EuroBLECH 2026 Highlights Industry Resilience

With 1,000 exhibitors from 37 countries, EuroBLECH 2026 demonstrated the sheet metal working industry's continued commitment to technological development, bringing together machinery, specialist expertise and practical solutions to improve manufacturing performance. Held from 20th to the 23rd October at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany, EuroBLECH 2026 combined live machinery, technical demonstrations and specialist expertise across 135,000 m² of exhibition space.

From targeted process upgrades to connected production systems, exhibits addressed manufacturers’ requirements for greater productivity, flexibility and resource efficiency. With 69% of exhibitors coming from outside Germany, the event offered access to an international supplier base spanning the sheet metal working value chain. The 28th International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition attracted buyers and manufacturing decision-makers from around the world, welcoming 32,336 trade visitors from 110 countries. The exhibition continues to provide a meeting point for the international industry, with growth in visitor numbers from Finland, China, Ukraine, Canada, India and Portugal. Alongside established sheet metal working markets, the visitor audience included professionals from defence and security, IT, telecommunications and data centres, and energy and environmental sectors.

Practical solutions for a changing industry

Across the exhibition, technology suppliers demonstrated how advances in machinery, tooling, automation, software and process control can improve productivity, quality and resource efficiency. From cutting and forming to joining, surface treatment and digital production, the focus extended beyond individual machine performance to the efficiency of the wider manufacturing process. Alongside complete production systems and advanced automation, visitors could explore solutions for improving existing operations, reducing downtime, optimising material utilisation and increasing process reliability. Live demonstrations and direct discussions with technical experts provided opportunities to examine specific applications and compare different approaches.

“Despite the challenging market conditions, EuroBLECH 2026 has shown that technological development and the drive to improve production remain strong across our industry,” said Evelyn Warwick, Event Director for EuroBLECH on behalf of RX. “Manufacturing progress comes from investments of all sizes. Targeted improvements in tooling, automation or process control can make a significant difference to productivity and efficiency. Bringing these different approaches together, with machinery in operation and direct access to technical experts, is one of the real strengths of EuroBLECH.”

A new platform for industry discussion

EuroBLECH’s first fully curated conference programme extended this practical focus to the NextGen Technology Stage in Hall 27. Sessions examined how AI, automation and smart manufacturing are being applied in production, alongside energy efficiency, workforce development and the factors influencing technology purchasing. The programme connected strategic questions with the realities of implementation, complementing the machinery and systems on display. Procurement took centre stage at the BME Buyer Day on 22 October in the Convention Centre. Organised with Bundesverband Materialwirtschaft, Einkauf und Logistik (BME), the dedicated programme covered purchasing KPIs, supply chain management, steel market developments, economic security, CBAM and AI-supported product costing. It brought buyers’ priorities into the wider conversation about manufacturing performance and supplier selection.

Recognising technical excellence

Presented in partnership with blechnet and MM MaschinenMarkt, the EuroBLECH Awards recognised innovation across six categories. The 2026 winners were:

• Advanced Manufacturing Software & AI: LVD Company NV, Cadman Suite 9
• Automation & Smart Factory: Trumpf, Autonomy for sheet metal fabrication
• Sustainable & Resource-Efficient Production: SafanDarley — Peak Shaving E-Brake
• Cutting Technologies: Trumpf, TruLaser Series 5000
• Forming Technologies & Tooling: Amada, EGB-6020ATCe
• Joining, Surface Treatment & Quality Control: Q-Fin Quality Finishing Solutions, SER Ultimate Qombination

Looking ahead to EuroBLECH 2028

The next EuroBLECH, the 29th International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, will take place from  October 24 through 27, 2028, at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany. Building on the 2026 edition, EuroBLECH will continue to bring together the international sheet metal working industry, with a focus on the technologies, specialist expertise and production solutions that reflect the sector's evolving requirements.

(Source: RX)