The 2025 edition of the ECTA Conference, hosted from March 20 to 22 in Turin, Italy, attracted more than 100 operators from around the world. This annual event, organized by the European Cutting Tools Association (ECTA) and UCIMU-Sistemi per Produrre, marked the first return to Italy in seven years. It brought together key figures in the cutting tool and manufacturing sectors to explore technical and economic trends shaping the industry.
Representatives from countries such as Austria, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, the United States, and Switzerland were in attendance. The conference offered a rare opportunity for professionals to network, share insights, and discuss the future direction of the metalworking and manufacturing industries.
Federico Costa, President of ECTA, expressed his satisfaction with the impressive turnout, highlighting the significance of the conference in addressing the critical issues facing the industry both now and in the years to come. Costa also noted that Turin, with its rich history in mechanical and automation engineering, was the perfect location for both formal business sessions and informal networking.
One of the highlights of the event was the conference held on March 21 at the historic Palazzo Costa Carrù della Trinità. Keynote speakers included industry leaders like Stefan Zecha (CEO of Zecha Hartmetall Werkzeugfabrikation), Manfred Grimm (Market Data and Statistics Specialist at VDMA Precision Tools), Mike Stokey (Senior Vice President of USCTI), Melissa Albeck (Executive Board Member of Ceratizit), and several academic and business experts, such as Giuliano Noci from Politecnico di Milano and Guido Saracco from Politecnico di Torino.
The discussions covered a range of critical topics, including the economic outlook, geopolitical factors, digitalization of production processes, and the role of Artificial Intelligence in the future of manufacturing. Costa noted that the insights shared would help businesses in the sector better navigate current challenges and seize upcoming opportunities. In addition to the business-focused discussions, the event also featured a robust social and cultural program, offering attendees the chance to connect in more relaxed settings.
Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU, also expressed pride in the event’s success, emphasizing the significance of Italy’s role in the global manufacturing industry. He underscored the importance of building strong personal relationships and maintaining ongoing dialogue within the sector to sustain competitiveness, particularly as the industry becomes increasingly digital.
Rosa concluded by expressing UCIMU’s enthusiasm for hosting future ECTA events in Italy, with the next conference scheduled for May 7-9, 2026, in Graz, Austria. The 2025 ECTA Conference would not have been possible without the support of numerous international sponsors, for which Costa extended his heartfelt thanks.
