AI and automation for greater competitiveness

The main focus was on automation and artificial intelligence, which have once again found their way into industrial processes as drivers of production efficiency.

Technology, information, exchange, international networking and cooperation - this is what EMO has stood for for 50 years. More than 1,600 exhibitors from 45 countries and a diverse supporting programme presented a wealth of solutions for modernizing and upgrading production.

"Smart and impressive technical solutions are available in abundance. This EMO has convincingly demonstrated this," says Carl Martin Welcker, General Commissioner of EMO 2025. "In order for them to take effect, the investment booster must finally ignite. Many projects are in the pipeline after three years of investment restraint, but the uncertainty of the political framework conditions continues to put the brakes on investment," says Welcker.

Confidence is already on the rise abroad, particularly outside Europe. In the visitor survey, more than 60 percent of visitors from abroad stated that they intend to invest. In Germany, the figure is less than half. This corresponds with the current trend in foreign orders in the German machine tool industry, which rose by 6% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Demand from Germany fell by 22 percent in the same period. Nevertheless, EMO exhibitors are reporting sales. Norbert Teeuwen, Managing Director of Okuma Europe, says: "Open Possibilities - this is exactly what EMO and Okuma have in common. Our presence at the trade fair was a complete success - three machines were sold directly from the stand to enthusiastic customers. EMO is always a highlight for us."

Automation is a hot topic in the industry

The big topic in the industry is automation. Costs and a shortage of skilled workers are the drivers. 50 percent of the visitors surveyed are interested in how they can use automation to make their production more productive. "Automation is omnipresent here and makes a big difference," says Aaron Morrill, CNC mechanic from the USA. The importance of using robots is growing, as the 140 or so robot manufacturers at EMO impressively demonstrate. Klaus Winkelmann, CEO of Fanuc Europe, says: "We also see that robots will become increasingly important in the machine tool industry. Industrial robots will also coexist with human operators. They will offer the most efficient solutions in the future."

Interfaces to digitalization and sustainability

More than a third of trade visitors want to learn more about digitalization and AI. "We see the added value of AI in the processes in which all possibilities for processing data from the sensors are used. AI is useful for this and improves quality in the factory," says Jan Otoupakik, CEO of 4dot Mechatronics, a start-up from the Czech Republic. This was also reflected in the popularity of the P.O.P Talks, which were held daily on the Innovation Stage, which was set up centrally for the first time and highlighted numerous aspects of AI in production.

Automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence ensure higher productivity, efficiency and quality. This also increases sustainability in production, for example by promoting energy and material efficiency. Sustainability is a high priority in research and among young talent. "We are working on various solutions. One very important example is reducing the energy consumption of production systems, for example through the flow of coolant, in order to use only as much coolant as necessary and not as much as possible. That was the strategy in the past. As a result, we can save up to 95 percent of pump energy, electrical energy and up to 60 percent of the total energy consumption of the production system. So that's a big step," says Professor Berend Denkena from Leibniz Universität Hannover.

Top platform for international managers

Once again, EMO has proven to be a top platform for managers and buyers. In the visitor survey, more than half of the respondents stated that they belonged to top management or middle management. They also have the decision-making authority for procurement.

Overall, 93 percent of visitors achieved their visit objectives. 98 percent rated the EMO as very good to satisfactory. This is also reflected in the exhibitors' assessment. Irene Bader, Managing Director of the German-Japanese company DMG Mori, sums it up: "What we presented at EMO 2025 is a glimpse into the future of manufacturing. The enthusiasm and valuable feedback from our customers have once again shown us how important personal interaction is for real innovation." And German Wankmiller, CEO of Grob-Werke, adds: "We are satisfied with the overall course of this year's EMO and positively surprised despite the current challenging market situation. The number of visitors and the quality of the discussions were consistently positive and have given us important impetus for the coming months."

"Once again, EMO has succeeded in bringing together the international market leaders in metalworking and addressing the new topics in industrial production," concludes Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of EMO organizer VDW. "It has thus consolidated its position as the world's leading trade fair and trend barometer," he sums up.