Closing report AMB 2026: A look back at Stuttgart’s machining showcase

AMB 2026, the trade fair dedicated to metalworking, concluded on 19 September. Here is Messe Stuttgart’s assessment of the event.

Around 65,000 visitors from 76 countries and 1,195 exhibitors from 34 countries attended the five-day AMB exhibition for technical discussions and to develop business relationships, according to the organiser. It reported an increase in the quality of visitors and discussions, with around 68 percent of visitors involved in purchasing decisions.

For Messe Stuttgart, the results send a positive signal for Baden-Württemberg and the metalworking industry. Roland Bleinroth, President of Messe Stuttgart, commented: “This year’s AMB once again demonstrated impressively how important it is for the industry. The encouraging visitor numbers, increased international participation and even greater decision-making authority among visitors make this particularly clear!”

Bleinroth added that AMB was a place not only for discussions, but also for investment and decisions. According to the organiser, a sense of renewed momentum was evident in the halls from the first day. Alongside the exhibition, a range of programme formats, networking opportunities and the AMB Stage provided an extensive supporting programme.

International attendance and the second AMB Awards

Around 14 percent of visitors held executive, company management or plant management positions, compared with ten percent in 2024. A further 35 percent worked in manufacturing, production or quality control. Visitors gave the event an overall rating of 1.7 on the German grading scale, supporting its position as a major European trade fair.

International visitors accounted for around 22 percent of attendance. Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia were particularly well represented.

Eight companies received AMB Awards for their innovations. Around 50 nominated companies competed in the second edition of the awards, with prizes presented in six categories and two special categories on the AMB Stage on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The eight AMB Award winners for 2026 were:

• Machine tools and manufacturing systems: Index-Werke

• Precision tools: Zecha Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation

• Metrology and quality assurance: Renishaw

• Software and digitalisation: AutonomIQ technologies

• Automation and handling technology: Zell Group

• Components, assemblies and operating materials: 3nine

• Special award for sustainability: Citizen Machinery Europe

• Jury’s special award: Paul Horn

• Industry perspectives on AMB 2026

Dr Markus Heering, Executive Director of the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW): “AMB clearly demonstrated how innovative and solution-oriented our industry is. In a challenging market environment, we observed considerable confidence, intensive discussions and a strong willingness to advance new technologies and business opportunities.”

Guido Reimann, Deputy Managing Director of VDMA Software and Digitalisation: “AMB once again proved a valuable platform for us, characterised by a consistently positive atmosphere and intensive dialogue with our member companies and partners. The exhibition demonstrated that software and digitalisation have long been integral to industrial manufacturing.”

Oliver Gühring, Chairman of the Executive Board of Gühring : “Economic conditions are currently challenging for many companies. This makes events such as AMB all the more important. Decision-makers, customers and partners meet here in person, discuss challenges openly and develop solutions together. The motto ‘Where Metal Comes Alive’ was therefore particularly fitting.”

Markus Horn, Managing Director of Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrik Paul Horn: “We look back on five days of engaging discussions, new contacts and intensive exchanges with our customers, visitors and partners. We also received positive feedback on the live machining demonstrations at our stand.”

Dr Jochen Kress, Managing Director of Mapal Dr. Kress, Aalen: “We value AMB highly because it takes place at the heart of the machining industry and enables direct dialogue with the sector. The exhibition was very promising. We held intensive discussions with existing customers and long-standing partners.”

Philipp Ehrhardt, Managing Director of Römheld: “The considerable openness to forward-looking, smart solutions and the quality of discussions with customers and partners left us feeling very positive. We are seeing a clear upturn in the market and look to the future with optimism.”

Carlo Buck, Head of Market Region Central Europe, United Machining: “AMB 2026 offers a positive outlook. The strong visitor turnout and considerable interest in our five world premieres exceeded our expectations. The numerous informed discussions and specific project enquiries were particularly valuable.”

Stefan Nitsche, Director International Sales, Hainbuch: “AMB in Stuttgart is truly a home fixture for us. As an innovative Swabian family-owned company with an international focus, we are delighted to welcome our customers and partners from around the world in person.”

Marcus Kurringer, Head of Marketing, Gebr. Heller Maschinenfabrik: “AMB is and remains one of the most important leading trade fairs for the European machine tool market. It offers a unique platform for discussing future technologies with customers and prospective customers and allowing them to experience innovations first-hand.”

Marco Casanova, CEO of Yamazaki Mazak Deutschland: “AMB 2026 was a complete success. Under the motto ‘The Power of Mazak’, we were able to present innovative manufacturing technologies and celebrate a European premiere with our new products, the CP-450 automation solution and the latest generation of our lathe.”

The next AMB is planned for around mid-September 2028, in keeping with its usual two-year cycle.

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