SHOW REPORT
Right and below : Scenes from BIEMH 2024 .
projects . The VIP Buyers Programme secured the presence of senior decision-makers from leading global companies . Mexico was the guest country , and was represented by its ambassador to Spain , His Excellency Mr . Quirino Ordaz ,” it added .
The Hosted Buyers ’ Programme , a major attraction of BIEMH , is supported by Basque Trade & Investment and the Basque Government . It guarantees the presence of hundreds of strategic professionals with whom exhibitors can meet . Around 300 senior decision-makers from leading global companies in 23 countries ( and a range of industry sectors ) were part of the programme this year .
Important business deals were closed and first steps taken on new collaborative projects at BIEMH . As part of the Open Meetings ( detailed below ), 4,355 interviews were held between exhibiting companies and buyers .
Open meetings and talks
BIEMH 2024 also featured a varied programme of activities , including networking spaces and a series of BIEMH Talks over three days . As part of BIEMH ’ s Open Meetings , 4,355 interviews were held between exhibiting companies and buyers . This year around 300 executives from 23 countries took part , representing major automotive ; aeronautics ; aerospace ; railway ; energy ; steel and capital goods companies , among others .
The 32nd edition of BIEMH was particularly dynamic with a full speaker programme . Among the activities were analyses from international experts in the BIEMH Talks , the brand around which the different conferences at BIEMH were brought together for the first time : ‘ Digital ’, ‘ Automation & Robotics ’ and ‘ Additive Talks ’. BIEMH Talks brought together international experts to delve into the trends , challenges and solutions in automation , robotics , additive manufacturing and digitalisation .
“ The BIEMH Talks provided many hours of analysis and reflection on hot industry topics , as well as coming to interesting conclusions . In additive manufacturing and 3D printing , it was emphasised that innovation is playing a key role and many of its processes are already at a very mature stage , focused on what customers need , so the take-off of this sector in the next decade will be impressive ,” outlined BEC .
“ In automation and robotics , the emphasis was on the fact that robotics and artificial intelligence must understand each other and collaborate , highlighting the need to implement projects linked to robotics where cadence , precision , efficiency and improved safety at work are a reality . The sessions on digitalisation highlighted the potential of AI for planning , sequencing and synchronising value chains and the strategic use of data . In total , 170 speakers participated in the conferences , including members of the BeDIGITAL Innovation Workshops , which attracted close to 1,000 interested professionals ,” it continued .
Tours , events and awards
The BIEMH Tours offered several 45-minute guided tours of BEC ’ s halls . Participants experienced the industry ’ s latest technology first-hand through the ‘ Big Machines Tour ’, ‘ Automation & Robotics Tour ’ and ‘ Innovation Tour ’.
‘ Women in Industry ’ also held events at PWN Bilbao and a conference on the USA , held by Basque Trade & Investment , was also
a feature of BIEMH 2024 . Social activities included the ‘ Get Together ’ meeting for exhibitors on the first day , a reception for visitors at the BIC in Barakaldo on the second day and BIEMH Fest , held in central Bilbao .
Innovation enjoyed one of its moments in the sun during the award ceremony for the 15th National Innovation Awards in Advanced and Digital Manufacturing , which were organised by AFM Cluster with the support of BEC and Beaz ( Biscay ’ s innovation agency ). This year , the awards went to ONA EDM , SAMYLABS and FAGOR AUTOMATION . The event was presided over by Ainara Basurko , Provincial Councillor for Economic Development of the Provincial Council of Biscay .
BIEMH 2026 will take place from 2-6 March 2026 , back to its usual place in the trade show calendar .
BIEMH is supported by the Basque Innovation Agency ‘ Innobasque ’ as its Innovation Partner and SPRI-Basque Government as its Institutional Partner . It is organised by AFM ; Machine Tool Manufacturers ; AIMHE ; Machine Tools Importers and Bilbao Exhibition Centre . WORKinn Talent Hub also enjoys the sponsorship of Jobbe-Evolus Group , with the Provincial Council of Biscay and Lanbide , Basque Employment Service , as Institutional Partners .
BeDIGITAL is supported by Digitalentu , Kaizen Institute and MathWorks as Gold Sponsors and FI Group , Irontec , Kuik ! and Oreka i . t . as Silver Sponsors . Gaia , Association of Knowledge and Technology Industries of the Basque Country , is its Collaborator and the Provincial Council of Biscay is its Institutional Sponsor . Air Liquide is the Gold Sponsor of AdditεD . n
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ISMR July / August 2024 | ismr . net | 19