Workshop Sessions: Manufacturing 101
Are you an innovator, entrepreneur, or designer looking to take your product ideas from concept to reality? Take part in a hands-on Manufacturing 101 workshop to learn how products are made at scale and how you can work with factories and suppliers to turn your prototype into production.
This session is hosted by Jim Reeves, an experienced product developer who supports early-stage innovators to move from prototype to production.
Applications close on Friday 23rd January 2026
About this session
Through expert led workshops at Plus X Innovation Slough, participants learn how to turn ideas into tangible products, build confidence with tools and processes, and understand the steps involved in taking a concept through to production.
- Introduction to common manufacturing processes in metals, wood, plastics
- How to move from prototyping to final production of physical products
- How to think about manufacturing when you’re doing your early idea development
- How to choose a manufacturing process or material
- Making sustainable choices
- Thinking about costs
- Working with factories.
Why Attend
Workshop Sessions is a practical skills programme designed to help early-stage innovators and makers gain hands on experience in manufacturing, product development and prototyping.
- Hear from experts in product prototyping and manufacture.
- Get one-to-one advice about your manufacturing questions and challenges.
- Meet and learn from peers on their own product development journey.
- See the world-class product prototyping facilities at Plus X Innovation Slough.
- Learn about common manufacturing processes, which ones might be most suitable for your product, and how the constraints and benefits effect you.
- Learn how to find and make deals with factories.
- Learn what manufacturers need to know from you, how to negotiate and get the best result.
- Learn more about things are made at scale, to help inform your product development.
Why Plus X Innovation?
For more infomation visit Mayor of London and GOV.
The people I have met here make it a dream coming in a few times a week! I don't see myself being able to go back to working from home the same way I did before coming to Plus X Innovation, I don't think I could leave the sense of community behind. It really is something everyone who is working from home should try!
Central Research Laboratory has contributed to our journey in many ways: access to a network, manufacturing, procurement services, and workshop facilities. CRL enables us to feel like a slightly bigger company than we would otherwise be if left to our own devices. Being here at CRL as a cohort member, makes it feel a lot more real and plugged in into the ecosystem.
Besides the workshop facilities, the best thing about working in the Brighton hub has got to be being able to collaborate with people in the same building as you. The variety of expertise and experience in the building is awesome.
We could not be in a better place to grow as a company. We get amazing support from the Plus X Innovation staff, plus collaboration opportunities with the other inspiring residents and companies. We feel like we’re living in the future of workplaces in the present and that is pretty damn cool.
Through my time at Plus X Innovation my business has turned from a student project into a registered R&D company. My favourite thing about being at Plus X Brighton is having a mini family in the office and a beautiful space to be the best you and make the best connections.
Session Facilitator
Jim Reeves is a Product Development Director, bringing over 15 years of design consultancy experience. Partnering closely with founders to provide insights and guidance on design, prototyping, and scaling products for manufacture.
About the series
Workshop Sessions are free, high value training programmes developed and delivered by Plus X Innovation. It provides participants with practical, accessible learning across three core areas: CAD modelling, manufacturing fundamentals, and optimising Kickstarter campaigns. Each session blends expert instruction, guided exercises and one to one support, giving participants both the skills and clarity needed to progress their ideas. The programme aims to demystify manufacturing, build technical confidence, provide access to cutting-edge prototyping facilities, and connect participants with a supportive community of peers and product development specialists.
Check our our two other sessions here:
- Workshop Sessions: Introduction to Solidworks CAD Software
- Workshop Sessions: Kickstart Batch Production
Eligibility
The programme is suited to individuals at an early stage of developing a physical product. Participants should have an idea they want to progress, but do not need a completed prototype or prior experience in CAD, manufacturing or product development. Sessions take place at Plus X Innovation Slough, so participants must be able to attend onsite.
Applications close on Friday 23rd January 2026.
