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AMADA MACHINERY presents the new SSR5

AMADA SSR5 grinding machine: the ideal choice for those who want to combine high removal capacity with maximum precision and speed, simplifying the operator's work.Advantages of its use:⚙ Tripled speed: up to 3 times faster than conventional grinding machines, thanks to the intelligent elimination of idle movements.⚙ Extreme precision: guarantees a quality surface finish and flatness in the order of a few microns.⚙ Powerful machining: excellent removal capacity even on particularly difficult materials such as hard metal and sintered steels, with less wear on the grinding wheel.The Superiority of the SSR5: deriving from targeted construction choices: 💡 Optimal rigidity design: monolithic structure in high-quality cast iron and large thickness to guarantee maximum stability.💡 Separation of movements: clear separation between the transverse and rotary movement components, maximizing efficiency.💡 Top-of-the-line components: hand-scraped hydrodynamic guides for unsurpassed precision and hydrodynamic grinding spindle with temperature stabilizer for constant thermal stability.💡 Ease of use: tactile buttons and electronic handwheels.💡 Intuitive programming: macros created by the manufacturer and Fanuc CNC control making the machine extremely easy to use.

The smarter grinding wheel gives way

How elastic bonded diamond tools optimize precision machiningWhen the hardest material in the world and soft plastic come together, the result is tools with very special grinding properties. We are talking about elastic bonded diamond grinding wheels. These show their strengths during finishing and ensure the perfect finish. Innovative processes such as these are necessary because the manufacturing industry faces the challenge of producing increasingly complex and precise components from resistant materials. Conventional production methods often reach their limits here, especially when the surfaces are so fine that they require particularly sensitive processing. At the GrindingHub trade fair, organized by the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) in Stuttgart from May 5 to 8, 2026, visitors will learn more about innovative grinding techniques for achieving the highest surface qualities.

For demanding finishing and polishing processes
Elastic grinding and polishing tools are used in a wide variety of industries. In metalworking, they refine surfaces ranging from the finest surgical instruments to heavy-duty turbine blades. These tools can be used to accelerate manufacturing processes and increase cost-effectiveness and sustainability in production. "Our elastic bonded diamond tools demonstrate their strengths wherever extremely hard materials such as carbide need to be machined with precision," says Jens Meiberg, Head of Technology Development at GrindingHub exhibitor Artifex Dr. Lohmann GmbH & Co. KG, a specialist in elastic grinding and polishing tools based in Kaltenkirchen near Hamburg. "They achieve their maximum effect particularly in applications where extremely fine surfaces, even mirror finishes, are required," says Meiberg. This makes them ideal for demanding finishing and polishing processes. According to Meiberg, Artifex is currently focusing on the machining of carbide drilling and milling tools to improve cutting edges and achieve more efficient chip removal from cutting tools.

Greater efficiency and reduced overall costs
Technically optimal surfaces are one thing, cost-effectiveness is another. In industrial practice, it ultimately comes down to the cost-benefit analysis for the user. In other words: When does the improved surface quality justify the higher cost? "Studies show service life improvements of more than 50 per cent compared to unprepared tools," says Artifex manager Meiberg. Combined with faster chip flow and greater chip volume, users achieve significant cost and service life advantages. Machining with elastic bonded diamond tools significantly improves the surface quality of the machined workpieces. In practice, this optimization leads to noticeably longer service life for subsequent tools and more stable and reliable process behavior. Users benefit from greater efficiency and reduced overall costs," says Meiberg.

Delicate machining for delicate surfaces
Some surfaces are so delicate that they must be machined with extreme care. As the Head of Technology Development at Artifex explains, flexibly mounted diamond particles achieve "non-contour-changing glossy surfaces" by cutting topological material peaks. The homogeneously distributed abrasive medium bounces back and forth in the bonding matrix. Put simply and in layman's terms: the soft mass gives way slightly, so that the grains wobble slightly when rubbed instead of scratching firmly. Therefore, the surface is only gently smoothed and polished, rather than aggressively removing material or changing the shape. In other words: the smarter grinding wheel gives way. "The pressure and speed parameters of the process pose the greatest challenge in preventing grain break-outs from this newly developed soft bond," says Meiberg. The surface quality can be achieved reproducibly throughout the entire life cycle of the disks. Thanks to the tool change options in the machine, machining is carried out in a single clamping and not through downstream processes. According to Meiberg, Artifex's in-house Research and Development Department ensures the continuous advancement of diamond tools – particularly with regard to new carbide alloys and modern carbide tools.Scope for basic research down to the nanometer range
There is still plenty of scope for basic research at universities in the micro- and nanometer range. This also applies when using flexible precision machining tools in the finishing of structured surfaces. Dr. Monika Kipp, who heads the Grinding Technology Department at the Institute of Machining Technology at the Technical University Dortmund, is intensively involved in this topic. "One example of the use of flexible precision machining tools is the finishing of structured surfaces," says Kipp. If these are produced by milling, for example, micro-burrs may occur. In order to remove these without significantly altering the structure and at the same time improving the surface finish, the tools must be highly adaptable and only a very small amount of material should be removed. "To achieve this goal, our research focuses on the fundamental process behavior of flexible diamond tools," says the scientist, who was recently awarded the Otto Kienzle Commemorative Medal by the WGP (Scientific Society for Production Engineering).

Perfect choreography
When machining highly sensitive surfaces with flexible tools, it is essential to know exactly how the tools and material interact. "In order to avoid unwanted contour changes in precision machining with elastic bonded diamond grinding wheels or other flexible grinding tools, it is essential to understand the basic process interactions," says Kipp, summarizing the key challenge. This includes, for example, coordinating the process parameters and the bonding strength or flexibility of the tools and thus the local contact situation. In addition, according to the scientist, targeted adjustments to the process control with regard to the kinematics of the procedure could also be effective. In layman's terms, you can imagine it as choreography. How fast does the grinding tool move? How fast is the workpiece moving? At what angle or pattern do the grains strike the surface? How often does a single grain engage with the material? For optimal results, perfect coordination is essential.

Three factors: contact pressure, contact time, grain sizeThe surface quality in precision machining depends, among other things, on the local contact situation, says Kipp. "When it comes to process design, a distinction must be made in terms of the objective: whether the aim is to achieve the lowest possible roughness or whether functional surfaces with structural or contour elements need to be reworked," explains the researcher. Flexible abrasive tools can be used for corresponding applications. Material removal and thus the surface finish can be controlled by adjusting the contact pressure, contact time, and grain size, among other factors.The grinding gap is a mystery
Applications at the limits of what is technically possible and economically viable therefore open up a wide field for industrial and academic research. Because the saying among experts still holds true: "The grinding gap is a mystery." This phrase suggests that practitioners and researchers still need to shed light on the deepest physical and process engineering secrets of grinding in order to technically optimize industrial production processes and make them more efficient and sustainable.

The Italian machine tool industry is expected to experience a rather sluggish 2025. Moderate growth is forecast for 2026.

After a truly challenging 2024, 2025 proved rather sluggish for Italian machine tool, robot, and automation manufacturers, who saw little growth in production, held back by declining exports that were not offset by a sufficient recovery in activity on the domestic market. 2026 will be better, but forecasts are cautious due to the highly unstable context. This, in summary, is what emerges from the preliminary 2025 and 2026 forecast data just released by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Center.In particular, in 2025, production stood at 6,420 million euros, marking a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year. The year was characterised by a sharp contraction in exports, which fell to 3,710 million, 13.2% less than in 2024.Almost all the main destination markets for Made in Italy products in the sector recorded a negative sign, confirming the difficult international situation.According to UCIMU processing of ISTAT data, in the period January-September 2025 (latest available data), the main outlet markets for the Italian supply of machine tools alone were: United States (423 million euros, -8.1%), Germany (196 million euros, -29.7%); France (145 million, -0.5%), India (135 million -4.2%), Poland (135 million, +13.3%).On the domestic front, the recovery in consumption, which rose 20.5% to €4,465 million, drove growth in deliveries by Italian manufacturers to the domestic market, which reached €2,710 million, 32% more than the previous year. Although the increases in these two indicators are significant, the results are unsatisfactory as they are still far below the values achieved in previous years.The export/production ratio fell again, stopping at 57.8%.For 2026, the forecasts developed by the UCIMU Research Centre indicate (still) moderate growth in the main economic indicators. In particular, in 2026, production will grow, reaching 6,590 million euros (+2.6% compared to 2025).This result will be determined both by the return to positive territory of exports (+0.7%) compared to the value of 2025, reaching 3,735 million euros, and by the increase in deliveries by Italian manufacturers, which will grow to 2,855 million euros (+5.4% compared to 2025), supported by the increase in domestic demand.Italian consumption of machine tools, robots and automation will grow to 4,730 million euros, equal to 5.9% more than in 2025. Imports will also benefit from the recovery in domestic demand, as demonstrated by the forecast data indicating growth of 6.8%, to 1,875 million euros. The export/production ratio will drop further, stopping at 56.7%.Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU, commented as follows: "After a 2024 was truly complicated, 2025 confirmed itself as the year of trend reversal with the transition from a negative sign to growth, albeit very timid, recorded by production data. In reality, we did not expect exports to weigh down the final result as they did."International geopolitical instability, open conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, President Trump's tariff war and the resulting new (dis)order in world trade have put our exports to the test"."The performance that Italian machine tool manufacturers achieved on the domestic market was better than expected, however, where they only recovered a small portion of the ground lost in the previous two years due to the critical issues related to Transition 5.0 which, after starting with an unforgivable delay, underwent several adjustments, becoming easily usable only in the last months of operation, only to then suddenly close more than a month ahead of the deadline set for December 31"."Despite the numerous difficulties encountered - continued President Rosa - the results However, the results obtained have demonstrated the usefulness of Industry 5.0, in addition to Industry 4.0, as a measure to support investments in new production technologies in Italy. "The hope is that the incentive measures envisaged by the government bodies under discussion in these weeks of finalizing the 2026 Budget Law will be truly easy to use and quickly operational. We Italian machine tool manufacturers," continued the president of UCIMU, "simply ask for clarity and immediacy. To work, the measure must involve little bureaucracy and must be released and made available from the first weeks of the new year. Only in this way will the measure—which on paper, as we have seen it, seems overall valid—be able to bring real benefits to the country's manufacturing industry.""That said," added Riccardo Rosa, "we greatly appreciate the government's very recent announcement that it intends to focus on the multi-year nature of the measure. Having a measure available from the beginning of 2026 to 2028 is certainly a wise choice, allowing client companies to plan their purchases and manufacturers to organize production, thus best distributing work within their production capacity."On the international front, the weakening of some markets, starting with Germany, which is reeling from the automotive crisis; the difficulty of sales in the USA, our primary market, due to tariffs; and the closure of some particularly opportunity-rich areas such as Russia, require even more intense work to develop trade relations with traditional and "alternative" areas, including the Mercosur countries. For this reason," continued Riccardo Rosa, "it is disheartening to read in the newspapers that Italy is among the countries questioning the continuation of the process for the conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Agreement, which has effectively reached its final stage. Retracing our steps now, at a particularly delicate time for international trade, would be a grave mistake."Also on the basis of this agreement, over the last two years, the association has strengthened its initiatives dedicated to Latin American countries. In addition to the exploratory missions carried out in Brazil, designed to strengthen partnerships with the local system of institutions, businesses, and representative organizations, UCIMU has initiated interesting discussions with industrial representative organizations in Argentina, preparatory to new collaborations between the industries of the two countries. Furthermore," added President Rosa, "we have not neglected the so-called "associated" and "observer" countries linked to the agreement, certain that they too will be able to offer interesting opportunities to our companies. Among the Mercosur members, we have turned our attention to Chile where, following a reconnaissance mission, a project for the development of a Technology Center with the participation of local universities has been under consideration. Among the observers, however, our focus is on Mexico, where the Oficina Italiana de Promotiòn Mexico has been operating since the beginning of 2025, a desk that works to support Italian companies in understanding and penetrating the relevant market, including in Central and North America."With reference to Asia, India and the countries of Southeast Asia are of particular interest to us because they are characterized by very strong growth and a good predisposition towards us, as demonstrated by the dynamism of the activities supported by the association: from the India Desk to the ITC India Network and the IMT Vietnam Network, both recently renewed.""Turning our gaze to Europe, while waiting to see how the German economy and manufacturing industry will respond to the measures implemented by the Merz government, the hope is that the EU will intervene to correct the timing and methods of the transition towards green mobility, thus avoiding the risk of industrial desertification in the Old Continent. The principle of technological neutrality is, in our opinion, the only correct response to this situation.”

Italian mechanical engineering: exports and domestic market down

According to the 2025 forecasts of the Anima Confindustria Research Office, the sector should close the year in the red (-1.4%). Almici «A critical scenario that requires targeted interventions by institutionsOn the occasion of the event organized by Anima Confindustria at the Marriott Hotel in Milan, "How to support the competitiveness of the mechanical engineering industry", the Federation provided a detailed overview of the forecasts for the production and exports of various mechanical engineering for 2025. The data presented clearly speak of a slowdown that has continued for two years and reflects the negative influence weighing on the industrial sector, resulting from geopolitical tensions, the imposition of trade duties and the volatility of international markets.The overall production of the sector will reach 100 million euros in 2025. an estimated value of 59.1 billion euros, recording a contraction of 1.4% compared to 2024 and confirming the second consecutive year of decline - after the 1.3% drop recorded in 2024 compared to 2023. None of the six macro-sectors represented by Anima recorded growth compared to the previous year, a clear sign of the seriousness of the situation.On the export front, Italian mechanical engineering exports are estimated at 32.9 billion euros in 2025, a decrease of 1.7% compared to 2024. This is therefore a worsening compared to the weak positive signal of last year, when exports had recorded growth of 0.7%. This last figure is crucial, as exports remain the driving force of the sector, with a share of turnover destined for international markets exceeding 55% of total production. The contraction represents a significant threat to the competitiveness of Italian industry and, consequently, to the national trade balance.The main sector by turnover within Anima Confindustria is declining. Construction plants, machinery, and products, a sector worth over €20 billion, are down 2.4% compared to 2024, with exports down 1.9%. Food industry technologies and equipment are down 0.7%, while the logistics and goods handling sector is expected to close the year with a decline of 0.8%. A negative year is also forecast for industrial technologies and products (-1.0%). Going into detail, the sector of machinery and systems for energy production and for the chemical and petroleum industries, production is estimated at 16.5 billion euros in 2025, marking a decrease of 1.0% compared to 2024. Exports of the same sector will suffer a contraction of 1.7%, reaching 9.6 billion euros.The most stable sector is expected to be that of machinery and systems for the safety of people and the environment. Production is expected to be 5.1 billion euros in 2025, a slight decrease (-0.05%) compared to 2024, with domestic market growth impacted by exports falling by 2.0%.On the employment front, the entire sector represented by Anima is expected to have over 224,000 employees in 2025, recording a reduction of 0.1% compared to 2024. Although this decline is minimal, it testifies to the sector's continuing difficulty in maintaining employment levels.The president of Anima Confindustria, Pietro Almici strongly reiterates the need for decisive and coordinated intervention by Italian and European institutions. The mechanical engineering industry is no ordinary sector: it provides employment to more than 224,000 workers, generates a turnover of nearly €60 billion annually, and represents a significant portion of the entire national manufacturing GDP. Allowing this sector's competitiveness to decline further would mean watching, willfully helplessly, a potential decline that would threaten the country's economic prosperity. The Federation appreciates the growing recognition shown by institutions over the past year and calls for targeted interventions that concretely address current challenges: a coordinated response to US tariffs, the restoration of stable industrial policies to support innovation, and the constant involvement of trade associations in industrial decision-making processes.Despite the complex scenario, Anima remains confident and emphasizes the tenacious ability of the Italian mechanical engineering industry to resist and face this difficult moment."Over the decades," Almici continues, "the sector has demonstrated its ability to adapt and innovate in response to various global crises. However, this resilience alone is not enough: it is vital that institutions provide the necessary support. The Transition 5.0 plan could have been a tool for recovery, but the exhaustion of funds and the subsequent closure of the plan have increased uncertainty for the entire manufacturing industry. The mechanical engineering sector, represented by Anima, remains the beating heart of the Italian economy, as well as the true driver of its global competitiveness. Protecting this reality represents a matter of national interest that requires the establishment of a different strategic vision and, above all, a concrete commitment from all institutional actors.ANIMA Confindustria is the industrial trade organization that, within Confindustria, represents companies in the various and related mechanical engineering sectors, a sector that employs 224,006 people for a turnover of 59.1 billion euros and an export/turnover share of 56% (Anima Research Office 2025 forecasts). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; safety and environment.

WIN EURASIA 2026 sets out with the motto “Driven by Automation”

WIN EURASIA Automation and Machine Technologies Trade Fair has launched its preparations for 2026 with the motto “Driven by Automation.” WIN EURASIA, which has led the transformation of manufacturing and industry in Türkiye for 31 years and is organized by Hannover Fairs Turkey, will focus in its 2026 edition on electric, electronics transmission and distribution & energy automation, welding, joining, cutting, surface treatment technologies, compressor and compressed air technologies, as well as Internet of Things, 5G, and artificial intelligence integrations. The trade fair, which shapes the future of the manufacturing industry, will be held in six halls across a total area of 55,000 m². WIN EURASIA will be held for the 32nd time between 10–13 June 2026 at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by Hannover Fairs Turkey with the motto “Driven by Automation,” the trade fair will welcome its visitors across a 55,000 m² exhibition area in six halls. At WIN EURASIA 2026, which has carried production and industry into the future in Türkiye for 31 years, hundreds of companies will showcase their products. This major organization will center on solutions that carry digital transformation and productive automation competencies into the future. The trade fair will unite a wide technological universe under one roof—from electric-electronics transmission and distribution to energy automation, from welding and machine automation to compressor and compressed gas technologies, and from robotics to digital factories. Special 5G and IoT areas will be createdWIN EURASIA 2026 will elevate the visitor experience with “special area” concepts that allow attendees to directly experience the future of the sector. The IoT Special Area, 5G Arena, Industrial Artificial Intelligence Special Area, Power Transmission Special Area, and Maintenance-Repair Workshop will feature interactive experience sets. These special areas, where the operating principles of next-generation production technologies and the transformation of automation infrastructures into operational outcomes can be observed, aim to offer visitors a “living” technology trade fair experience. A platform shaping the future of weldingThe Welding, Cutting, Joining, and Surface Treatment area will create a unique meeting point by gathering the most innovative solutions of the industry. While providing a strong networking environment for one-on-one B2B meetings with buyers, conferences and panels by sector leaders will offer visitors up-to-date knowledge. Live demos, competitions, and trainings in the application area will create a comprehensive technical development environment. New talent will be discovered in the career zone, and the trade fair will be full of industry festivities, cocktails, music, and special events. COMVAC: Compressor and compressed-air companies will be presentWith the cooperation of KOMSAD, the sector’s strong association, companies operating in compressors, vacuum, and compressed gas equipment will take part in the COMVAC area at WIN EURASIA 2026. These companies will present their efficiency-focused solutions to visitors from all around the world and showcase innovative applications in energy savings, sustainability, and operational performance. Products and solutions supporting production processes will meet sector professionals in the trade fair area. Global interest carries into WIN EURASIA 2026WIN EURASIA 2026 will continue contributing to the strengthening of a sustainable industry vision by connecting  global brands, visionary solutions, and integrated systems. In the previous edition of WIN EURASIA, Germany, Iraq, Bulgaria, Italy, Tunisia, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Serbia were among the countries showing the highest interest. This strong international visitor profile, together with Italy, Germany, India, China, and Japan standing out as exhibitors, once again proved that the trade fair is a global industrial gathering. This growing global momentum is expected to be reflected even more strongly in WIN EURASIA 2026, held on 10–13 June 2026, connecting industry leaders from all around the world again at the Istanbul Expo Center. An opportunity to discover the future of industryOffering visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to explore the future, WIN EURASIA 2026 will provide a 360-degree holistic view of the manufacturing industry. The trade fair will grant access to conferences, seminars, and presentations on industry trends and solutions. Professionals, experts, and decision-makers from around the world will come together to discover the latest technologies shaping the industry’s future. Hundreds of companies will showcase their newest productsAcross the 55,000 m² of WIN EURASIA 2026’s six halls, hundreds of companies operating in the sectors of Electric, Electronics Transmission and Distribution & Energy Automation; Industrial and Factory Automation Technologies; Robotic Automation and Digital Factory Technologies; Welding and Robotic Welding Technologies; Machine Automation and Technologies; COMVAC- Compressed Air and Vacuum Technology; and Joining, Cutting, Surface Treatment Technologies will showcase their latest products.

ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE fair in Poznan (PL) accelerates to 2026

An interview with the new director of ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE, Miłosz Jankowiak, is a conversation about the strategic redefinition of the exhibition space, the use of many years of experience in project management and enthusiasm for innovations that shape the future of Polish and international industry. The upcoming edition of the fair (26-29 May 2026) is intended to be a platform connecting people, ideas and facilitating business.You joined the ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE team as a new face, but within Grupa MTP you are a well-known figure for organizing projects of enormous scale and success, such as Polagra, Poznań Game Arena and Caravans Salon. How will this many years of experience, successfully managed, translate into industrial fairs?Miłosz Jankowiak: It is a great honor for me to join the ITM trade fair, which has been organized by Poznań International Fair for decades. Referring to the 'gamer' jargon that is familiar to me, I can say about the previous editions of ITM: 'Good game, well played.' However, I believe that every well-played game can be even better! My many years of experience in managing the largest events at MTP Poznan Expo, such as Polagra and Poznań Game Arena, have taught me that the success of trade fairs is driven by people – open, willing to cooperate and ready to work together. I join with renewed energy and a fresh perspective to support the team. This is a time for inspiring conversations with leaders and listening to the needs of the industry. We, as Organisers, try to do what we do best: connect people, their ideas and facilitate business.We know that after last year's edition, the team collected valuable surveys from participants. One of the challenges, despite its unquestionable advantage, turned out to be the vast area of MTP Poznań Expo. How do you plan to address this in the 2026 edition to be even closer to exhibitors?- That's true. The extensive area allows for flexible space arrangement for several hundred exhibitors, but may be a difficulty for visitors who want to see their stands in a short time. Therefore, to be closer to the innovative heart of the industry, we plan to locate the majority of the ITM exhibition in a so-called four-pack. These are the most modern of four exhibition halls, whose spaces will perfectly complement the innovative nature of the fair. This will ensure proximity to halls 5 and 5A, and a little further on, in halls 3, the MODERNLOG logistics fair will be held. Adapting to changing market and technological conditions is key for both sectors. ITM is a place where, in a nutshell, for 4 days, you can see modern solutions live and, most importantly, make strategic purchasing decisions that optimize, among other things, production processes.ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE is a comprehensive event. Please tell us which thematic exhibitions will constitute the main pillars of this innovative exhibition in 2026?- ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 is a four-pronged innovation that will fully demonstrate the transformation of the industry. We have AUTOMA – the Automation, Robotics and Pneumatics Exhibition, where we will present the automation of production processes, industrial robots, cobots, modern control systems and the latest achievements in pneumatics. Then there is MACH-TOOL – Machine Tools and Tools Exhibition, the heart of machining, showcasing machining centers, milling machines, lathes, CNC grinders, as well as sheet metal processing technologies, including laser systems and press brakes, with plenty of live machine demonstrations showing precision. The third pillar is SURFEX – the Surface Treatment Technology Exhibition, focusing on painting, protective coatings, galvanisation and thermo-chemical treatment that minimizes environmental impact, of course along with live demonstrations of surface treatment and painting. Finally, we have WELDING – Welding Innovation Exhibition, where the focus will be on robotic welding stations – automatic systems for joining materials, and on safety systems that improve the safety of these processes. What about the accompanying program and returning exhibitors?  We are very pleased that exhibitors place orders for their stands several months before the fair, which allows us to precisely plan the space. We will also take care of proven and frequently visited thematic zones whose partners have already confirmed their presence. Schmalz will take care of the Collaborative Robot Zone, and Troax will take care of the Industrial Safety Zone. The Demobus Zone will also return, although I won't reveal the details of the new arrangement just yet. Our regular exhibitor PNEUMAT is already planning a space for pneumatic games and competitions for maintenance managers. We are also continuing one of the pillars of the program – the Women Factories of the Future conference, organized with DBR 77 and B2B marketing expert Agnieszka Wnuk. It was at her urging that, even though the fair was still a few months away, in October this year our spaces hosted participants of the pioneering LinkedIn Local for Industry conference. The event exceeded our expectations and we plan to repeat it during the fair. This only reinforces our belief that the success of any conference or trade fair is due to people, their creativity and passion.Although there is much talk of a slowdown in the industry, based on analyzes by the Central Statistical Office, forecasts for 2026 indicate an improvement in the situation in the industry... Are companies ready to invest? And can the ITM trade fair make it easier?- People who follow industry trends will certainly not leave Poznań disappointed! Referring to the analyzes of the Central Statistical Office, forecasts for 2026 indicate an improvement in the situation in the industry. Companies that effectively implement innovations, optimize processes, and respond to new customer expectations will strengthen their competitive position.Progressive digitalisation will be extremely important – the development of AI solutions, edge computing and MES/SCADA systems will support the modernization of the machinery park. In addition, the green transformation is crucial, i.e. the emphasis on energy efficiency and the Circular Economy (CE), which will force design changes in machines and devices. Finally, we expect exports to increase, as the growing competitiveness of Polish producers should result in a greater presence on foreign markets. ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 will be a living showcase of these innovations.  Polish SMEs now have a real chance to lead the digital revolution. New programs supporting development have emerged, such as Dig.IT Digital Transformation, a project aimed at micro, small and medium-sized industrial enterprises and production services. The budget is as much as PLN 140 million, and companies can apply for grants from PLN 150,000 to PLN 850,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs. This means that half of the expenses for ERP systems, production software or data analysis tools can be financed from external funds, and the ITM trade fair will be the perfect place to find and select these technologies. The call for applications ended in October, but the next one is planned for June 2026. There are also support programs under European Funds for selected voivodeships, such as for innovative business investments, especially in the field of automation and robotisation for Western Pomerania.The introduction to these innovations will begin here in Poznań.  We are ready to facilitate business and inspire the industry to take the next strategic step forward!