International Presence - VDW

VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) has been taking part in IMTEX regularly since the end of the 1990s, at that time in New Delhi and Bombay. Since 2004 there has been a successful joint participation between the association and the Indo German Chamber of Commerce (AHK).

“IMTEX 2025 & Tooltech 2025 is an excellent platform for intensifying collaboration with the Indian industry and with our Indian customers. That includes selling machines as well as entering into cooperations. VDW and the German exhibitors are looking forward to a professional dialogue with both, existing and new customers,” Klaus-Peter Kuhnmünch, Manager, General Affairs, VDW. 

He adds that the modern Bangalore International Exhibition Centre offers first-class conditions for hosting the event. “The expansion of the exhibition centre reflects its significance. It certainly is one of the largest trade fairs in Bangalore,” he notes.

German Participation in IMTEX 2025
As in previous years, AHK India is organizing a joint German participation on the initiative of VDW. This traditionally includes state participations from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. As part of this initiative, a total of 57 German companies are showcasing their offerings at IMTEX 2025 & Tooltech 2025. Numerous other companies, particularly larger ones, are represented independently outside of the joint participation through their own exhibition stands via their Indian subsidiaries. These companies have registered directly with IMTMA. 

The German companies are aligning their technologies and machines at IMTEX 2025 with the specific needs of the Indian market and industry. Indian trade visitors are encouraged to engage with the German exhibitors and explore opportunities for cooperation and business collaboration.

The German companies are aligning their technologies and machines at IMTEX 2025 with the specific needs of the Indian market and industry. Indian trade visitors are encouraged to engage with the German exhibitors and explore opportunities for cooperation and business collaboration.

Klaus-Peter Kuhnmünch
Manager
General Affairs
German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW)

Trends in Metal Cutting Technology
According to Kuhnmünch, the challenges facing machine tool technology include maintaining high levels of accuracy and productivity, combined with a shrinking workforce, scarce skills, and increasing demands for flexibility, all while keeping costs low. “Automation plays a pivotal role, not only in handling but also in high-skilled tasks such as CNC programming and setup. Smart systems can efficiently manage repetitive and labor-intensive tasks with speed, precision, and safety,” he remarks. 

Digitization and smart manufacturing are making significant contributions in this area, he adds. Sustainability and CO2 reduction represent another global trend and a challenge to traditional business models. “However, machine tools should not be viewed solely as individual products. The influence of manufacturing—particularly in terms of quality and precision—on enhancing the efficiency of machinery and products must not be overlooked. A slight increase in energy consumption during machining could lead to substantial savings during the operational phase of the final product,” he adds further. 

Finally, numerous advancements are being made in specific areas, such as multi-process operations, additive manufacturing, laser-based machining, and sheet metal cutting. 

Views on Smart Manufacturing

According to Kuhnmünch, turning a classic machine workshop into a smart environment is no small task. He explains with the example of open interfaces for data exchange that are essential to creating new, sustainable business models that transform data into value. In this regard, VDW is actively involved in the global connectivity initiative, umati (universal machine technology interface).

“But once consistency in data across all areas of manufacturing has been established, we can start reaping the benefits. First of the benefits include achieving transparency about performance within the workshop: How are machines used, where is the user losing money due to downtime or bottlenecks? In the next step, the process chain – from CAD to CNC program to the finished part – gets smarter, as does production planning and machine utilization,” he explains. 

“Furthermore, we need accessibility of data to get automation systems up and running, aligning with assistance systems or, ideally, artificial intelligence. If we look at the complexity of our machines, as well as the fragmented structure of the manufacturing industries, it remains quite a challenge to turn this into profit, even though we already have come a long way,” he adds.

Indo-German Machine Tool Trade

India has been an important and large market for the German machine tool industry for a long time, says  Kuhnmünch. “We are convinced that the Indian market will become even more important for us. The Indian economy grows much more stronger than most other countries,” he adds.   

In 2023, exports of German machine tools to India amounted to € 250 million. This represents an increase of 28 percent compared to the previous year. In the first nine months of 2024, however, exports increased again by a remarkable 49 percent just over € 224 million. A wide range of machine types was sold in 2023, including machining centers, grinding machines, honing machines, gear cutting machines, eroding machines, laser machines, turning machines and centers, presses, milling machines and others, he shares. 

“India is currently in the 7th place among our most important customer countries worldwide. Earlier, India was in the 13th place. Almost two thirds of India's demand for machine tools is covered by imports. After China and Japan, Germany has been in the 3rd place among the most important supplier countries for machine tools to India for many years. This is followed by South Korea and Taiwan. Imports from India to Germany fell by 12 percent to € 22 million in 2023. There is stagnation in 2024. The vast majority of imports are turning machines,” reveals Kuhnmünch.

German Machine Tool Builders' Association (VDW)

www.vdw.de

Hall & Stall: 2B/C-102

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