INDUSTRY NEWS Get ready for Blechexpo / Schweisstec in 2025
Preparations are running at full bore for the 17th Blechexpo international trade fair for sheet metal working and the 10th Schweisstec international trade fair for joining technology . The trade fair duo will bring specialists from sheet metal working and joining technology together from 21-24 October 2025 in Stuttgart , Germany . Numerous highlights throughout the event will include the ‘ best ’ Award , a congress , a forum and a career day .
Once every two years , the trade fair duo features various topics covering all aspects of thermal and mechanical sheet metal processing , along with system peripherals including controllers and software , as well as solutions for handling and quality assurance . 1256 exhibitors from 38 countries were on-site in nine halls for four days in 2023 .
Congress and awards
“ The sense of anticipation is already extremely positive once again ,” announced show promoter , P . E . Schall . “ Many exhibitors from 2023 have already seized the opportunity of reserving booth floor space for 2025 . Preparations are already underway for a follow-up to last autumn ’ s supplementary programme , and the ‘ best-Award ’ is entering its second round .”
“ On 23 October 2025 , the industry can look forward to a special highlight at Blechexpo / Schweisstec in Stuttgart : the ‘ best CONGRESS ’. This congress will take place in the VIP area at the East Entrance of Messe Stuttgart and will bring together internationally recognised experts to discuss the topic of ‘ Artificial intelligence and the future of sheet metal processing / joining technology ’,” it continued .
The congress offers participants the opportunity to familiarise themselves with innovative applications for AI technologies and their potential in manufacturing , to exchange best practice and prepare for future challenges in the industry in a practical way .
The ‘ best Award ’, presented at Blechexpo / Schweisstec ( with trade media partners , MM Maschinenmarkt and Blechnet ), highlights outstanding innovations and their development teams in five categories , which are based on the thematic hall layout . A jury of experts will decide on winners in the individual categories and present the awards at a festive ceremony at the end of the first day of the trade fair ( Tuesday 21 October 2025 ). Participation is reserved exclusively for exhibitors ; the submissions portal opened on 1 November 2024 .
Sheet metal , pipes and profiles
Sheet metal , pipe and profile processing will be located in halls 1 , 3 , 5 and 7 . Halls 4 and 6 are reserved for stamping technologies . Cutting , joining and fastening technologies will be presented in hall 9 . Hall 8 will focus on pressing and forming technologies . Steel and metal services , as well as surface finishing technology , will be promoted in hall 10 .
“ The sheet metal working industry is facing major challenges — increased energy efficiency , conservation of resources and costeffectiveness . Future viability and existential competitiveness are at stake . This is why attention is once again being focused on the topics of digitalisation and automation to optimally organise processes and compensate for the shortage of qualified personnel ,” said PE Schall .
Blechexpo / Schweisstec is organised by Schall Messen . n
www . blechexpo-messe . de
Biele Group acquires KBD Automation GmbH
Biele Group , a manufacturer of turnkey projects for automated production plants based in Spain , has acquired a majority stake in KBD Automation GmbH , based in Cologne ( Germany ). KBD Automation ’ s activity focuses on the development of specialised engineering projects in packaging lines .
Biele Group consists of five companies : Biele ( Azpeitia , Gipuzkoa ); Marrodán y Rezola ( Navarrete , La Rioja ); Biele Digital ( San Sebastián , Gipuzkoa ); Biele USA ( Atlanta , Georgia ) and Biele China ( Kunshan , Jiangsu ). It employs more than 350 people .
The operation , for which Biele Group has had the legal and financial advice of Agem Consultores Russell Bedford , is part of the strategic plan of the Gipuzkoan firm with which it intends to strengthen its position in Central Europe . The integration of KBD Automation into Biele Group complements the technical structure of the group and will allow it to provide services more closely to customers in Central Europe , while also accessing potential suppliers based in that region .
“ The Biele Group portfolio on metal packing lines ( including plate and quality control packing lines , coil packing lines , slit packing lines and stack packing lines will be now expanded with new technological solutions ,” confirmed the Group . n
www
. biele . com www . schweisstec-messe . de https :// kbd-automation . de
14 | ismr . net | ISMR November 2024