The 'Magic' World of Metalworking

EMO MILANO 2021, a leading exhibition for the global metalworking industry, will take place in Milan (Fieramilano Rho exhibition grounds) from 4-9 October 2021, when new investment is expected to resume. Promoted by CECIMO, the European Association of Machine Tool Industries, and organised by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE (the Italian machine tools, robotics and automation systems manufacturers' association), the event will include “the biggest digital factory ever set up at an exhibition”.

Metal forming and metal cutting machine tools; production systems; enabling technologies; robots and automation; solutions for interconnected and digital factories and additive manufacturing will be among the products and solutions highlighted at EMO MILANO 2021.

“The large and varied product offering on show as well as the clear link between production technologies and IoT systems will be of great appeal to global operators in the manufacturing industry, representing all major user sectors (machine tools; automotive; aeronautics; aerospace; rail; metallurgy and materials,” UCIMU told ISMR.

Although the COVID-19 emergency has heralded a period of uncertainty in the industry, EMO's organisers confirmed that, (by mid-May 2021), 32 countries are now represented by show exhibitors. These include Italy; Germany; Taiwan; Spain; Japan; Switzerland; China and Korea. According to the show organiser, purchasing decision-makers in production technology make up 81% of total visitors to the event (56% take part in the purchasing decision and 25% decide autonomously).

“EMO is an exhibition event capable, like no other, of interpreting the industrial ‘spirit of the age’ whilst presenting the most futuristic technologies for the development and wellbeing of society. It really can be considered a showcase for ‘the magic world of metalworking’, as highlighted in the slogan chosen for EMO MILANO 2021,” continued UCIMU.

Luigi Galdabini, General Commissioner of EMO MILANO 2021, stated: “The expectations of sector operators are very high as a testament to the firm intention of the manufacturing world to return to normality. Indeed, many applications to exhibit have already been received by the Secretariat Office and we expect these to further intensify over the next few weeks, as vaccine distribution becomes more widespread and available to the global population.”

“Operators are hoping to return to normality in the next few months. However, this should be matched with a strong focus on COVID-19 safety and containment plans. The safety protocols have already been well-established, as they were put into practise for BI-MU (an exhibition organised by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE in October 2020 during the pandemic),” added UCIMU.

“According to forecasts by Oxford Economics, after the big fall registered in 2020, the year 2021 should bring about a recovery in machine tool consumption worldwide. It is expected to grow to 62.7 billion euros (Asia: 35 billion euros, +16.2%; Europe 16 billion euros, +13.3% and the Americas 11 billion euros, +14.5%). Single countries should experience a recovery in demand, which is likely to continue in 2022 and 2023. As far as Europe is concerned, in 2021 both Italy (3.1 billion euros, + 10.1%) and Germany (4.9 billion euros, +8.7%) should again see investment growth in production technologies. The growth trend has also been confirmed for both countries in the two-year period 2022-2023,” explained UCIMU.

“The Italian Government has set up special fiscal incentives, which consist of tax credits of up to 50% for Italian companies investing in new machine tools, robots, automation systems, Industry 4.0 and digital technologies in 2021 and 2022. This is a great business opportunity for exhibitors all over the world,” it added.

Several side initiatives, designed to make the most of manufacturers’ presence in Milan during EMO MILANO 2021, have also been announced.

EMO Digital has particular relevance: it features a display and demonstration area dedicated to the potential of digital technologies for the manufacturing world. The Start-Up area will highlight the role of start-ups for a sector whose strong point is innovation.

With Speakers’ Corner, a type of arena set up in one of the exhibition halls, EMO MILANO 2021 will combine its exhibition with thematic, in-depth cultural analysis. This has been developed as a programme of conferences on specific topics and side events that will host discussions with opinion leaders as well as technology presentations related to the sector. The main players in these events, which are mainly aimed at visitors, will also be exhibitors who can be involved through special initiatives, insight opportunities focused on issues linked to the world of manufacturing and through ad hoc meetings to encourage expertise sharing.

After EMO’s editions in Germany in 2023 and 2025, the event will again take place in Italy in 2027 (alternating between Milan and Hanover). For further details, see www.emo-milan.com