Preparations in full swing / International press trip focused on the tool constructioncluster and highlights of the trade fair Messe Stuttgart will again become the meeting point for the tool, pattern and mould making industry from 6 to 9 May 2025. The international press trip inFebruary was an important milestone during the preparations for the trade fair.
Poland was the destination for the Moulding Expo press trip which marked therestart of international trade press conferences. Following the trips to hot spots in the tool, pattern and mould making industry in Portugal and Slovenia, the focal point this year was the Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley. During company visits, Shapers Poland Ltd. and INTEMO S.A. provided insights into tool construction and mould making in Poland.
Piotr Wojciechowski, Managing Director of the Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster Tool Valley, stated the following: "Our Cluster comprises 170 members, including universities, business environment institutions and 140 companies from tool construction and plastics processing that supply high-quality moulds and tools to the automotive industry, the medical industry, the cosmetics industry or manufacturers of household devices."
The Polish Cluster will be represented at Moulding Expo for the first time on a jointstand. Wojciechowski continued: "After our visit in 2023, we will be delighted top resent the quality and diversity of our Cluster this year with five to six companieson our joint stand."
The ISTMA Europe Meeting was held at the same time as the Moulding Expo presstrip. Stephan Berz was elected as the new President of ISTMA Europe during the Meeting and made the following statement: "Tool construction is an essential cog in European industry. The current structural change calls for adaptation – from customer profiles and procurement and production cooperation agreements through to digitalisation. After more than thirty years in the industry, I want to usemy experience and my global network to provide positive momentum and helpshape the future."
A round table with the partner associations of Moulding Expo and the ISTMAEurope Meeting provided insights into the current economic situation. Bob Williamson, President of ISTMA World, summarised: "The world market for tools and moulds is estimated to be $260 billion and is forecast to increase to $500 billion by 2033. Current challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers and supply chain problems are a reflection of global changes. Emerging markets in Asia represent growing competition for the western tool construction industry. This means that there is a need for action in terms of innovations and automation. Regional networks will also become more important in future."
The European tool, pattern and mould making industry and its suppliers are also faced with major challenges. The current consumption and investment restraint canbe clearly felt among tool construction companies, which depend to a large extenton the model cycles of their customer industries, and pose a great challenge.
Markus Heseding, Managing Director of the VDMA Precision Tools Association andthe VDMA Measuring and Testing Technology Association, emphasised the importance of Moulding Expo in view of the current economic situation: "Moulding Expo is the ideal platform in the heart of Europe to network relevant decision makers along the metal and plastics value-added chains in regard to tool construction and mould making, discuss future projects and find innovative solutions. The trade fair offers a valuable international network and information which are extremely important, especially in difficult market conditions."
"It is important to recognise in this respect that the tool construction and mould making industry in the D-A-CH area is inexpensive," said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Seul,President of the Association of German Tool and Mould Makers (VDWF): "The workof tool makers is good value for money! Although their tools and moulds are not cheap, they actually offer real value-added which suppliers from low-wage countries cannot afford: the large number of small and medium-sized enterprises in theindustry supply valid means of production for the industry – with process reliability, in accordance with the law and without unexpected risks." Seul highlighted inparticular the proximity to local customers: "In addition to high delivery speed and flexibility, tool makers from German-speaking countries are also outstanding due totheir cultural and linguistic proximity. These are all advantages which can ideally be experienced at first hand during Moulding Expo in Stuttgart."
Florian Niethammer, Head of Exhibitions & Events at Messe Stuttgart, also provided some important key figures about Moulding Expo 2025: "Planning of MouldingExpo is in full swing and there is still great dynamism. In May we are expecting over200 companies from 16 countries. 36 percent of exhibitors come from abroad.
After our successful press trip in Poland, we are really looking forward this year to welcoming tool construction companies from the Tool Valley Cluster to Moulding Expo here at Messe Stuttgart at the start of May. "Exclusive matchmaking opportunities and a joint dinner rounded off the press trip.
Whether a hidden champion or a large group, the best that the first-class European tool, pattern and mould making industry and its suppliers have to offer meet at Moulding Expo.
The International Trade Fair for Tool, Pattern and Mould Making will turn the spotlight on small and medium-sized businesses in the industry and provide them with an opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise when it comes to theimplementation of customer-specific projects. Moulding Expo also features all the relevant technology partners in the industry who satisfy the high industry demands for quality and accuracy: from standard components, materials, hot runner systems, processing tools, clamping devices and machine tools through to testing and measurement technology and software suppliers.
Always stay up to date: www.moulding-expo.com
SawExpo, Trade Fair for Cutting and Machining Technology, will be staged concurrently with Moulding Expo from 6 to 9 May 2025. All concurrent events: www.messe-stuttgart.de/en/events-tickets
