NexGeM 2027: New Trade Fair for Digitalization in Machine Tool Manufacturing

<p>Digitalization has long reached metal processing – yet so far there has been no stage where machine manufacturing and the IT world actually come together. With NexGeM, the VDW is creating exactly this meeting point from 2027 onwards: parallel to the HANNOVER MESSE, the new event will demonstrate how networked machine tools will shape the factory of tomorrow.</p>

<h2>New Bridge Between Machine Manufacturing and IT World</h2> <p>The Association of German Machine Tool Manufacturers (VDW) explicitly positions NexGeM – short for "Next Generation Metalworking" – not as a classical machine trade fair. It is also explicitly not intended to become a "small EMO Hannover". Instead, the new format focuses on the digital transformation of the metal-working industry and brings together two sectors that have previously mostly been presented separately at trade fairs.</p> <p>The VDW justifies the move with the increasing importance of networked systems along the entire value chain: "The machine tool is not a stand-alone solution. It is embedded in the entire digital industrial value chain, from planning to service. And yet intelligent, networked machine tools are not adequately addressed outside of a few trade fairs. We're changing that with NexGeM and bringing together companies from machine manufacturing as well as the IT and software world," the association states.</p>

<h2>Focus on Digital Transformation of Metal Processing</h2> <p>In terms of content, NexGeM aims to bundle the central topics of digital transformation in metal-working companies. The focus areas include:</p> <ul> <li>Automation and robotics in machine tool periphery</li> <li>Networking of production systems</li> <li>Software and platform solutions for manufacturing</li> <li>Data-driven processes along the entire production chain</li> </ul> <p>Using concrete use cases, the trade fair will demonstrate how these technologies can make production more efficient and economical. According to the organizers, visitors will gain practical insights into how machine manufacturing, IT and software are increasingly working together in the metal-working industry – from planning through manufacturing to service.</p>

<h3>Artificial Intelligence Only Useful in Fully Networked Factories</h3> <p>A central argument for the new platform comes from looking at artificial intelligence: According to the VDW, its potential can only be realized in a fully digitalized factory. However, this is still a major hurdle for many companies, particularly in brownfield scenarios – i.e., with existing machine parks – where digitalization is considered complex and cost-intensive. NexGeM should therefore not only show what is technologically already possible, but also how existing systems can be economically digitalized.</p>

<h2>Date and Framework: Co-located with HANNOVER MESSE</h2> <p>NexGeM takes place as a co-located event from April 5-8, 2027 in Hannover – at the same time as HANNOVER MESSE 2027, which will open its doors as the world's leading trade fair for manufacturing industry during the same period. This close coordination should give exhibitors and professional visitors the opportunity to experience both formats as part of one trade fair visit and leverage synergies between the theme worlds of Automation & Smart Manufacturing, Digital Solutions and Industrial Engineering & Supply, which are traditionally strongly represented at HANNOVER MESSE.</p> <p>For companies in machine tool manufacturing as well as for software and IT providers focusing on the manufacturing industry, this creates a new, thematically well-defined focal point that deliberately sets itself apart from established trade fairs such as EMO Hannover and instead puts the digital interface between machine and software at the forefront.</p>

<h2>Conclusion and Outlook</h2> <p>With NexGeM, the VDW is responding to a development that is already being felt throughout the industry: Today, machine tools are an integral part of digital production systems, but the networking of machine manufacturing and IT expertise required for this only takes place marginally at classical trade fairs. Whether the new event can actually close this gap will only become clear with its premiere in 2027. However, the parallel organization with HANNOVER MESSE gives NexGeM a large international audience from the start – and thus good prospects of establishing itself as a permanent platform for digitalization in machine tool manufacturing.</p>