Grinding technology Grinding Hub 2026 preview highlights innovation amid market challenges

The countdown to Grinding Hub 2026 is on. The preview event offered a glimpse of an industry focused on progress — from digitalisation and automation to the debut of Grinding Hub Americas in 2027.

Gearing up for Grinding Hub 2026: Two months before the start of the trade fair, the digital preview provided a compact insight into trends, innovations and the event’s international focus. With over 430 exhibitors from 28 countries, the trade fair taking place from May 5 to 8 in Stuttgart is once again sending out a powerful message to the industry: Despite falling production and export figures, grinding technology remains highly innovative, and Grinding Hub is positioning itself as the central platform for the industry.

The economic conditions remain challenging, as recent statistics show. German production of grinding, honing, lapping and polishing machines reached 626 million euros in the first three quarters of 2025 — down 15 percent from the same period of the previous year. The downturn was particularly pronounced in exports, which fell by 25 percent to 456 million euros. In contrast, domestic sales developed positively, growing to a volume of 170 million euros between January and September 2025 — a 33 percent increase. Incoming orders tapered off toward the end of 2025, with the annual balance closing with a 5 percent deficit. The domestic market in particular was significantly weaker, whereas exports remained largely stable. “The numbers clearly show that the industry is navigating a challenging environment. Yet, we are also seeing strong innovation momentum across many companies. In times like these, the sector needs guidance, avenues for information sharing, and tangible business opportunities — which is exactly what Grinding Hub delivers,” says Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of VDW and organizer of Grinding Hub.

International participation continues at all-time high

More than 430 exhibitors — from start-ups to global giants — have confirmed their spots at Grinding Hub. The preview was a chance for the companies to provide a sneak peek into their trade fair appearance.* Across three halls at Messe Stuttgart, exhibitors from Germany, China, Switzerland and Italy in particular will present their innovations from every stage of the valued chain — from grinding machines and abrasives, process peripherals and software solutions, to measuring and testing technology. “Grinding Hub is so much more than just a product show. It is the international stage for grinding technology and a place where partnerships are forged, investments are prepared and future technologies are set in motion,” emphasizes Heering. The fact that Switzerland is one of the most strongly represented countries among the exhibitors highlights the importance of grinding technology for its industry at home. “Grinding machines make up around a fifth of Swiss machine tool exports. This underscores the critical role of such technology for our member companies,” says Christoph Blättler from Swissmem, the association for the Swiss technology industry. “The Grinding Pavilion Switzerland gives smaller companies in particular an efficient way to shine at the trade fair.”

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In addition to discussing this year’s event in Germany, Sebastian Esswein, member of the Executive Board of Messe Stuttgart, also provided an outlook on the international expansion of Grinding Hub during the preview. The very first Grinding Hub Americas will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, from May 18 to 20, 2027. “With next year’s Grinding Hub Americas, we are setting up the first and only specialist trade fair in North America dedicated exclusively to grinding technology,” says Esswein. “The great thing about Cincinnati is its prime location at the heart of key production clusters, particularly for the automotive and aerospace industries — keeping us close to the market and allowing us to create a new platform tailored precisely to the needs of the industry.”

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