For five days, the entire metalworking industry was represented at EMO, the world’s leading production technology trade show, held in Hannover. Attracting 80,000 international trade visitors, the show grounds provided substantial creative stimuli for heightened industrial competition. The main topics were automation and artificial intelligence, which have once again become essential components of industrial processes as ways to boost production efficiency.
EMO has represented technology, information, collaboration, global networking, and exchange for half a century. More than 1,600 exhibitors from 45 countries and a diverse supporting program provided a wide range of solutions for manufacturing modernisation and upgrade.
Carl Martin Welcker, general commissioner of EMO 2025, continues, “This EMO has clearly demonstrated that a wide range of clever and striking technical solutions are available.” “To be effective, the investment booster engine now needs to really get going. A number of projects are underway following three years of investment restraint, but political uncertainty is impeding investment.
Outside of Europe in particular, confidence is already increasing. Two-thirds of visitors say they plan to invest, according to the survey. It is less than half in Germany. The current trend of foreign orders placed with the German machine tool industry, which rose by 6% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period the year before, reflects this. Germany’s demand decreased by 22% during that time. However, sales are being reported by EMO exhibitors.”Open Possibilities is exactly what binds Okuma and EMO together,” said Norbert Teeuwen, managing director of Okuma Europe. We sold three exhibition machines directly to customers from our stand in addition to making numerous purchases, which made our time at the show a great success. For us, EMO is always a highlight. Thank you.
Automation has become a major focus in the industry.
Automation is the industry’s hot topic. The primary causes of this are expenses and a shortage of skilled personnel. Half of the visitors are interested in how automation could boost their productivity, the report claims. Aaron Morrill, an American CNC machinist, asserts that “automation is everywhere here and is going to make a big difference.” Nearly 140 robot manufacturers have persuasively illustrated the increasing value of using robots at EMO.
According to Klaus Winkelmann, CEO of Fanuc Europe, “we also see that robots will become increasingly important in the machine tool industry.” Industrial robots will work alongside human operators. They will provide the most effective solutions in the future.
Connections between digitalization and sustainability
More than one-third of those attending the trade show want to know more about the most recent advancements in artificial intelligence and digitisation. “AI is helpful for this and enhances factory quality,” says Jan Otoupakik, CEO of the Czech company 4dot Mechatronics. “We observe increased volume in processes that make use of all available options for processing sensor data.” This was also demonstrated by the popularity of the P.O.P Talks, which were held daily at the central innovation stage and covered a wide range of topics related to AI in production.
Automation, digitisation, and artificial intelligence ensure higher quality, productivity, and efficiency. Additionally, by promoting material and energy efficiency, for example, this enhances the sustainability of manufacturing. Sustainability is important to both research and talented young people. “We are creating several solutions. One important example is lowering the coolant flow so that only the minimum amount of coolant is used, rather than the maximum amount, which lowers the energy consumption of production systems. That was the method in the past.This allows us to save up to 95% of the electrical and pump energy and up to 60% of the total energy consumption of the production system. So, this is a big step forward,” says Berend Denkena, a professor at Leibniz University in Hannover.
Leading platform for global managers
EMO has once again proven to be an excellent platform for managers and buyers. In the visitor survey, middle or senior managers were identified by more than half of respondents. They also have the authority to make procurement decisions.
In total, 94% of visitors reported that they had achieved their travel objectives. 98% of respondents rated EMO as satisfactory to very good. This is also reflected in the exhibitors’ choice. Irene Bader, a board member of the German-Japanese company DMG Mori, summarises, “What we presented at EMO in 2025 is a glimpse into the future of production.”
German Wankmiller, chairman of Grob-Werke’s board of management, adds, “On the whole, we are happy with how this year’s EMO went, and we’ve been positively surprised considering the currently challenging market situation.” Furthermore, the volume of visitors and the quality of the discussions have consistently been positive, and they have given us insightful information to work with in the months to come.”
Dr. Markus Heering, executive director of the VDW, the organisation that hosts EMO events, states, “Once again, it has proven possible to attract international market leaders in metalworking to EMO and address the new topics in industrial production.” “Therefore, it has cemented its position as the world’s leading trade show and trend indicator.”
According to Dr. Markus Heering, executive director of the VDW, the organisation that hosts EMO events, “it has once again proven possible to attract international market leaders in metalworking to EMO and address the new topics in industrial production.” “It has therefore cemented its position as the world’s leading trade show and trend indicator.”
