The AMB Award 2026 has received around 50 submissions from companies across the metalworking industry, highlighting new developments in machining, automation, digitalisation, measurement technology and sustainable production. The award, presented as part of AMB – the international exhibition for metalworking – recognises outstanding product innovations in metal cutting.
An independent expert jury has shortlisted 17 companies across six award categories. The nominated companies will compete for six awards, with the winners to be announced during AMB 2026, being held from September 15 to 19. The submissions cover machine tools and production systems, precision tools, measuring systems and quality assurance, software and digitalisation, automation and materials handling systems, and parts, components and operating materials. The entries demonstrate the range of developments taking place across the metalworking sector, from new machining technologies and automated processes to solutions focused on improving resource efficiency.
Digitalisation and automation feature strongly among this year’s submissions. Around half of the entries address areas such as AI-supported production planning, automated CAM programming and real-time connectivity between machines and production systems.
System integration is another important theme, with more than a quarter of the submitted products combining previously separate process steps into integrated solutions. Resource efficiency also remains a key area of development, with innovations focused on extending tool life, recycling cooling lubricants and reducing material consumption.
The shortlisted companies are being assessed by an independent jury comprising representatives from industry associations and academia. The jury includes Markus Heseding from the VDMA Precision Tools Association, Dr Alexander Broos from the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW), Thomas Riegler from the VDMA Software and Digitalisation Association, Willi Wünschel from the PTW Institute at TU Darmstadt and Prof. Dr -Ing. Hans-Christian Möhring from the Institute for Machine Tools at the University of Stuttgart. The evaluation considers technological innovation, efficiency, sustainability, user-friendliness, aesthetics and design.
Dr Alexander Broos, Head of Research and Technology at the VDW, said, “The large number of submissions for the AMB Award and the variety of award winners clearly show how dynamic and innovative our industry is. As a member of the jury, I was particularly pleased to see how solutions are developed also at detailed levels of applications, which are initially not considered. This makes it extremely exciting because they make their very own, important contribution to increasing competitiveness, productivity and sustainability.”
The 17 nominees will be presented throughout AMB 2026 at the “Area of AMB Award Nominees” in Entrance East, Stand EO120. The dedicated display will allow visitors to view the nominated innovations during the exhibition. The award ceremonies will take place on the AMB Stage in the Atrium. Awards for software and digitalisation, automation and materials handling systems, and parts, components and operating materials will be presented on September 15. The remaining awards for machine tools and production systems, precision tools, and measuring systems and quality assurance will be presented on September 16.
The AMB Award forms part of the exhibition’s wider programme focused on innovation, young talent and new technologies. Other initiatives include the Start-up Area, the Education special show organised by Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau and the “Art meets technology” programme under the theme “Where metal comes alive”.
AMB has been showcasing developments in the international metalworking industry since 1982. The 2026 edition takes place from September 15 to 19 in Stuttgart and brings together manufacturers, technology providers and professionals from the metal-cutting industry. The event presents products, technologies, innovations, services and manufacturing concepts across the sector.
