530 exhibitors from 30 countries presenting their latest innovative products and services – CastForge providing the perfect platform for networking, industry expertiseThree months before the event is set to start and CastForge 2026 is already fully booked out. There will be around 530 international exhibitors coming to Messe Stuttgart from 9 to 11 June 2026, ready to present everything this industry has to offer – from cast and forged parts to assembly-ready components and processing techniques. CastForge is sending a clear message and confirming its position as an established industry platform, in what are currently economically challenging times.CastForge provides a unique overview of the market, with a programme perfectly designed to coordinate supply and demand. Exhibitors present their products and services to a highly qualified industry audience comprising designers, developers and decision-makers from mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, industry and energy technology. This is where innovative solutions meet concrete project enquiries, resulting in valuable connections with real business potential. The trade fair provides visitors with information about the latest industry developments, the chance to explore tomorrow’s technological trends, as well as directly engage with leading players on the European casting and forging scene.Major international appeal and European focusTwo thirds of the exhibiting companies are coming from Germany and elsewhere in Europe, such as the French association “Village Forge & Fonderie”, which represents around twenty foundries and forges. Wilfrid Boyault, Managing Director of the Fédération Forge Fonderie, explains: “The joint presence in the French “Village Forge & Fonderie” is sending a strong and clear message to the European and broader global market. It is showcasing the key strengths of our companies – industry capacity, technical excellence, quality, innovation and competitiveness.”The Italian foundry and forging industry is also well represented: trade association UNISA will be taking part with around 25 companies, eleven of which will be at the joint stand. Andrea Redaelli, President of UNISA, emphasises: “CastForge 2026 provides a concrete opportunity for our members to develop new business strengthen their own visibility and engage in professional networking. Altogether, there will be around 70 Italian companies represented – a significant contribution from Italy within the sector on a European stage.”Portugal will be represented for the second time by a strong group of METAL PORTUGAL companies specialising in a variety of areas covering casting, forging and metal processing. Mafalda Gramaxo, General Director, explains: “CastForge has established itself as one of the most relevant European trade fairs for the casting and forging industry. For the Portuguese companies, it provides a valuable opportunity to directly connect with highly qualified buyers and to strengthen our international presence.”Growth, internationality and innovative strengthCastForge 2026 stands for growth, internationality and innovative strength. Despite a challenging economic climate, the professionals are looking forward to what is now an established industry event and the opportunity to explore new business opportunities and concrete projects.Hub for high achievers: Direct access to industry expertsCastForge 2026 will be providing trade visitors with unique opportunities, such as direct access to national and international exhibitors from 30 countries and the chance to benefit from their extensive expertise. The trade fair not only provides a comprehensive market overview, but also specific information about the latest market trends and technological developments in casting and forging. Technical presentations, networking events and expert talks create the ideal platform for a comprehensive exchange of information, transfer of knowledge and initiation of new projects. Resulting in top-quality connections and new business opportunities that go far beyond the actual trade fair visit.Despite this year’s record number of exhibitors, CastForge remains a trade fair of accessible scale. Halls 8 and 10 are located directly at Entrance West, only a train stop away from Stuttgart Airport. This international airport offers a number of direct connections which operate daily to all key European cities, enabling CastForge visitors to make the most of this business opportunity – and often involving just one day of travel.Ticket sales and new Make-to-Order Days event.Tickets are now available to purchase and also grant visitors access to the new “Make-to-Order Days” event, the trade fair for buyers of precision parts, custom manufacturing and machining, on 9 and 10 June 2026 in Hall 9. Buyers involved in precision parts and machining are set to benefit twofold from just one ticket to CastForge!
A strategic area for the sectors represented by Anima Confindustria, which saw a growth of 7.0% in the first half of 2025 towards the Gulf countries The ongoing geopolitical tension in the Persian Gulf will severely impact market stability and trade in a region that has seen steady growth in exports of Italian mechanical engineering, represented by Anima Confindustria, since 2024 . Recent data from Anima's Statistics Office show a 7.0% increase in exports to the Persian Gulf in the first half of 2025 —reaching a total value of €1.44 billion —compared to exports in the second half of 2024. In particular, the turbines, valves and fittings, cargo handling, and hydraulic pumps sectors recorded large export volumes to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar . This positive trend underscores the importance of maintaining trade ties with the Gulf countries, which have established themselves over the years as strategic partners for Italian mechanical engineering on the global stage. Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria, commented: We sincerely hope that the current situation will be resolved quickly. We are particularly concerned about the Italian mechanical engineering sector, which exports approximately 60% of its products and possesses the capacity to compete internationally. The Gulf countries represent a valid alternative in the market diversification strategy, especially in light of the current challenges posed by US tariffs. Furthermore, let's not forget the issues related to freight and maritime transport, which are already impacting exports and energy costs for our companies. These dynamics make the ratification of the Mercosur-EU treaty even more important, to open up new development and cooperation opportunities for Italian and European industry.
AMONG THE NEW FEATURES OF THIS EDITION: FORUM ON AEROSPACE & DEFENSE AND ON ENERGY BI-MU FUTURETECH AWARDS Seven months after its debut, 35.BI-MU, scheduled at fieramilano Rho from 13 to 16 October , is entering the heart of its organizational activity and is doing so at a time when government authorities are preparing to present the implementing decrees for hyper-depreciation , the measure that will give a major boost to the Italian market for machinery and production technologies between now and 2028. The three-year incentive will significantly boost domestic demand—which has so far been on hold—offering BI-MU exhibitors a truly unique opportunity to tap into and capitalize on users' willingness to invest in new systems. Registration continues apace, with new attendees confirmed and key players returning. The staff is also busy finalizing all the accompanying initiatives for the event, which is changing its positioning on the weekly calendar. For the first time, BI-MU will open on Tuesday and conclude on Friday . Four days, but all weekdays, as is now the case for most exclusively B2B events. Promoted by UCIMU and organized by EFIM – ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE, for this 35th edition, BI-MU has chosen the slogan "Where it all begins," to emphasize, on the one hand, the central role of machine tools, enabling the majority of manufacturing and the heart of the exhibition, and, on the other, the long and unwavering tradition of this exhibition. 35 editions, in fact, represent 70 years of uninterrupted organizational activity . At 35.BI-MU, in addition to machinery, seven technological themes will be given particular prominence: RobotHeart, dedicated to robotics, automation, components, systems, and artificial intelligence, sponsored by SIRI; AMITALY, dedicated to the entire additive manufacturing supply chain, sponsored by AITA; BI-MU Digital, digital solutions for the smart factory, with advanced software, connectivity and data security technologies, sensors, and self-adaptive systems; Metrology and Testing , which offers measuring instruments, testing machines, and artificial vision; Power4Machines, dedicated to components for mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic transmission, sponsored by FEDERTEC; Heat and surface treatments , systems and equipment for improving material performance; and, new to this edition, Tool Tech, dedicated to advanced tools for efficient, high-precision production. The exhibition will be completed by an overview of Revamping & Retrofitting , presenting a selection of machines and systems appropriately regenerated and enhanced to meet the needs of the second-life market, complementary to the "new" market. Alongside the exhibition, as is tradition, there will be the BI-MUpiù arena with a packed schedule of thematic cultural meetings curated by organizers, exhibitors, and industry experts. Special focus will be on some of the most dynamic user sectors for investment and innovation development, such as Aerospace & Defense and Energy, which will be hosted in the arena on October 14th and 15th. With these 90-minute forums, BI-MU broadens its horizons, offering industry professionals attending the fair, through the voices of some of the key players in these sectors, a detailed discussion of the most interesting business opportunities for exhibitors. For young people, the Education & Job project is confirmed, which will have as its flagship ROBOTGAMES , the automation and robotics competition dedicated to secondary school students, now in its second edition. Another new feature of this edition will be the BI-MU FUTURETECH AWARDS , a prize that celebrates the most innovative manufacturing solutions presented at the fair. The competition is open to exhibitors at 35.BI-MU, who will compete in three categories: mechanical innovation, digitalization, and sustainability. This initiative highlights the event's value as a platform for documenting and anticipating technological advancements in industrial manufacturing. The lead-up events dedicated to the event continue, the next two appointments are: Wednesday 22 April, at the headquarters of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, “ Industrial service robots and humanoids: an increasingly blurred boundary ” will take place, organised by SIRI, in collaboration with 35.BI-MU and FONDAZIONE UCIMU, and, on Thursday 18 June, at Kilometro Rosso in Bergamo, the “ Innovative Robotics Forum ” will be held, sponsored by 35.BI-MU, organised by Tecnologie Meccaniche and Tecnolamiera with the patronage of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE. The meeting is dedicated to new developments in process robotics and its applications. Other events dedicated to other key sectors of the event are being planned in the coming months.
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