In addition, GrindTec, the international trade fair for tool machining and tool grinding, will now enrich the trade fair network. New products, sophisticated technology and complex services from the metalworking industry as well as the supplier and tool sector are the focus of the industrial trade fairs. With its innovative, high-performance and international range of exhibits, the trade fair alliance is the first important industry get-together of the year.

For four days, Intec, Z and GrindTec will transform the Leipzig exhibition grounds into a 50,000 square meter workbench with 821 exhibitors from 29 countries. "We are looking forward to the comeback of our industrial trade fairs with great anticipation. We have succeeded in putting together a strong trade fair network with renowned innovative exhibitors from Germany and abroad and an extensive, attractive range of products and services. After the pandemic-related break and with all the current challenges, this is a great message," says Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe. "Our trade fair alliance with Intec, Z and GrindTec is the ideal platform for discovering the industry's innovations at the start of the year, initiating business and driving projects forward."

The Fachverband der Präzisionswerkzeugmechaniker e. V. (FDPW) is the technical sponsor of GrindTec. Uwe Schmidt, President of the FDPW, explains: "Automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence - these are the topics that we will and must deal with intensively at GrindTec. Because they are also part of our response to the shortage of skilled workers. Where there is a shortage of specialists, the intelligent machine, the self-learning system, will help us to ensure that we can continue to make our work processes efficient, profitable and error-free in the future - with less manpower. We are also eagerly awaiting the latest developments in the field of laser tool processing - especially for hard and ultra-hard cutting materials. Let us surprise you with an ever-improving process that processes materials with high precision and without thermal damage."

Mapping the entire metalworking value chain

Many technology leaders from the machine tool industry, renowned suppliers of precision tools, specialists for automation solutions, innovative suppliers and well-known providers of tool processing systems will be present at this year's trade fair. The range of products and services at Intec consists in particular of machine tools, machine components, tools and clamping devices as well as production automation and robotics - a range of new solutions and smart enhancements await visitors.

Z specializes in innovative and flexible supplier services for the industry - it offers suppliers of the lower and medium production stages as well as industrial service providers a tailor-made platform for their positioning on the market. The focus of GrindTec is on grinding machines, tool processing systems, their automation and abrasives. "The trade fair trio offers an even more diverse and specialized range of products for the grinding technology sector. This creates synergy effects for our exhibitors and visitors. Our trade fair trio covers the entire metalworking value chain," says Ulrike Lange, Project Director of Intec, Z and GrindTec.

Strong base in the core region and international appeal

All the major German mechanical engineering centers are once again strongly represented in Leipzig. Most exhibitors come from Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. Once again, many companies from the core region have registered for their "home game" - they form the backbone of the trade fair network: 237 exhibitors from Central Germany alone are taking part.

The trade fair association also demonstrates its international appeal: twelve percent of Intec exhibitors come from abroad - for example from Italy, Austria, Switzerland and China. The proportion of international exhibitors at the supplier fair is 35 percent. In addition to Germany, numerous Z exhibitors come from the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy. Exhibitors from twelve countries are coming to GrindTec - including China, Austria and Switzerland.

Specialist program addresses forward-looking topics

The practical specialist program also helps to find answers to the questions surrounding the transformation of the industry. One example of this is the special show and specialist forum "Additive manufacturing - evolution of a modern technology" in Hall 3, in which companies such as FIT, Mark3D and METROM Mechatronic Machines will be taking part.

The advancing automation and digitalization of production require the targeted use of innovative sensor technology. As part of the special show and the specialist forum "Sensor technology - use and prospects in production" in Hall 2, suppliers and users can exchange information on current solutions and future trends in this key industrial technology

The topic of "Value creation through hydrogen" will be addressed for the first time at the trade fair trio. A special show and a specialist forum will focus on the market potential of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies - and provide impetus on how the supplier industry and the mechanical and plant engineering sector can align production with the new field of application. The reference factory.H2 developed by the Fraunhofer IWU, for example, will be presented as part of this format.

On the pulse of transformation

The third edition of the Industry's Hidden Champions Conference will be held on March 7, 2023 under the title "On the Pulse of Transformation - World Market Leaders in Uncertain Times?". Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig, whose ministry is organizing the conference as part of the trade fair association, says: "Increasingly diverse, far-reaching challenges such as climate change, the energy price crisis, raw material shortages and disrupted supply chains require strong resilience. Hidden champions are particularly successful in recognizing and tackling change at an early stage. The conference provides an insight into the secrets of success of these global market leaders."

Establishing contacts across national borders

International business partnerships will once again be initiated at the Leipzig trade fair network this year: Saxony Economic Development Corporation is hosting the international cooperation forum "Welcome to Saxony" on March 7, 2023. Delegations from countries including Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Kazakhstan are expected to attend the forum.

On 8 March 2023, the 15th edition of the CONTACT Business Meetings will take place at the Messetrio - organized by the Saxon network partners of the Enterprise Europe Network and the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Around 170 participants from 21 countries - for example from Italy, Poland and Slovenia - have registered.

Best precision tool grinder of the year is determined

The specialist program at GrindTec 2023 covers the many facets of tool machining with various themed areas. In the GrindTec FORUM, visitors will receive first-hand information in presentations.

The five finalists in the TOOLGRINDER CHALLENGE competition, which will be held live at GrindTec in Hall 5 on March 8, 2023, will have to program a predetermined workpiece and process it on the Multigrind Radical competition machine from main sponsor Adelbert Haas. At the end of the final, it will be decided who is the best precision tool grinder of the year.

But not only tool grinders compete at the trade fair: Exhibitors were able to apply for the GrindTec INNOVATION AWARD in advance. A jury will honor the innovative, sustainable products, processes and services. The award will be presented on March 8, 2023 in the GrindTec FORUM.

Focus on skills shortage and recruiting young talent

The acute shortage of skilled workers and the challenges of recruiting young talent will be explicitly addressed as part of this year's trade fair trio: The Innovation Association for Mechanical Engineering Saxony VEMASinnovativ, the Saxony Industrial Association and Leipziger Messe are organizing the Skilled Workers' Day on 10 March 2023 under the motto "Young talent meets industry". The aim is to get pupils and students interested in technical professions. Companies including N+P Informationssysteme, Profiroll Technologies and SITEC will be providing information about job opportunities.