The 16th Blechexpo, international trade fair for sheet metal working, was successfully held together with the 9th Schweisstec, international trade fair for joining technology. 1,256 exhibitors from 38 countries in nine fully booked halls and a top-class, packed supporting program inspired 40,103 trade visitors. The “Best Award 2023” has produced many shining winners.
Exhibitors, visitors and organizers of this year’s Blechexpo/Schweisstec were predominantly very satisfied. The trade fair, which presents complete process sequences for modern and future-oriented sheet metal processing, took place from 07. took place in Stuttgart from November 10 to 10, 2023 and once again proved to be a great industry highlight where the best in the sheet metal working industry came together. “Once again, this was the kind of trade fair you want,” summarizes Georg Knauer, Project Manager of Blechexpo/Schweisstec. “Nine full halls with 1,256 exhibitors from 38 countries – it was an inspiring four days at the trade fair for everyone involved. We saw many new machines and solutions that point the way to the future of modern, sustainable sheet metal processing. And the fact that 45 percent of the exhibitors came from abroad once again proves the high global significance of Blechexpo/Schweisstec this year.”
Trend topics move all companies on their way into the future
The majority of foreign exhibitors came to Stuttgart from Italy, Switzerland, Turkey, China and the Benelux countries. Both trade visitors and media representatives from these countries showed a correspondingly high level of interest. The themes of Blechexpo/Schweisstec and the solutions for the current challenges are communicated worldwide and have an impact there. “It was clear to see that many companies are dedicated to the same tasks because this is the only way to ensure future viability and competitiveness,” Georg Knauer points out. “This includes further automation, especially of peripheral equipment, higher productivity, even better part quality, avoiding rejects, saving energy, compensating for the shortage of skilled workers, employee protection and customer service are issues that affect all companies,” says Knauer, summarizing the trending topics. “The solutions and steps we saw at the trade fair are putting the industry on the path to greater sustainability. The sheet metal industry is also becoming ‘green’ in the long term, and visitors to the trade fair were able to see for themselves that the first steps towards this goal have been taken.”
“Blechexpo/Schweisstec: You have to be here!”
Many positive exhibitor comments are proof that Blechexpo/Schweisstec is widely established as a business and communication platform. Ekkehard Fluck, Head of Sales Optical Inspection Stamping at Jenoptik, says of Blechexpo/Schweisstec: “You have to be here. It is a very important place. I say to our customers all over the world: Come here!” Ulrich Peitzmeier from Peitzmeier Maschinenbau is also convinced by this platform: “Blechexpo/Schweisstec is a very good trade fair for reaching an international audience.”
Claudia Robineau, Managing Director at Voestalpine Camtec, confirms: “We have been exhibiting at Blechexpo/Schweisstec for years. This is always a good opportunity to bring our customers together with our innovations.” Björn Erik Mai, co-founder and Managing Director of Senodis Technologies, directly agrees with this view: “Blechexpo/Schweisstec is a good opportunity for us to present ourselves here, because it brings together all the players in the industry.” Last but not least, Tommaso Bonuzzi, Sales Manager of the Salvagnini Group, also drew a positive conclusion: “It has once again been confirmed that the Blechexpo trade fair is one of the most important trade fairs for Salvagnini worldwide, and we will be there again next time.”
“Best Award 2023” provided a boost to innovation
Roland Raats, Director Sales and Service at Timersavers, also confirms that this industry meeting point is an important business platform: “Blechexpo/Schweisstec is the ideal trade fair, both in Germany and internationally, where customers look for us and find us, and where we can present our new products and innovations.”
The “Best Award 2023”, which was organized for the sixth time this year together with the bbr competitor “Blechnet” and “Maschinenmarkt”, saw happy winners in five categories – in line with the restructured hall layout.
- Senodis Technologies GmbH, J. Schmalz GmbH and Hans Schröder Maschinenbau GmbH won in the sheet metal, tube and profile processing category.
- First to third place in the Pressing and Forming Technologies category went to Raziol Zibulla & Sohn GmbH, Schuler Group GmbH and Ilariz GmbH.
- Jenoptik Optical Systems GmbH, REA Elektronik GmbH and Stampack GmbH were the winners in the Punching Technologies category.
- In the cutting, joining and bonding technologies category, the first three places were taken by Trumpf Werkzeugmaschinen SE + Co KG, Hugo Kern & Liebers GmbH & Co KG and Carl Cloos Schweißtechnik GmbH.
- In the steel, metal service and surface technology category, Peitzmeier Maschinenbau GmbH, Hans Weber Maschinenfabrik GmbH and Saint-Gobain Abrasives GmbH won over the expert jury, who had put all the entries through their paces beforehand.
Blechexpo/Schweisstec: impressive, successful – and back on the calendar
“The trade fair, the ‘Best Award’ competition and the impressive supporting program including the congress, forums and steel convention were highly impressive and very successful,” confirms Bettina Schall, Managing Director of trade fair organizer P. E. Schall. “We have seen that there is simply no substitute for being present at the large machines and exchanging technical information in person at the actual object. Blechexpo/Schweisstec 2023 once again came close to the pre-pandemic level of participation, and that is an incentive to continue on this path: clear topic structure, clear hall layout and inspiring topics for an attractive supporting program,” emphasizes Bettina Schall. “Together with all exhibitors and trade visitors, we are looking forward to the next exciting Blechexpo/Schweisstec from November 4 to 7, 2025, to which we are already cordially inviting you.”
