase how loading, unloading, machining and stacking can be seamlessly integrated to reduce manual handling, improve consistency and significantly increase production throughput.

The event will also feature a range of additional automation technologies, including robotic sanding systems, robotic loading and unloading applications, panel processing machinery and other intelligent manufacturing solutions, providing visitors with practical examples of how automation can be applied across the entire production process.

Complementing the live demonstrations will be a programme of keynote presentations from some of the UK’s leading automation specialists.

Speakers from organisations including Innovate UK, Made Smarter, Yaskawa UK, and Archwood Group, will discuss robotics adoption, artificial intelligence, machine vision, funding opportunities, workforce challenges and practical strategies for successfully implementing automation.

Whether you’re exploring automation for the first time or looking to expand your existing manufacturing capabilities, ‘The Future of Woodworking’ is said to offer a unique opportunity to see the latest technologies in action, hear from industry experts and discover how automation is shaping the future of woodworking manufacturing.

Attendance is free, with registration now open for manufacturers across the woodworking industry.

Scan the QR code to find out more and register your place, or visit JJ Smith’s website at: www.jjsmith.co.uk