GrindingHub debuting in Stuttgart
GrindingHub is set to open its doors for the first time to grinding experts from all over the world from 17 to 20 May 2022 in Stuttgart. Aiming to “Bring solutions to the surface”, more than 370 exhibitors from 23 countries, including all the grinding technology market leaders, will be presenting their latest solutions on almost 18,000 square meters of net exhibition space at the event.
Trade fair showcasing latest grinding technology trends and products
The three fully booked halls will also present the latest industry topics to visitors on numerous joint stands and in special shows, supplemented by an extensive range of digital formats.
Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of GrindingHub organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), is most gratified by the successful preparations. “I myself am more than pleased with everything we have achieved since the official announcement of the trade show one year ago. We have been working flat out to get the GrindingHub off to the best possible start. The result is impressive – as visitors can now see for themselves over the next four days.”
The new trade fair for grinding technology was conceived in spring 2021. The desire for a new international meeting place for the sector came from within the industry itself. GrindingHub has been designed and planned and is being run by the VDW together with its cooperation partner, Messe Stuttgart, and Swissmem, the Association of the Swiss Mechanical, Electrical and Metal Industries, as the institutional patron. The “Schleiftagung” grinding conference has also been on board since early 2022. The team has an impressive amount of trade show and industry expertise, in-depth knowledge of the industry and the latest technical trends and, not least, of the major international players.
GrindingHub offers solutions for the entire process chain
GrindingHub exhibitors cover a total of 38 industry sectors. The Top 5 sectors include cylindrical and non-cylindrical grinding machines, grinding, polishing, and honing agents, grinding machines for cutting and machining tools, disposal and treatment of cooling lubricants, and surface grinding machines. The list of the companies’ countries of origin illustrates the international orientation of the fair: 213 exhibitors come from Germany, followed by 56 from Switzerland and 40 from Italy. Exhibitors have also signed up from Austria, France, Japan, and the USA. Schäfer says: “All this shows just how wide-ranging and diverse the GrindingHub is. It covers the entire process chain of grinding technology. We are convinced the GrindingHub will also offer genuine benefits to visitors and that, together, we will see the emergence of a new international hub for the industry – right here and now.”
Flying the flag even in economically challenging times
After two years of pandemic-related difficulties, the economy is now facing further challenges. The markets were just recovering when the war broke out in Ukraine and when supply bottlenecks arose, caused mainly by China’s zero-Covid policy. However, the German grinding technology sector has so far been weathering the global turbulence quite well. Orders received by the German grinding technology industry in the first quarter of 2022 were 48 percent up on the same period last year. Orders from Germany rose by 71 percent. Foreign orders were 43 percent higher than in the previous year. Sales also held up very well: the first three months of the year saw a sharp year-on-year increase of 34 percent.
However, this growth is anything but certain. This is clear from the most recent order figures from the euro zone: in March, the industry recorded a sharp drop of 49 percent. Sales were down almost 36 percent. “The economy is currently under enormous pressure, and there are no signs of any easing. In the current situation, it is all the more important for companies to be visible, to establish new contacts and to maintain existing networks. GrindingHub will allow our exhibitors to do all this,” Schäfer adds.
Range of special shows and digital services promise a very varied program
The event will also cover the latest trends and topics on two joint “GrindingSolutionPark Science” and “GrindingSolutionPark Industry” stands, featuring research-based applied production solutions and innovations. They will show how theory and practice can go hand in hand. The GrindingSolutionPark Science on stand 10D10 in Hall 10 features numerous prominent institutes from all over Germany. TheGrindingSolutionsPark Industry on stand 7C40 in Hall 7 also includes several well-known companies. The StartupHub, for its part, offers six young, innovative companies the chance to showcase their ideas and products at GrindingHub. The main focus is on different software solutions, but also on cylindrical and non-cylindrical grinding machines. umati is the joint connectivity initiative of VDW and VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association), and visitors will be able to experience the benefits of using a global mechanical engineering language in a live demonstration on the umati stand (9D46 in Hall 9). All those interested will learn at first-hand about the benefits of open, standardized interfaces based on OPC UA in the proven “Meet the Expert” format.
Complementing the Stuttgart program are the GrindingHub digital services which are designed to help exhibitors communicate even more effectively with their customers and enable visitors to make their own individual preparations for the event. These include Web Sessions in the run-up period and the Grinding Solution Forum during the fair, including 20-minute presentations which can be viewed either live at the show or online at www.grindinghub-digital.de. There are also exhibitor videos which can include individual stand tours, product presentations or exhibitor statements. Each exhibitor’s involvement in the GrindingHub is rounded off by a virtual supplement to the company profile on the GrindingHub homepage. This can include company information, contact details, photos, videos, company news and much more besides.
“The trade fairs are finally back after a long absence,” summarizes Wilfried Schäfer of the VDW. “I am very much looking forward to talking to people face-to-face and would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the beginning of the GrindingHub – our brand new event. This year sees the opening of the first chapter – with the next chapter set to follow from 14 to 17 May 2024. First, however, let me wish all the exhibitors and visitors a great time at the GrindingHub, with plenty of new impressions, fruitful discussions, and informative experiences.”
