GrindingHub 2024 Preview provides insights into the latest innovations in grinding technology
Which highlights are definitely a must-see for visitors to GrindingHub 2024? The answer came from 14 exhibitors at an exclusive preview on March 21. They showcased their newest products and innovations to around 30 international trade journalists – around eight weeks before the major exhibition for the grinding technology sector opens its doors in Stuttgart from May 14th to 17th.
Which highlights are definitely a must-see for visitors to GrindingHub 2024? The answer came from 14 exhibitors at an exclusive preview on March 21. They showcased their newest products and innovations to around 30 international trade journalists – around eight weeks before the major exhibition for the grinding technology sector opens its doors in Stuttgart from May 14th to 17th. “We are delighted that so many international companies, from start-ups to global players, have seized this opportunity to engage with potential visitors ahead of time and share their highlights,” says Martin Göbel, Head of Trade Fairs and Events at GrindingHub host VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association).
He was joined at the event by Adelbert Haas GmbH (Germany), Amiad Machining Fluid Filtration (Israel), Anca Europe GmbH (Australia/Germany), CemeCon AG (Germany), DMG Mori (Japan/Germany), Erwin Junker Maschinenfabrik GmbH (Germany), Fives Group (France), Meister Abrasives AG & Alfons Schmeier GmbH & Co. KG (Switzerland), Mitsubishi Electric B.V. (Japan/Germany), Pureon AG (Switzerland), STA Separatoren-Technik & Anlagenbau GmbH (Germany), Spanflug Technologies GmbH (Germany) and United Grinding Group Management AG (Switzerland), plus umati, the joint connectivity initiative by VDW and VDMA, and the “Grinder of the Year” competition for young talent.
GrindingHub has positioned itself as an international innovation platform for grinding technology. Peter Breuer from the Manufacturing Technology Institute (MTI) at RWTH Aachen University provided an example of where this initiative is heading with his keynote “Digital assistance systems in grinding technology”. For an application-oriented institute like the MTI, it is particularly important to bridge the gap between science and practice and thus take the step from the ivory tower of research to industrial production. Many potential cooperation partners are represented at GrindingHub.
Strong figures as a factor in success
“The trade fair has developed well since its debut,” reports Göbel from the VDW. Even though the official deadline for registration has now passed, interest in exhibiting at GrindingHub 2024 remains high. The number of exhibitors rose again in March, reaching 487. Exhibitors hail from 31 countries, with the largest contingents coming from Germany, Switzerland, China, Italy and Japan. Together they cover 40 sectors, thereby representing the entire grinding process chain.
GrindingHub is a catalyst for growth in economically uncertain times
“Economically, grinding technology performed exceptionally well last year, with order books packed,” reports Göbel. VDW estimates that production in Germany surged in 2023 by 15 percent to EUR 1.1 billion compared to the previous year, outpacing the overall machine tool industry growth of just 9 percent. This was driven by exports, which saw a 15 percent rise. Imports grew by 11 percent and consumption by 13 percent. Germany is the world’s second largest market for grinding technology. Consequently, around half of the exhibitors at GrindingHub come from abroad to showcase their business in this attractive setting. “The fact that the outlook for this year is not quite as optimistic makes this all the more important,” believes Göbel. Incoming orders have been slowing since the start of 2023 and fell by a fifth by the end of the year. “The sector needs stimulus for a recovery. GrindingHub can provide it,” he concludes.
The digital release of the GrindingHub Preview 2024 will soon be available online under the following link: https://www.grindinghub.de/en/journalists/press-material#imageandvideomaterial.
About GrindingHub in Stuttgart
GrindingHub 2024 will be held for the second time in Stuttgart from May 14th to 17th. It is held every two years by VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association, Frankfurt am Main), in partnership with Messe Stuttgart and the Schleiftagung grinding technology conference, with the backing of the industry sector “Swiss Machine Tool Manufacturers” of Swissmem (association of the Swiss machinery, electrical and metal industry). Grinding technology is one of the top three manufacturing processes in the German machine tool industry. According to official statistics, the sector produced machinery worth EUR 964 million in 2022. Export accounts for 74 percent of this, with around half bound for Europe. The largest sales markets are China, the USA and Italy. Internationally, China, Germany and Japan top the global rankings. In 2022, the global production value for grinding technology amounted to EUR 5.5 billion.
