TAIWAN’S MANUFACTURING MAGNUM OPUS

Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS) in its 30^th edition came to a successful conclusion on March 8, 2025, leaving a lasting impression on the dynamic global manufacturing landscape. The six-day event, co-organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), highlighted smart manufacturing innovation in Taiwan, the amalgamation of AI and robotics, and sustainability in today’s industrial practices.

The ‘Integrate to Innovate’ theme of TIMTOS 2025 united over 1,000 exhibitors who occupied 6,100 booths at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Halls 1 & 2 and Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1. The exhibition received 4,163 international buyers from 90 countries, representing a 5.1 percent rise from the previous edition, particularly garnering significant interest from India, Japan, China, South Korea, and Malaysia—the top five buyer countries.

Leaders Chart the Course

The opening ceremony established a strong tone for the event through the attendance of distinguished guests, including Lai Ching-te, President, the Republic of China (Taiwan); Kuo Jyh-huei, Minister of Economic Affairs of Taiwan; Raymond Greene, Director, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT); Jörg Polster, Director, German Institute Taipei; and Danielle Tarnanidis, Director, Swiss Trade Office Taipei. They were joined by the leadership of organizers—James Huang, Chairman, TAITRA and David Chuang, Chairman, TAMI.

Huang, in his opening address, stressed how AI and smart manufacturing are pushing the Machinery industry of Taiwan toward transformation. “The advancement of industry depends equally on technological capabilities and the next generation of AI talent, who are the industrial pioneers of the future,” the TAITRA Chairman said. “The current global power shifts together with evolving supply chains enable Taiwan to emerge as a critical player in worldwide manufacturing through its advanced technological capacity.”

Similarly, with the stage set as such, Chuang highlighted Taiwan’s Machine Tool sector’s resilience amidst economic uncertainties in 2024. “Taiwan is leading the industry supply chain in adopting AI applications and advancing the transition to net-zero emissions, shifting the competition from price to value,” the TAMI Chairman noted.

Possibilities in New Light

The exhibition floor buzzed with cutting-edge technologies across six major industry trends: precision machine tools, key components, full-scale automation and smart manufacturing, digital twin-driven integration, additive manufacturing, and expanded cross-industry applications.

Building on this year’s theme, ‘AI & Robotics’, AI and robotics took center stage, with leading manufacturers like HIWIN Technologies Corporation, Chieftek Precision Co., Ltd (CPC), and Main Drive Corporation introducing innovative solutions for humanoid robots, including harmonic reducers and joint modules.

The keynote featured two industry visionaries—Akihiro Teramachi, CEO & Chairman, THK Co., Ltd, and Haw Chen, President, Techman Robot Inc.—in the presence of James C F Huang, Chairman, TAITRA Global (Taiwan External Trade Development Council).

Maurice Chang, Senior Director, HIWIN Technologies, explained the company’s comprehensive approach: “We shared with the audience our vision on ESG, green manufacturing, smart solutions, and AI integration. HIWIN offers high-efficiency products across numerous industries, from traditional machine tools to cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing.”

Displaying their proprietary control technology at the expo, Brad Wang, General Manager, Ching Hung Machinery & Electric Industrial Co., Ltd (CHMER), Taiwan’s largest EDM manufacturer, said, “We have developed a smart, user-friendly HMI system that incorporates functionality of AI, simplifying machine operation.” He also emphasized India as a significant strategic market for the company by pointing out, “With India becoming the world’s most populous nation, it is inevitable for domestic demand to surge, primarily in the Automotive segment and related sectors.”

Strategic Pivots Pay Off

Industry leaders discussed the evolving landscape of Taiwan’s machine tool sector, during an exclusive media conference.

In an exclusive media conference dedicated to Taiwan machine tool companies showcased their systematic and strategic approaches for handling global challenges. Taiwanese manufacturers—despite geopolitical tensions, economic turmoil, and intensified competition—are choosing to focus on three essential areas: high-end applications (such as precision machining, high-speed cutting, and multi-axis control), smart manufacturing, and green machinery systems. With these adaptations, Taiwan has established leadership in developing high-tech manufacturing technology solutions that serve some of the most critical industries, such as Semiconductors, Aerospace, Electric Vehicles, Medical Devices, and Renewable Energy.

During an interview, Richard Wang, Chairman, EARTH-CHAIN Enterprise Co., Ltd, a company that has served the market for more than four decades, emphasized Taiwan’s industrial evolution and shared his insight into global markets. “India is the future world factory, just like China before,” he noted. “There’s tremendous potential in the Indian industrial market."

Commerce in Full Swing

The show demonstrated strong business outcomes, with Fair Friend Group (FFG) reporting more than 100 successful orders spanning Automotive, Aerospace, Semiconductors, Rail Transport, and Energy sectors. Quaser Machine Tools Inc. secured NT $1 billion in orders for hydrogen energy and medical devices, while Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd entered the semiconductor market with ultrasonic machining and additive manufacturing technologies.

The procurement matchmaking event by TAITRA enabled 315 sessions between 75 international buyers from 22 different nations and 102 exhibitors. Buyers represented diverse markets, including US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, Poland, Vietnam, India, Israel, and Ukraine. Furthermore, a Cutting Tool sector-based specialized networking event brought together buyers from 14 countries. Where exhibitors like Mega Machine Co., Ltd reported a 70 percent order placement rate, with instant orders from Middle Eastern and Bulgarian customers.

The TIMTOS Keynote address brought world-class lectures to Taiwan's machine tool industry, attracting a full house.

Chris Chou, General Manager, Overseas Sales Department, Chin Fong Machine Industrial Co., Ltd, Taiwan’s largest mechanical power press manufacturer, highlighted their strategic pivot toward electric vehicle (EV) components. “In China, we have become the go-to supplier for battery cases, and we see tremendous potential to bring that expertise to India’s growing EV sector,” he asserted.

India: The Next Manufacturing Frontier

TIMTOS showcased the latest Smart Manufacturing technologies, allowing international buyers to experience the products firsthand.

During TIMTOS 2025, a notable trend was the emphasis on India, which is gradually shifting to become a major target market for Taiwanese manufacturers. The subcontinent’s current industrial expansion, together with its vast domestic supply, creates a compelling opportunity for businesses and firms to expand their operations.

CR Raguramachandran, CEO, AceMicromatic International Pvt Ltd—AceMicromatic Group’s export wing—made its inaugural appearance at TIMTOS with a clear strategy. “Like all exhibitions, TIMTOS is quite unique,” he stated. “We feel that participating here will help us reach the dealers and distributors we are targeting globally.”

Framed by these developments, Tiger Wang, General Manager, Palmary Machinery Co., Ltd, noted the strong Indian presence, commenting, “We have many customers from India visiting us at this TIMTOS. We are already well established in the Indian market.” Hinting at future possibilities, he added, “We are exploring ways to reduce costs, including potential manufacturing investment in India.”

Eye-catching robotic arms drew the attention of international buyers.

Emphasizing India’s strategic importance, Chang said, “India is a very important market globally for HIWIN.” The HIWIN Senior Director continued, “Our foundation there began with machine tools, where we have established long-term partnerships with key customers. Medical applications and smart automation are very important for us in India. With Apple Inc’s supply chain now entering India, it’s an excellent starting point for collaboration.”

Similarly, describing their expanding Indian operations, Otis Siah, Global Director, SyntecGroup, elaborated, “We have an office in Bangalore and service partners across different regions of India—Delhi, Pune, Gujarat, Coimbatore, and Chennai. SyntecGroup is offering an alternative. When I entered the Indian market, I found that machine makers had limited choices and were essentially controlled by their suppliers. Syntec brings more balanced options to the market.”

Engineering a Sustainable Future

International buyers attentively listened to exhibitors' product presentations.

The exhibition showcased environmental consciousness through numerous manufacturers and stakeholders who promoted green technologies together with sustainable industrial practices. Joey Lee, Deputy Manager, Overseas Department, Gifu Enterprise Ltd, stressed the company’s green approach towards manufacturing, citing, “Green is the future.” The company showcased an automatic tool changer (ATC), which combines sustainable manufacturing technology with advanced manufacturing solutions.

During the keynote session, key executives like Akihiro Teramachi, CEO & Chairman, THK Co., Ltd, and Haw Chen, President, Techman Robot Inc., shared crucial insights about the future of manufacturing. AI automation together with precise engineering are modernizing production workflows but simultaneously solving workforce shortage issues, according to Teramachi. Chen, on the other hand, during his presentation, demonstrated how intelligent robotic solutions are transforming cost-effectiveness and efficiency across varied industries.

Buyers from India attended TIMTOS 2025.

Blueprints for Tomorrow

A continuous stream of visitors at the TIMTOS exhibition.

The very closure of TIMTOS 2025 revealed to the world an unmistakable future and positive direction for manufacturing that perfectly unites AI, robotics, smart technologies, and sustainable practices. The exhibition also revealed Taiwan’s unique position in the field of precision manufacturing and intelligent automation as a global leader, as it employs innovative strategies combined with strategic international partnerships and alliances to overcome geopolitical changes.

TIMTOS 2025’s overwhelming success fortifies the island nation’s pivotal role in shaping the next industrial revolution while continuing to advance the integration of cutting-edge technologies into real-world and practical manufacturing solutions. As the global industry looks forward to TIMTOS 2027, the benchmark has been set high for continued innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of smarter, more sustainable manufacturing processes, backed by its previous editions’ success and experience.

MURALI SUNDARAM Correspondent Magic Wand Media Inc murali.sundaram@magicwandmedia.in

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