GIFA Mexico made a powerful debut alongside FUNDIEXPO at Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, from October 16-18, 2024, attracting over 4,700 trade visitors from across Mexico, Latin America, the USA, and Canada. As a new event under Messe Düsseldorf’s “Bright World of Metals” umbrella, GIFA Mexico has set a benchmark for the foundry industry in Latin America.
GIFA Mexico’s debut saw 344 exhibitors from 16 countries showcasing cutting-edge foundry technology over 15,000 m² of exhibition space. The event featured a wide range of equipment for sand casting, permanent mold casting, metalworking, milling, and die casting, with participation from leading manufacturers, service providers, and consultants. Notable international suppliers from Latin America, China, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the USA attended, with Turkey and India joining the fair for the first time, further emphasizing Mexico’s rising appeal as a global market.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Malte Seifert, Director of Metals & Autonomous Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, stated, “The first GIFA Mexico was beyond our expectations. The positive feedback and business prospects have been extraordinary. Together with our partner FUNDIEXPO, we aim to elevate GIFA Mexico/FUNDIEXPO to one of the top four global foundry industry trade fairs in the near future.”
Bruno Jaramillo, Director of FUNDIEXPO, also expressed his satisfaction: “The overwhelming response from exhibitors and visitors has underscored the importance of this trade fair for the sector. We are already preparing for our next event in Monterrey, Nuevo León in 2026 to continue supporting the foundry and metallurgical industries at an international level.”
The fair also received high praise from the global audience. Patricio Gil, former AFS President and foundry entrepreneur, shared his admiration: “With the expertise of Messe Düsseldorf and FUNDIEXPO, the success of this event is no surprise. Mexico has tremendous potential, and this event exceeded expectations.” Jürgen Lamparter, Sales Director at Oskar Frech GmbH, noted, “FUNDIEXPO GIFA Mexico provides us with an excellent platform, making us feel at home here.”
The event’s comprehensive program included over 80 lectures and events, such as the Global Foundry and Metallurgy Summit and the “Women in Metalcasting” panel. Plant tours and seminars, held in advance, offered participants an in-depth view of Mexico’s growing foundry industry.
In response to industry demand, the next GIFA Mexico/FUNDIEXPO will take place from October 28-30, 2026, in Monterrey, Northern Mexico. For nearly 50 years, FUNDIEXPO, organized by the Sociedad Mexicana de Fundidores, A.C. (SMFAC) in partnership with Messe Düsseldorf, has been a key forum for Mexico’s foundry industry.
