Successful restart of Moulding Expo

20.06.2023

Positive feedback on customer discussions with the initiation of business transactions / Personal interaction important for the industry

After a four-year break, Moulding Expo celebrated its comeback from 13 to 16 June 2023. Photo: Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH

After a four-year break, Moulding Expo was finally held again as an attended event. The International Trade Fair for Tool, Pattern and Mould Making was staged for the first time in the L-Bank Forum (Hall 1), the largest exhibition hall at Messe Stuttgart.

"We were delighted to finally stage Moulding Expo again as an attended event at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Center after a four-year break due to the corona pandemic. The L-Bank Forum (Hall 1) offered all participants an attractive market platform over a period of four days – despite more difficult general conditions with rising energy prices, supply chain bottlenecks and the war in Ukraine," said Roland Bleinroth, President of Messe Stuttgart.

Dr. Patrick Rapp, Baden-Württemberg State Secretary for Economic Affairs, visited Moulding Expo on Wednesday, 14 June 2023. Dr. Rapp obtained an extensive overview during a tour of the trade fair. 

Dr. Patrick Rapp, Baden-Württemberg State Secretary for Economic Affairs, during his visit to Moulding Expo (Dr. Patrick Rapp on the left, Roland Bleinroth on the right). Photo: Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH

"The tool, pattern and mould making industry is an absolutely essential part of our economy and is vital for the automotive, aerospace, electrical and mechanical engineering industries. Moulding Expo was an opportunity to experience in a live setting the high innovative capacity and efficiency of the industry, which are vital for future challenges," said Dr. Patrick Rapp, State Secretary in the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Economic Affairs, Employment and Tourism.

Successful comeback of Moulding Expo under one roof

After a four-year break, the desire for personal discussions could be clearly felt.

"Following the pandemic, Moulding Expo was - as a regional trade fair - the first large industry meeting point for our company. Over a period of four days we discussed new impulses with business partners and interested parties from the tool and mould making industry, presented our technologies and developments, and met visitors and exhibitors who are pursuing the same objectives in regard to innovation and advances," said Marco Reichle, Reichle Technologiezentrum GmbH.

The tool, pattern and mould making industry came together over a period of four days in the L-Bank Forum (Hall 1), the largest exhibition hall at Messe Stuttgart. Photo: Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH

The decision to move Moulding Expo to the largest exhibition hall at Messe Stuttgart proved to be correct.

"I like the wide-ranging technical perspective at Moulding Expo. All the players were present: important customers, suppliers, colleagues and trade associations. It was noticeable after four years that nothing can replace direct discussions with customers and colleagues. The concept with the industry under one roof is coherent. As things stand at present, we will come back again in 2025," said Klaus Lemke, Managing Director of Triwefo GmbH. 

With a clear focus, 375 exhibitors from 24 countries provided interested trade visitors with an extensive overview of the latest trends and innovations.

Photo: Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH

"The physical proximity to tool, pattern and mould making companies and their suppliers produced an effective concentration of specialist contacts. This then had a positive effect on the quality of the discussions. We are therefore certain that we will exhibit again at Moulding Expo in 2025," said Joachim Seele, Head of Technical Sales & BDS, GF Machining Solutions GmbH.

Trade fair makes an impression with visitors' expertise

Around 6,000 visitors came to Stuttgart. Special mention must be made of the high expertise of the visitors this year. 83 per cent of visitors were solely responsible, jointly responsible or responsible in an advisory capacity for purchasing and procurement decisions in their company. 12 per cent of visitors came from company and plant management.

"In our opinion, Moulding Expo is a leading trade fair in the tool, pattern and mould making sector. A total of 9 new products made their début here. We drew some positive conclusions and were satisfied with our attendance at the trade fair. We conducted good discussions on our exhibition stand," said Christen J. Merkle, Managing Director of AHP Merkle GmbH. 

Wehl & Partner GmbH concurred and highlighted the first-rate discussions.

"We mainly held discussions with decision-makers at Moulding Expo. The discussions often involved the direct start of a project. We also made use of the opportunity to become acquainted with new technologies. As an exhibitor right from the very beginning, we are now already looking forward to the next Moulding Expo in 2025," said Robert Wehl, CEO of Wehl & Partner GmbH.

Significant role on the European market

ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH emphasised the regional importance of Moulding Expo. "It is important to have a strong trade fair for the mould making industry in the region of southern Germany. We meet customers here from the mould making and punching technology sectors. Special mention Page 3 of 4 must be made of the connection with the region, the latest technologies that are presented at the trade fair, and the first-class trade visitors," summarised Stefan Zecha, Managing Shareholder of ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH.

The international proportion of exhibitors amounted to 36 per cent. 1 in 5 visitors came from abroad.

"Moulding Expo enabled us in a unique way to establish quick and competent contacts with existing and new customers in the German and now also European tool construction and mould making industry. In particular, the increasing number of contacts from Portugal, Austria, Turkey and Eastern Europe could be clearly seen," said Stephan Berz, Vice President of Oerlikon HRSflow Sales.

ISTMA Europe, the global partner of Moulding Expo, stressed the need for international growth.

"Something was finally happening again! We really liked the concept of the entire industry under one roof since that strongly emphasised the value of networking. Moulding Expo has now become a fantastic unifying brand bringing the tooling industry together with the potential to establish itself as a premier international event," said Bob Williamson, President of ISTMA.

Günter Hofmann presented with an honorary medal

The accompanying programme of Moulding Expo focused on innovations, practical applications, future prospects and the promotion of young people. One special programme item was the presentation of the honorary tool construction and mould making medal. These medals are traditionally presented every two years at Moulding Expo for outstanding achievements in the industry. 

The honorary tool construction and mould making medal was presented this year to Günter Hofmann (third from left). Photo: Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH

This year's prize winner was Günter Hofmann. "Moulding Expo has always been a special event. In my opinion, it has always been important for tool construction companies to exhibit at trade fairs. This year, my visit to Moulding Expo was really special. I was delighted to receive the honorary tool construction and mould making medal. This award is a great honour for me, especially when you look at the previous winners. I am pleased to be placed in this league," said Günter Hofmann, former Managing Director of Siegfried Hofmann GmbH.

Moulding Expo in the future

The next Moulding Expo will be held from 20 to 23 May 2025. 91 per cent of visitors believe that the importance of the International Trade Fair for Tool, Pattern and Mould Making will increase or remain the same in future. 

Latest news: www.moulding-expo.de