GrindingHub, the first edition of the new leading trade fair and the center for grinding technology, will be held from 17 to 20 May 2022 in Stuttgart. It is scheduled to be run every two years by the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), Frankfurt am Main, in cooperation with Messe Stuttgart and the “Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technology” industry sector of Swissmem (Association of the Swiss Mechanical, Electrical and Metal Industries) as promotional supporter. “We’re really looking forward to the launch of this three-way team effort,” said Stephan Nell, Managing Director of the major Swiss grinding machine manufacturer United Grinding in Bern. “The industry is growing strongly and needs a suitable international shop window to showcase its expertise and technical innovations. The proposal they presented for the GrindingHub fair had me convinced immediately,” he affirmed.
The new industry hub for grinding technology holds a great deal of potential thanks to its international orientation and its location in Stuttgart, which is central and easily accessible from all over the world. The organisers are part of a worldwide network, which includes Messe Stuttgart (numerous foreign agencies), the VDW (experience in organising EMO Hannover and METAV as well as contacts in the associations of all major manufacturing nations), and Swissmem (also with significant experience in organising joint stands at metalworking trade fairs all over the world). “The concentrated expertise of the organisers considerably raises the new GrindingHub’s chances of success,” said a convinced Jürgen Hauger, Sales Director at Vollmer Werke in Biberach.
The main areas of the GrindingHub will be Technology / Processes, Productivity, Automation and Digitalisation in Grinding Technology. There are also plans to present special solutions in show areas. “VDW and Messe Stuttgart combine in-depth industry know-how with extensive trade fair experience to offer a fully integrated concept. This includes sales, international marketing and media relations, the establishment of wide-reaching communication channels and the integration of international media partners,” said Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart, outlining the advantages of the new GrindingHub. The two partners have already enjoyed successful trust-based collaboration over many years, be it at the AMB in Stuttgart, the AMB Iran or the Moulding Expo, explained Bleinroth. The first step towards internationalisation has already been taken by bringing Swissmem on board as the institutional patron. “Switzerland is a big player in the field of grinding technology,” said Christoph Blättler, Secretary General Machine Tool Manufacturers at Swissmem, explaining his commitment. “That’s why we’re so pleased to be involved in this future-oriented concept, to be contributing our experience in the global trade fair business and to be inputting fresh ideas,” he affirmed.
The event concept includes a digital dimension and a supplementary web conference in the odd-numbered years. “Modern trade fair concepts also have to offer online formats which allow exhibitors to increase their international reach and generate greater visibility,” said Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, Executive Director of the VDW. Messe Stuttgart and VDW have already gained extensive experience in the use of digital formats. “Responsible for implementing the digital part of the fair is IndustryArena – a further partner with a wide range of experience and more than half a million registered users all over the world, meaning that it already has a large and highly production-savvy pool of users to draw on,” said Schäfer, outlining another advantage.
All the partners are convinced that the GrindingHub will be uniquely equipped as a trade fair to meet the future challenges in the industry. 23 market leaders in the grinding technology industry have committed themselves to taking part in the first edition of the new event. These are Agathon, Anca, Blaser Swisslube, Buderus Schleiftechnik, Danobat-Overbeck, DVS Group, DVS Tooling, Emag, Geibel&Hotz, Haas Schleifmaschinen, Hembrug, Isoma, Kapp-Niles, Liebherr Verzahntechnik, Naxos-Diskus, Präwema, Reishauer AG, Rollomatic, Saacke, Supfina, Tschudin, United Grinding, Vollmer.
“The clear support shown by the companies which took part in the meeting where the concept was introduced is an indication of how the Stuttgart-based trade fair approach meets with the full approval of the industry,” said Roland Bleinroth afterwards. “We are delighted by this commitment and feel sure we’ll be able to offer a highly attractive event for the grinding industry from 2022 onwards,” added Wilfried Schäfer.
