EMO 2025 with Alliance Country Canada

Jayson Myers, CEO and Président-directeur général of NGen, the organizer of the Canadian EMO participation, says: "Because of the trouble with our difficult neighbor to the south, Canadian industrial companies are looking for new customers, new suppliers and reliable innovation partners with great enthusiasm. In the metalworking sector, we find them at EMO. We are therefore delighted to be EMO's first Alliance Partner."

EMO strengthens alliances

NGen stands for Next Generation Manufacturing Canada and is a non-profit organization based in Hamilton, Ontario. It is dedicated to the advancement of advanced manufacturing solutions. NGen is backed by a network of 11,000 members, including manufacturers, technology providers, academic and research institutions, business service providers and funders from across Canada. Myers is particularly keen to promote the manufacturing expertise of Canadian companies worldwide, not least as solution providers and technology integrators: "NGen is proud to be an EMO Alliance Country at EMO 2025. We will be representing a variety of companies with advanced technologies that can be utilized in the machine tool and metalworking sectors, as well as Canadian machine tool manufacturers seeking new customers, suppliers and innovation partners outside of North America," said the overseas CEO. "It's the right time to showcase Canada's advanced manufacturing capabilities to the world. EMO is a great opportunity for that and for Canadian companies looking to diversify their markets and supply chains in the face of tough business challenges."

Canada is an important market for the metalworking industry

Metalworking is an important sector of the Canadian economy. NGen identifies around 960 manufacturers with around 19,600 employees in the industry. 95 percent have fewer than 100 employees. According to VDW world statistics, Canadian manufacturers of production technology produce machines with a turnover of more than 600 million euros. This puts them in 15th place in the international production ranking. More than half of production is exported. The largest customer markets are the USA with a share of four fifths, followed by Mexico, China, India and Germany, all with a low single-digit share. In turn, around 77 percent of Canadian machine tool consumption is imported. With a volume of EUR 1.2 billion, the Canadian market is in 13th place in the global ranking. The most important suppliers are the USA with a share of around 30 percent, Germany and Japan with 14 and 13 percent respectively, and Italy and China with less than a tenth.

Canadians serve three focus topics - and more

Trends in the Canadian metalworking industry include greater specialization and a focus on services. This includes predictive maintenance and improving plant utilization as well as modular and flexible milling systems. With other trends such as automation for more efficient machining processes, digitalization through IIoT integration as well as energy management and sustainability, Canadian suppliers are addressing all three focus topics at EMO 2025. In addition, there are additive processes and powder-coated metals and, last but not least, the use of AI, for which manufacturers are looking for international partners. In times of digitalization and networking, cybersecurity is another key topic. "Connected CNC machines are at the heart of Industry 4.0, which is currently being implemented on a large scale by CDN manufacturers in order to optimize costs and offer market-leading products in turbulent macroeconomic times," emphasizes Scott Osmond, OT Security Advocate at Threat IQ. "Industry 4.0 is about data-driven manufacturing using real-time production monitoring, remote programming and data analysis.

However, this connectivity also exposes CNC systems to ransomware, supply chain attacks, unauthorized access and other cyber threats. A single security breach can bring production to a standstill, jeopardize proprietary designs and lead to significant financial and reputational damage. Threat IQ helps our customers protect themselves and ensure the security and continuity of their manufacturing processes," said Osmond. "Threat IQ is attending EMO Hannover to help manufacturers build cyber resilient operations. Our mission is to protect CNC systems from ever-evolving threats so that innovation, security and continuity are not compromised."

"We are delighted to welcome Canada as an EMO Alliance Country," says Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of EMO organizer VDW. "In the current turbulent times on the world market, there is huge interest in working with stable partners in the machine tool business. The fact that we can offer the Canadians an attractive platform for metalworking here will strengthen our bilateral relations," Heering is certain.