Press Event Previews EMO 2025

To help promote the 50th anniversary of the EMO trade show, which takes place Sept. 22–26 in Hanover, Germany, show organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association) held the EMO 2025 Preview July 10–11 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Trade journalists from 28 countries attended the event, which featured 90-second “elevator pitches” from 26 EMO exhibitors, an interview with VDW Executive Director Dr. Markus Heering, a panel discussion about artificial intelligence, and a presentation by Jayson Myers, CEO of NGen (Next Generation Manufacturing Canada) in Hamilton, Ontario, about Alliance Country Canada @EMO2025 during the first day.

During their pitches, exhibitors described what visitors can expect to see at their EMO stands, with many promoting new machines and features, cutting tools, automation, and quick-change systems. The September trade show will have more than 1,500 exhibitors from about 40 countries, according to VDW, which is based in Frankfurt am Main.

Heering said EMO, which was first held in Paris in 1975, focuses on new ideas and business models for the international machining market. “The products and services on offer from the EMO exhibitors form the basis for the all-round modernization of the industry. After three years of recession and a major investment slowdown, at least here in Germany, the exhibitors are offering plenty of impetus for investment in production with new developments and new solutions so that our customers can head well-equipped into the future. We are getting a first look at this at the EMO Preview here in Frankfurt.”

In response to this journalist’s question about the association’s use of social media influencers to promote machining to their young followers, Heering said VDW is working with some of them as communication platforms continue to change. “Influencers are a part of that.”

The panel discussion, “Perspectives on artificial intelligence in production: How will we surprise our customers in the next five years?” featured Sebastian Heinz, founder and CEO of statworxs in Frankfurt am Main, a consulting company for data and AI, and Prof. Michael Zäh, chair of machine tools and manufacturing technology at the Technical University of Munich. Heinz said he feels that the biggest advantage of AI is that it can increase the speed of innovation and generate new ideas.

Realizing that AI makes mistakes, Zäh noted that recognizing this is a skill that is urgently needed and must be trained. Concurring with Heinz that there is no alternative to AI in the future, he said, “Not using AI is not an option. Others are already using AI and those who don’t are losing out.”

The trade show will include the AI Hub @EMO2025, which is intended to provide answers and further material for discussion around the use of AI in production.

Canada is the partner country for EMO 2025, and NGen is organizing the joint stand of the Canadian industry at the show with 15 to 20 exhibitors. NGen is a not-for-profit Canadian industry organization dedicated to promoting world-leading advanced manufacturing solutions, according to Myers. The network represents around 11,000 members, including manufacturers, technology providers, universities, and research institutions from across Canada, and initiates cooperation projects.

In response to the challenges companies in Canada are facing as a result of the “unruly” country to its south, he said Canadian companies are looking for new partners and customers and sees EMO playing a role. “It can’t be business as usual.”

The event’s second day featured a visit to the ETA factory, located on the Lichtwiese campus of the Technical University of Darmstadt. The main objective of the work in the ETA factory, which is considered a living lab, is to increase efficiency in manufacturing processes by testing innovative production solutions in combination with innovative energy technologies.

With a show motto of Innovate Manufacturing, Heering stated: “As EMO organizers, we are making every effort to present the crucial factors that will ensure progress at the trade fair, so that we remain at the cutting edge together with our exhibitors and visitors.”