Restoring the competitive edge with innovations

Dec 26, 2024

EMO, one of the world's leading trade fairs, showcases innovative technologies in new fields of application

The mood in the manufacturing sector could be better. A weak global industrial economy, geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts as well as structural challenges are increasingly weighing on European industrial goods manufacturers. It's no wonder that Germany, as the third largest mechanical engineering nation in the world, is also severely affected. Overall sluggish demand and the slowdown in China are weighing on this export-intensive sector in Germany.

The cautious economic expectations are also reflected in the latest figures from the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association): Incoming orders for German manufacturers fell by 23% in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period last year. "The current order situation remains difficult," explains Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of the VDW. "The news from the automotive industry is a cause for concern." It remains one of our most important customers. However, the German machine tool industry supplied around 27 percent of its production to the automotive and automotive supplier industry last year, which is 16 percent less than four years previously. According to the VDW, the transformation to vehicles with electric drive will result in significantly less investment in machining technology.

Focus on new customer sectors – EMO provides the ideal platform
At the same time, other customer target groups are increasingly coming into the focus of machine tool manufacturers. With a share of around 30 percent, mechanical engineering is now the most important customer sector for the first time. This includes companies from the tool and mold making industry, the machine tool industry itself and manufacturers of agricultural machinery and components such as hydraulics and pneumatics, as well as drive technology. In addition, aerospace, electrical engineering and metal production are becoming increasingly important sectors for machine tool manufacturers. The proportion of business coming from rail vehicle construction, energy technology, precision engineering and medical technology has also continued to rise.

As the world's leading trade fair for production technology, EMO is the perfect platform for suppliers of metalworking solutions that cater to these customers. From September 22 to 26, 2025, the "Showcase of Innovations" will not only look back on 50 years of success. With its three focus topics of automation, digitalization and sustainability, EMO provides a dedicated look at the production of tomorrow. Applications for a very wide range of manufacturing technologies in numerous industries will attract interested visitors from all over the world to Hannover. Exhibitor interest in the upcoming anniversary fair is already high. Over 1200 companies had already registered by the provisional registration deadline at the beginning of December. For the organizer VDW, this is a clear signal that the EMO trade fair – as in the past – is a model for success even in times of crisis.

This is confirmed by Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, CEO of the Heller Group, headquartered in Nürtingen: "For decades, it has been an indispensable place of inspiration and exchange for us – a real milestone for our industry." EMO connects people, ideas and technologies in a unique way. It allows us to strengthen long-standing partnerships and establish new contacts. "This is where we meet specialists from all over the world to talk about groundbreaking innovations, current challenges and the trends of tomorrow," emphasizes Schmidt. "We are particularly excited about the opportunity to present our latest developments to an international audience and to play an active role in shaping the future of production technology."

Source : EMO Press Release/