From October 22 to 25, the international sheet metal industry will gather in Hanover for the 27th edition of EuroBLECH, the world’s largest showcase of live machinery and technological advancements. Under the theme “The Power of Productivity,” the event will feature nearly 1,300 exhibitors from 40 countries, spanning 160,000 square meters across nine halls. The exhibition will include expert talks, guided tours, themed trails, and innovation awards, offering additional opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking.
EuroBLECH 2024 will turn Hanover Exhibition Grounds into a global hub for sheet metal working innovations. The event covers 15 technology sectors and expects a large turnout of international visitors. A growing number of exhibitors from countries like Germany, Italy, China, and the USA highlight the global reach of the event, with notable increases in space bookings from Sweden, Austria, and India.
This year’s event is set to tackle pressing industry challenges such as labor shortages, energy costs, and fluctuating demand. The event offers an extended program on “The Power of Productivity,” aimed at helping companies invest in efficient, sustainable technologies.
EuroBLECH is expanding its global influence, with 66% of exhibitors now coming from outside Germany. Major exhibitor countries include Germany, Italy, Turkey, China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Poland, France, and the USA. Exhibitor space from countries like Sweden, Austria, Portugal, and key Asian economies has grown significantly, with India doubling its space since 2022.
“Our exhibitor list reflects current market trends,” said Evelyn Warwick, EuroBLECH Event Director. “European leaders are driving sustainability amid global competition, with growing investments in Southeast Asia, India, and North America. Investing in efficient, climate-aligned technologies will ensure long-term profitability while tackling challenges like labor shortages, high energy costs, and shifting demand in the sheet metal industry.”
Speaker Forum, Guided Tours, and Award Trails
EuroBLECH 2024 will feature two dedicated Presentation Areas in Halls 26 and 27, focused on Automation and Digitalization. Attendees can listen to live presentations from industry leaders, including companies such as Coherent, Fraunhofer IWU, Klöckner, Schuler, Tata Steel, Trumpf, and more.
A key Panel Discussion on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Hall 26 will address the critical role of automation in mitigating skilled labor shortages. Industry experts from Trumpf, robotics specialist Teqram, blind rivet manufacturer Gesipa (SFS Group), and digitalization provider Cenit will discuss automation solutions specifically tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
While large companies have already advanced in automation, many SMEs are just beginning to implement such technologies. The session will be moderated by Benedikt Hofmann, Editor-in-Chief of MM MaschinenMarkt and BLECHNET, who will guide the discussion on practical approaches for adopting automation in these businesses.
Seventy-six companies have been shortlisted for the EuroBLECH 2024 Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements in technical innovation. The winners, selected across six categories, will be honored at the Official Awards Ceremony on the first day of the exhibition, at 5 p.m. in Hall 27.
Visitors can also explore the new Award Trails, designed to showcase all the innovations recognized by the awards jury. There will be six trails, corresponding to the award categories: Stamping and Forming Technology, Cutting Technology, Joining Technology, Surface Technology, Automation and Handling, and Sustainability.
For the first time, EuroBLECH will offer Guided Visitor Tours, highlighting cutting-edge productivity solutions from companies such as AIDA, AMADA, Eagle, Libellula, OTC DAIHEN Europe, Panasonic Connect Europe, Reis Robotics, RICO-Thomas Castro Silva, SEYI Presses Europe, Voortman Steel Machinery, and Wila. Each tour stop will feature a brief presentation and a Q&A session with a representative from the exhibiting company.
Promoting Young Talent and Fresh Ideas
EuroBLECH has a strong tradition of fostering young talent and driving industry innovation. This year, the event will welcome numerous new companies alongside well-established global players, with one in five exhibitors being newcomers. The ‘Young Innovators’ Pavilion in Hall 15 will showcase emerging start-ups from Germany, introducing fresh ideas and perspectives to the exhibition floor.
To further encourage young professionals, EuroBLECH will host a dedicated Careers Day on Friday. Students and apprentices can attend the exhibition for free, offering them the chance to connect with potential employers and explore the latest industry technologies. In addition, EuroBLECH provides excellent recruitment opportunities. Visitors can easily identify companies that are hiring by using the ‘Recruiting’ filter in the Online Exhibitor List.
Online Tools and Visitor Information
The official event website offers comprehensive information to enhance the visitor experience. Attendees can browse the full ‘Exhibitor List’ and the ‘Online Show Preview’ to search for companies, products, and services. The new ‘What’s On’ page gives a clear overview of the entire event program, while the ‘Planning Tool’ allows visitors to build a personalized schedule that can be downloaded, printed, or shared.
Opening Times and Tickets
EuroBLECH 2024 will take place from 22 to 25 October 2024 at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany, spanning Halls 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 26, and 27. Visitors can enter through West 1, West 2, Nord 1, Ost 3, and Süd 1 entrances. The exhibition is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets, registration, and press accreditation are available online. On-site registration is possible but will have higher entry fees. Additional options include the Guided Visitor Tours, the Official Show Catalogue, and free entry for students and apprentices on Careers Day (with valid student ID).
Travel and Accommodation
EuroBLECH encourages sustainable travel with special transport arrangements. Deutsche Bahn (DB) offers a fixed-price train ticket for nationwide travel to Hanover, including a City Ticket. For local travel, GHV provides a custom EuroBLECH Travelcard for unlimited train and bus use during the event. Additionally, an exclusive shuttle service from Hanover Airport to the exhibition grounds will be available for EUR 25 per person per route. Visitors in need of accommodation can consult the EuroBLECH HotelMap on the official website for last-minute options.
EuroBLECH is the world’s largest exhibition dedicated to sheet metal processing, attracting influential visitors seeking advanced manufacturing solutions. Exhibitors present technologies covering the full spectrum of metal processing, including stamping, cutting, joining, handling, finishing, CAD/CAM/CIM systems, and more. This flagship event showcases the latest innovations in the field and is a key platform for industry professionals worldwide.
