The first-ever GrindingHub exhibition took place in Stuttgart last week and the four-day event was a resounding success, according to the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) which organised the event.

Under the banner of Brings solutions to the surface, more than 370 exhibitors showcased their latest grinding technologies, products and solutions on almost 18,000m² of exhibition space across three halls at the Messe Stuttgart venue. The show attracted 9,500 visitors with around 40% of them coming from abroad.

Dr Wilfried Schäfer, VDW executive director, said: “Everywhere you see happy faces. We are more than satisfied with the success of this first-ever GrindingHub. The entire concept, planning and organisation were a triumph. The new trade show for grinding technology proved a complete success thanks to the great response from visitors and the strong commitment of the exhibitors.”

Manufacturers from 23 countries pulled out all the stops for the debut event. They exhibited numerous grinding-related innovations – everything from new tool concepts through to innovative processes, procedures, and interface technologies.

More than 240 machines could be seen working live at the exhibition — after more than two years, visitors were finally able to experience grinding technology live and face-to-face once again.

Dirk Weber, executive director of Haas Schleifmaschinen GmbH, which exhibited at the show, said: “What a great setting. Everything is so well organised and this is a great location — ideal conditions for the event. It has been a great experience exhibiting here, and I can only recommend everyone to come to Stuttgart and GrindingHub in two years time.”

Dr Stefan Brand, Vollmer Werke Maschinenfabrik GmbH managing director, said he was more than pleased with the response from visitors at GrindingHub and that the company had made a large number of new contacts, He added: "Right from the outset, the halls were full, the stand was full — what more could we ask for?”

A visitor survey also gave the inauagural event the thumbs up. Nearly 90% of respondents stated they would recommend the show to others, and 76% intend to return for the next event in two years. In addition, one third of visitors said they were planning to follow up on investment and purchasing ideas they obtained at the show. Almost three quarters of all visitors have a decisive or advisory say in purchasing decisions within their companies.

Right from the start, GrindingHub went to market with a hybrid concept and many digital offerings, including web sessions, exhibitor videos and forum contributions. More than half of the visitors took advantage of these offerings. They are also available to interested customers after the event on the website at www.grindinghub-digital.de.

The most important country of origin for exhibitors and visitors outside Germany was Switzerland. Christoph Blättler, head of machine tools at Swissmem, the conceptual sponsor of GrindingHub, said: “Switzerland has the highest density of grinding machine manufacturers in the world - from global players to start-ups. The exhibition is therefore a first-class opportunity to further expand economic relations and develop customers on the German and international markets."

GrindingHub attracted visitors from all over the world, with a focus on other European countries, but also from South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, the USA and many more. Roland Bleinroth, managing director of Messe Stuttgart, said: “We had people from 56 countries as guests at the exhibition centre which was a great result. There were also visitors from Asia. We see great potential for the next events in the Asian and also the American market. We are now tackling these in partnership with the VDW.”

Looking ahead to 2024, VDW executive director Wilfried Schäfer, said: “GrindingHub is here to stay. We want to improve the trade fair and make it even better for our exhibitors, to raise its international profile and position it as the number one event for the sector in the world.”

Visitors, too, are also convinced of the potential. In the survey, two-thirds of them said they believe the trade show will become even more important in the future.

The next GrindingHub exhibition is scheduled to take place from 14-17 May 2024.