MANUFACTURING and engineering experts from across the globe are coming to Southampton.

Southampton Solent University will host the 12th annual International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR 2014), which provides a place for industry researchers to network.

It will feature speeches by world-famous experts and researchers including Professor of optoelectronics at the University of Southampton Sir David N Payne CBE FRS FREng, managing director of Siemens infrastructure and cities Gordon Wakeford, chairman of the British Automation and Robotics Association Mike Wilson, and director of boat development at Sunseeker International Ltd Graham Lodge.

The UK is currently the 11th largest manufacturing nation in the world. The industry, which contributes £6.7 trillion to the global economy, keeps 2.6 million people in work in the UK.

The conference runs from September 9-11 at Southampton Solent University’s conference centre.