GOLDEN GEARS IN MOTION

As EMO Hannover marks its golden anniversary this year, the world’s leading trade fair for production technology celebrates its five decades of groundbreaking breakthroughs, collaborations, and innovations. The EMO Hannover 2025 World Tour, a precursor to the show, has already set things in motion – scheduling most conferences for India and reaffirming the subcontinent’s status as one of the star players on the global stage.

Organized by the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW), EMO, since its inception in 1975, has come a long way, becoming an international powerhouse and shaping the future of metalworking worldwide.

Held every two to four years in Hanover under the motto ‘Innovate Manufacturing’, this year’s event is scheduled for September 22-26 at Hannover Exhibition Grounds. Building on its success in 2023—where it attracted 92,000 visitors and 1,850 exhibitors from 140 countries—the event is packed with exciting activities and is poised to break all previous records, driven by the EMO Hannover 2025 World Tour’s global promotions.

India’s Ascent in Motion

India’s Machine Tools and Manufacturing sector is on an aggressive growth path, with annual growth rates projected at 7 percent over the next few years. “As the country strengthens its position as a global manufacturing hub, platforms like EMO Hannover become crucial in driving international collaborations,” adds Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA India Services Pvt Ltd—India representation of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA).

Similarly, Dr Markus Heering, Executive Director, VDW, provides historical context to India’s remarkable journey, stating, “Overall, the development of India’s participation at EMO reflects the country’s rise as an industrialized nation. In the past 50 years of EMO, Indian companies participated in the event for the first time in 1977 in Hannover.”

Heering shares that there were no Indian exhibitors in 1987 and 1995, but the breakthrough came in 2005, when for the first time, 20 Indian machine tool manufacturers occupied more than 1,000 sq mt of net exhibition space. “Since then, there have never been fewer than 25 exhibitors in Hannover,” he reveals. “On the visitor side, India ranked second among EMO guests from overseas in 2023 with around 2,000 visitors.”

Implying that the country’s presence at EMO Hannover has been on an impressive growth trajectory, Nath shares, “From 31 exhibitors in 2019 to 45 in 2023, the numbers have steadily risen, reflecting the country’s expanding role in global manufacturing.” On the visitor front, interest from Indian businesses continues to grow, driven by the need for advanced automation, digital manufacturing, and precision engineering solutions to stay competitive globally.

Big Leaps, Bold Moves

The exact number of Indian exhibitors for EMO Hannover 2025 is yet to be finalized, notes Nath. However, industry estimates suggest that between 120 to 150 companies will participate. This increase reflects India’s booming manufacturing sector and its growing ambitions in championing mega trends and smart manufacturing.

“The event will see strong representation from machine tool manufacturers, component suppliers, and technology providers looking to expand their global footprint,” he mentions further. “With Europe being a key export destination, EMO Hannover offers Indian companies unparalleled networking and business opportunities to engage with global decision-makers.”

Against this backdrop, Heering follows up by stressing, “We currently have 40 registrations from Indian exhibitors. In 2023, there were 37 manufacturers. So, there is already a rise in participation. India is increasingly proving itself to be a competent supplier of production technology.”

EMO Matters

India is undoubtedly one of the most important growth markets for the German Machine Tool industry, with machine tool exports currently standing at around 15 percent, leaving ample room for expansion. Last year exports rose by 23 percent to more than €300 million. Adding to this, Heering explains, “Although orders from India were down again in the same period, falling by 14 percent, in the medium term, however, we expect very good prospects in the Indian market.”

Emphasizing that for Indian companies, EMO Hannover is more than just an exhibition; it’s a gateway to global markets, Nath stresses, “The event provides direct access to European buyers, technology partners, and industrial leaders, helping Indian manufacturers expand their export bandwidth beyond Germany into the wider European market.”

As the world’s leading trade fair for production technology, reiterates Heering, EMO is a unique platform for acquiring new customers from all over the globe and the only metalworking trade fair in the world that attracts an international audience. “Accordingly, Indian exhibitors who want to serve the global market meet visitors from 140 countries there,” he goes on. “Three quarters come from Europe, and they are all potential customers.”

In addition, Indian exhibitors have the opportunity to find new suppliers and partners. “The event fosters collaborations, joint ventures, and technology transfers, essential for scaling international business,” adds Nath. With the demand for cost-effective, high-quality engineering solutions rising, Indian companies are well-positioned to showcase their strengths in precision manufacturing, automation, and digital technologies to a global audience.

“They also can evaluate and strengthen their own market position in comparison with market competitors. Incidentally, Germany is one of the top 5 export markets for Indian manufacturers,” says Heering. “More than 350 German exhibitors at EMO 2025 alone offer outstanding buyer potential.”

Taking the Show on Road

To build momentum for EMO Hannover 2025, curtain raiser events will be organized in key Indian manufacturing hubs. The EMO Roadshow will take place from April 21-24 across multiple cities, including Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. These pre-show gatherings will feature top industrialists, thought leaders, and Government representatives discussing India’s role in the global manufacturing landscape. “VDMA and VDW will play a crucial role in facilitating these discussions, ensuring Indian companies are well-prepared to leverage EMO Hannover for business expansion and technological collaborations,” says Nath.

With increased focus on Industry 4.0, automation, and AI-driven production, Indian companies are looking at EMO as the perfect launchpad to showcase innovations, explore new markets, and solidify their presence in the European manufacturing ecosystem. “The 2025 edition is expected to be a landmark event for Indian participation,” the VDMA MD underscores.

More Than Just Machines

What makes EMO special isn’t just technology—it’s the people and stories behind it, as the present and future success both derive from the narratives which showcase human achievement coupled with advancement. That’s why, in this 50^th edition, EMO is inviting participants to share their memories and milestones. Some compelling questions in mind are: “What were your first impressions of the EMO? What highlights do you remember? What makes a visit to the trade fair special for you every time?”

The upcoming anniversary edition celebrations will include a retrospective of five decades of progress. These human stories, from first-time exhibitors to seasoned veterans, will bring a personal dimension to the otherwise high-tech environment.

Looking ahead, as the countdown to EMO Hannover 2025 begins, another important mention under the backdrop of the building global interest is how, through its showcase and presence, India readies its strongest-ever contingent, building around this golden anniversary. With the world watching and India rising, the event promises to be more than just another trade fair. It’s a celebration of the past, the present, and the thrilling potential of what’s yet to come.

Sovan Tudu Assistant Editor Magic Wand Media sovan.tudu@magicwandmedia.in

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