Upcoming Trade Shows Milan, Italy for Metal Working Industries

The metalworking industry has always been a big contributor to Milan’s economy and has left a strong mark on Italy’s economic development. Milan remains active in the sector and supports its local players through high-profile events; namely EMO MILANO. The recent 2021 edition has demonstrated quick recovery post COVID (over 60,000 attendees from 91 countries) and put Milan back into global conversations concerning metalworking innovations. The event had a high international turnout, with foreign exhibitors accounting for 60% of the show and foreign visitors comprising 30% of attendees. EMO MILANO featured over 3,500 state-of-the-art machines across 100,000 square meters with a total estimated value exceeding €500 million. This year’s event spanned the full spectrum of metalworking technologies from metal forming and cutting to robotics, mechatronics and additive manufacturing. Key highlights included the EMO Digital section, focused on advanced digital solutions transforming metalworking; EMO Additive Manufacturing, a dedicated space for 3D printing and related technologies; and EMO Start-Up, which showcased emerging companies developing innovative metalworking solutions. The setup afforded Milan companies to fully show off their advanced offerings and solutions to an eager foreign audience. However, the biggest asset for Milan’s metalworking industry were there 1,200 targeted meetings to connect international buyers with Italian metalworking firms, organized by MAECI and the ICE-Italian Trade Agency in cooperation with UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE. The initiative sparked numerous potential collaborations and expanded Italian manufacturers’ reach into new markets. A delegation from Turkey and specialized business missions helped bolster Milan’s reputation as a crucial meeting point for global metalworking innovation. The event's reach extended to young talents as well, as 1,300 students, including university and technical school attendees, explored the exhibition. These young visitors represent the future workforce of the metalworking industry, and signed up to guided tours to get the lay of the land.