FACE TO FACE
With AI-based robotics such as TRUMPF’ s SortMaster Vision, manufacturing processes can be automated without the need for complex programming.
data centre volumes as well as climate change equipment sales( such as heat pumps, building cooling systems, sustainable energy etc.). The automotive industry has suffered although we are seeing Chinese investors beginning to invest in the European automotive sector.
ISMR: What is your strategic and technical focus for TRUMPF machine tools?
SM: We will continue on our current strategic path, investing in automation, software and service applications to further increase the uptime of our machinery and improve its usability. This will be driven by AI and robotics. In the software arena, the focus is on ease of use. There is a shortage of skilled labour, so we need to provide solutions to customers that are easier to use.
In the next two years, we intend to replace our existing, highly productive machines with a new generation of machines. The focus will be on increasing machine stability, uptime and output based upon proven mechanics.
We also want to grow our market share on the service side. Not all spare parts, consumables and tools come from TRUMPF, and this is where I think we can improve.
Welding a sheet metal part.
This will probably be the most innovative EuroBLECH for TRUMPF that we have seen over the past decade
some of which are not compliant with EU standards. There have been, in my view, unfair subsidies, a lack of a level playing field and a lack of enforcement of machinery that does not comply with European standards entering Europe.
To combat this, we liaise with European authorities and associations to work towards a more level playing field and improved safety levels. We don’ t need more regulations and more standards, but it is important to enforce existing standards for any machines entering the European market.
On the other hand, we are also working on reducing the cost of our own operations to compete in this global environment and be more competitive in the European market. There is no reason why we cannot use the Chinese supply chain where it makes sense, for example, to source parts / components that are completely commoditised or which can no longer be found in Europe.
Our customers are feeling a lot of pressure on their margins. This is why we must provide them with equipment that provides more machine output at the same or lower cost. Cost is the major issue for many of them. The other issue for our customers is a lack of a skilled labour force that will do heavy work like welding or sorting. Our competence in robotics and automation for this type of work helps our customers to address this challenge.
ISMR: Are there any products / technologies / services that you have released or are releasing this year( including for EuroBLECH) that you would like to discuss?
SM: This will probably be the most innovative EuroBLECH for TRUMPF that we have seen over the past decade. In past years, we have tended to showcase typically one major highlight at EuroBLECH. This year, however, we will show something new across a range of different technologies as well as different equipment featuring a range of autonomous robotic systems.
ISMR: What, in your view, are important trends and challenges in the machine-tool industry? How are you responding to these?
SM: Technology trends include more applied AI, robotics and software. I also see continuous process change in sheet metal with less manual interaction and more uptime based upon more preventive analysis of processes( which we are addressing).
There has been an industry trend of massive price decline based upon Chinese machinery entering European markets. A wave of cheaper machines is entering European markets,
TRUMPF will showcase a new generation of its TruPunch 5000 punching machine at EuroBLECH 2026.
38 | ismr. net | ISMR October 2026