Spotlight on precision: New trade fair "Make-to-Order Days" will première in Stuttgart in 2026Make-to-Order Days (MTO Days), a new trade fair format for precision parts, contract manufacturing and machining, will make its début at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Center on 9 and 10 June 2026. A key industrial sector, which has been confronted with enormous pressure for innovation and adaptation for many years, will then have its own procurement fair for the first time.The new buyers' trade fair is specifically aimed at decision-makers and buyers from future-oriented key industries – from traditional mechanical engineering and automotive technology through to defence, robotics and renewable energies. The focal point will be contract-based precision manufacturing whose importance for global value-added chains is growing continuously. "Technological changes, geopolitical challenges and the transformation of entire branches of industry are posing great challenges to many manufacturing companies. With Make-to-Order Days we are creating a platform which will react precisely to these changes – closely geared towards the needs of the industry and with a clear focus on the future," said Roland Bleinroth, President of Messe Stuttgart.Clear message from the machining sector: backbone of industry as the focal pointAccording to the Machining Technology Cluster, the distinct positioning is paramount. "As an important economic factor, we are permanently striving towards innovative developments, new economic spheres, additional business areas and future-oriented technologies. In our capacity as the partner of the new buyers' trade fair MTO Days in Stuttgart, we are offering our members ideal conditions and opportunities in this respect," emphasized Ingo Hell, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Machining Technology Cluster.The partner associations have also welcomed the new trade fair format. Werner Liebmann, Managing Director of the German Turned Parts Industry Association, emphasized: "Make-to-Order Days will give our industry an important platform. Contracted-based manufacturing is the backbone of a large number of key industries – and will attract the necessary attention and networking through this format.""Messe Stuttgart has been a reliable partner for our Association for many years – and the conditions for Make-to-Order Days are ideal, especially in the strong industrial area of Baden-Württemberg with its superb infrastructure. Contracted-based manufacturing has always been an important area of activity for toolmakers since their day-to-day business includes all competencies and high-end precision. We are therefore impressed by the trade fair concept: MTO Days provides an opportunity to present the offered services on a professional platform. We are pleased to act as a partner and will support this strong format with full conviction." Ralf Dürrwächter, Managing Director of the Association of German Tool and Mold MakersValue-added through synergies: three trade fairs to be held concurrentlyOne special advantage: Make-to-Order Days will be held concurrently with CastForge, International Trade Fair for Castings and Forgings with Processing, and The Battery Show Europe. This will produce valuable synergies for exhibitors and visitors alike. Especially in associated fields of technology in which precise manufacturing plays a key role, new points of contact and interdisciplinary discussion opportunities are being created.Clear structures for maximum visibilityMake-to-Order Days offers exhibitors a unique and clearly structured stand concept which is aimed specifically at efficient business initiation. Thanks to detailed service specifications with information about application areas, production processes, materials, certifications and batch sizes, potential customers can identify suitable suppliers beforehand and ideally prepare their attendance at the trade fair leading to precisely the right connections for sustainable business in addition to the welcome random trade fair contacts. Another highlight is the stand construction concept with all-inclusive packages: a uniform, modern design ensures equality and discretion among all exhibitors. Along with organizational support, service and communication measures are also integrated. Exhibitors can therefore concentrate on everything that really matters – business initiation with the right partners.Accompanying program with the emphasis on practiceIn addition to the traditional product exhibition, the new trade fair format focuses on knowledge transfer and networking. A technical forum will examine key topics in the areas of digitalisation, precision and manufacturing trends in a practical manner. The networking area and separate meeting rooms will provide ideal conditions for personal discussions, confidential negotiations and business transactions.Registration is now possibleExhibitors can now register for Make-to-Order Days 2026. Registration is easy via the official event website (www-mto-days.de) of Messe Stuttgart. Interested parties can find there all important information relating to stand packages, participation opportunities and the accompanying programme. Booking early will not only secure a place at the première, but also the benefits of high visibility and reach of the new trade fair.
The president of Anima Confindustria, Pietro Almici, calls on EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič for action.In an increasingly complex and competitive global context, the Italian mechanical engineering industry represented by Anima Confindustria is facing significant challenges due to the recent tariffs imposed by the United States. On August 19, the White House announced the introduction of duties of up to 50% on products and components made of steel, aluminum, and derivatives, a measure that threatens the competitiveness of Italian companies in the primary reference market for the mechanical engineering sector, with exports reaching €4.4 billion in 2024.Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria, said: "It is essential that the European Union responds in a coordinated manner to these protectionist measures. On the occasion of his visit to Italy, we urge EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to intensify negotiations with the US government to reduce bureaucratic burdens and eliminate extra duties on mechanical engineering products containing steel, aluminum, and copper. We believe it is necessary to define a defense strategy and accelerate market diversification, including new trade agreements such as the one with Mercosur. The mechanical engineering industry has historically been the engine of Europe's economic and social development. Companies in the sector not only drive exports but also contribute significantly to economic stability and social cohesion, with 60% of production destined for export. At this historic moment—Almici continues—specific agreements between US and European customs would reduce the bureaucratic burden, which, in the case of SMEs, can result in the deployment of as few as two or three people for two weeks to dedicate to a single order. A clearly unsustainable business cost for small and medium-sized companies, which comprise the vast majority of the Italian mechanical manufacturing industry.Despite recent trade tensions, mechanical engineering exports have demonstrated remarkable resilience. In the first half of 2025, export turnover for the sectors represented by Anima Confindustria remained stable, with growth of +0.4%, exceeding €19.8 billion (data from Anima's Statistics and Market Intelligence Office). In this scenario, it is crucial for the mechanical engineering industry to develop new strategies to safeguard and expand the market. The diversification of destinations, already underway towards North America, the Middle East, and Africa, represents a strategic lever for strengthening Italian exports and improving the trade balance, which has shown signs of rebalancing in recent years. A good example could come from the Mattei Plan, launched in 2024, which offers a concrete opportunity to relaunch Italian technological capabilities in Africa, supporting local development through equal partnerships and creating opportunities for European mechanical engineering SMEs. Similarly, in Europe, the harmonization and dissemination of European technical standards in partner countries would facilitate exports and industrial integration on our continent."We ask that in the upcoming trade negotiations, the European Union include concrete tools for regulatory convergence, in order to reduce time and costs and create barrier-free industrial corridors," added Almici. "Italy's strategic position in the EU manufacturing industry is essential to ensure solid commercial performance and contribute to the dissemination of European industrial standards."ANIMA Confindustria is the industrial trade organization that, within Confindustria, represents companies in the mechanical and related sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people with a turnover of €55.5 billion and an export/turnover share of 59% (data from the Anima Research Office). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; safety and environment.
Exports grew in the first half of the year (+4.6%). The United States returned to being the leading destination market, but tariffs are a concern for 2026. The Italian valves and faucets sector had a turnover of 9.55 billion euros in 2024 (+1.8% over 2023), with exports accounting for 63% of revenues.Exports also increased by 4.6% in the first half of 2025, reaching a turnover of over 3 billion euros. Among the destination countries, revenues from the United States, Germany, and Saudi Arabia are growing, while those from China are decreasing. The Ateco code "Other taps and valves" is in eighth place in the ranking of the top ten Italian products by trade balance in 2024, with a value of 5.3 billion euros. During the assembly in Milan, 12 international associations (from the USA, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom) were present for the "Milan White Paper," the shared position paper on hydrogen, nuclear power, and energy. Main risk factors for 2026: tariffs towards the United States, excessive bureaucratic and customs burden, devaluation of the dollar, increase in the price of copper, structural shortage of qualified personnel, and impact of the regulatory framework. Furthermore, the energy sector is a challenge for improving the competitiveness of companies, with energy prices remaining among the highest in the EU.Valves and taps are everywhere, from the energy sector to our homes to industrial plants and infrastructure. And Italy, with around 500 industrial companies and 30,000 employees, confirms its excellence at a global level, positioning itself as the second largest market in Europe, after Germany, and among the top six globally, together with Korea, Japan, China, the USA and Germany.According to data from the Statistics Office of Anima Confindustria, presented in Milan on 24 October by Sandro Bonomi, President of the Italian Association of Valve and Tap Manufacturers (federated with Anima Confindustria) during the annual meeting of AVR members, in 2024 the sector reached a turnover of 9.55 billion euros, recording a growth of 1.8% compared to 2023. Exports remain the main driver of the sector, representing 63% of revenues.Also in the first half of 2025, sales abroad grew by 4.6% compared to the same period of the year. Previously, exceeding 3 billion euros.Among destination countries, in the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2024, the United States confirmed its leading position both in terms of export share (11.3%, equal to 343.4 million euros) and growth (+19.4%). It is followed by Germany, with a share of 8.9% (272.2 million euros, +1.9%) and Saudi Arabia, also at 8.9% (271.9 million euros, +13.3%). China, with a share of 6.1% (186.9 million euros), instead recorded a contraction of 4.4%.A strategic sector, as emerges from the analysis presented by Marco Fortis, Vice President of the Edison Foundation: the Ateco code "Other taps and valves" is in eighth place in the ranking of the top ten Italian products (4-digit Ateco) for trade balance in 2024, with a value of 5.3 billion euros[1], ahead of sectors such as basic pharmaceuticals and automotive components.The assembly highlights positive signs for the development of the sector, but also critical issues that could affect the competitiveness of companies.Among the opportunities, the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries opens up new spaces for growth, providing for the gradual elimination of duties on over 90% of industrial products: an agreement that offers the Italian valves and taps sector the possibility of Strengthen its presence in South America—particularly in Brazil and Argentina—and diversify export flows, reducing, as much as possible, dependence on markets subject to tariff tensions.Among the risk factors, however, is the uncertainty surrounding tariffs on the United States, the sector's primary destination market, which could lead to a decline in turnover in the coming years that is currently difficult to quantify.Added to this are further risk factors: excessive bureaucratic and customs burdens, which significantly increase the work required for exports, diverting resources from production and sales; the structural shortage of qualified personnel, particularly technical and specialized figures; the impact of changes in the regulatory framework, which could penalize Italian companies; the loss of competitiveness due to the strengthening of the euro against the US dollar; and the significant increase in the price of copper, which appears likely to continue in the coming years. Furthermore, particular attention will need to be paid to the energy sector, whose costs, among the highest in the EU, directly impact Italian companies. Nuclear, hydrogen, and the transition to clean energy sources are therefore the challenges for making our companies more competitive compared to other countries. "The valves and taps sector represents global excellence: a highly specialized sector, recognized worldwide for its quality, innovation, and ability to serve complex markets," says Sandro Bonomi, President of Avr. "Our companies today face significant structural challenges: bureaucratic complexity, tariffs, the lack of qualified technical personnel, and energy costs, among the highest in the EU, represent concrete obstacles to growth and competitiveness. At this stage, it is essential that institutions and the Government collaborate closely with associations and companies to preserve a sector that is currently worth almost 10 billion euros and remains strategic for the entire country system. Today's meeting was an essential opportunity for discussion on the future of the sector, thanks also to the presence of political representatives, international associations and market experts. A fundamental opportunity to consolidate the global reputation of the Italian valve and faucet industry, an emblem of innovation and Made in Italy quality.” The agenda of the annual AVR members' meetingThe meeting brought together institutional representatives, economists, geopolitical analysts, industry operators and 12 international associations from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and other countries, gathered in Milan for the "Milan White Paper", the shared position paper on hydrogen, nuclear power and energy, confirming the Lombardy capital as a global point of reference for the industry and highlighting the strength of exports, the economic importance and the strategic role of Made in Italy. After the initial speeches by Sandro Bonomi, President of AVR, and Marco Fortis, Vice President of the Edison Foundation, moderated by Greta Cristini, analyst geopolitics, the assembly was divided into five thematic open panels:Human Capital: Skills for the growth of the sectorEnergy and Industry: Clean Industrial Deal, energy and industry at the heart of the transitionHydrogen and Nuclear: Italian perspectives in the new energy contextWater / Chemistry: Water Resilience Strategy, DWD, PFAS, Lead, Chromium VISustainability and compliance: Safeguarding the competitiveness of the industry between CBAM and taxonomy.Each panel addressed key issues for the associated companies, including internationalization, technological innovation, energy transition, hydrogen, nuclear, production processes and development of skills of SMEs.The assembly focused on the future of the sector, with a focus on the new Italian nuclear power, which will be presented at the World Nuclear Exhibition, the world nuclear fair in Paris on November 4th with an Italian group of 28 companies created thanks to the Italian Trade Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. of International Cooperation proposed by ANIMA Confindustria, and on developments in hydrogen, sectors in which Italian valves are essential components. Furthermore, innovative training and production process management methods for SMEs were explored, with the aim of supporting the growth of the sector in global markets. The meeting was attended by several members of the European Parliament and Italian parliamentarians from the Energy Commission, including the Hon. Paolo Inselvini, the Hon. Vinicio Peluffo, the Hon. Luca Squeri, the Hon. Luca Toccalini, the Hon. Isabella Tovaglieri, the Hon. Mariateresa Vivaldini, and the Hon. Silvia Sardone and Davide Carlo Caparini, Councilor of the Lombardy Region, presented the institutional perspective on the sector's energy and trade policies.AVR is the ANIMA Confindustria federated industrial association that represents Italian companies in the valves and faucets sector. In 2024, the sector achieved a turnover of 9.55 billion euros, with an export/turnover share exceeding 60% (data from the Anima Research Office).ANIMA Confindustria Meccanica Varia is the industrial trade organization that, within Confindustria, represents companies in the various and related mechanical engineering sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people for a turnover of 56 billion euros and an export/turnover share of 60% (data from the Anima Research Office). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; safety and environment.
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