Finaids (Finishing Aids and Tools) modular exhibition stand case study at MACH 2026

Finaids (Finishing Aids and Tools) returned to Motive Exhibitions for MACH 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, upgrading to a larger 8x8m modular exhibition stand with custom elements and achieving 30% more leads than their previous MACH show. The stand was designed around the layout and the client’s priority machinery, solving installation challenges on site to deliver a busy, welcoming stand that drew in visitors from the keynote area.

Finaids came back to MACH with a bigger stand

Finishing Aids and Tools Ltd (Finaids) exhibited at MACH 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham – the UK’s premier manufacturing technologies show, held biennially and attended by over 26,000 engineers, buyers, and decision-makers. It was their second MACH show with us, and this time they came back with more space, more machinery, and a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve.

A returning client with a big ideas

We built Finaids’ stand at MACH 2024 – a slightly smaller island stand. For MACH 2026 at NEC, Birmingham, the brief evolved. The stand would have a back wall, and when Rhod was offered a larger space – though it backed onto another exhibitor – he took it. The priority was machinery first. Everything else – layout, traffic flow, TV placement, storage – would be planned around the kit.

Machinery, traffic flow, and a TV challenge

Finaids Managing Director, Rhod Howcroft, came to us with a priority list of machines. The goal was to get the right machinery on the stand without cluttering the space, and to place each piece so visitors would move around it naturally. The welding cabin was positioned so it wouldn’t block the stand or the walkway when people stopped to watch – and people did stop. It was visible from every angle, even at pace.

One machine had to be repositioned during the build – the machinery was larger than expected and weighed eight tonnes. The logistics team moved it, and the final layout circulated traffic exactly as intended.

Getting a TV screen onto a stand full of heavy machinery isn’t straightforward. The screen needed to sit high enough to be visible above the kit – higher than we would usually go. The fitting team nailed the installation, and the result was something engaging for visitors approaching from any of the gangways, with the most eye-catching statement pieces of machinery visible as they walked past.

A busy exhibition stand from day one

The stand was almost entirely modular, with custom elements including signage. The backlit lights – a more premium touch at the front of the stand – were reused from the MACH 2024 stand and originally made by our sister company Motive Graphics.

We added a counter top and surround, with a trim that hid the wires and the back of the machine for a cleaner finish. Built-in storage behind the stand included space for a fridge, with power feeds linked to the machinery. The stand was busy across all five days with enough staff to be helpful without being overwhelming, coffee and cold drinks on offer, and the welding cabin and machinery pulling people in from every direction.

Finaids Managing Director, Rhod, saw a 30% increase in leads and higher lead quality compared to MACH 2024.

“Factoring large machinery into an exhibition stand design always has its challenges. We need to double and triple check we’re giving the machinery safe working space and the sales team room to work and show off the kit.”
Dave Hennessy, Managing Director, Motive Exhibitions

What we delivered:

• Exhibition stand design
• Stand manufacture
• Heavy on-stand machinery
• Demo booth
• Coffee station
• Custom signage
• Large TV screen
• Installation
• Dismantle
• Storage
• Logistics
• Project management

Ready to create your own showstopper?

Get in touch with us today  and let’s talk through your next show. Whether you’re exhibiting for the first time or coming back with bigger ambitions like Finaids at MACH, we know how to get the most out of your space, your machinery and your budget.