The winning finalists of this year's Grinder of the Year competitionYoung grinding talent took centre stage at
GrindingHub in Stuttgart earlier this month, as the 2026 Grinder of the Year (GOTY) competition highlighted both technical skill and the industry’s drive to attract the next generation of engineers.
Fabio Schoppet, a 28-year-old apprentice with K.H. Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, emerged as overall winner following the two-day live contest held on 6–7 May. He competed against Max Bergner, who finished second, Laurin Mink in third place and Arman Hamidi in fourth. All finalists were awarded training vouchers ranging from €500 to €3,000.
The competition, staged in front of trade fair visitors, demonstrated the process of translating engineering drawings into finished precision tools.
Barbara Hannappel, managing director of organiser KSKomm, said: “The live competition at the trade fair is a real highlight. Visitors can see firsthand how a drawing is transformed step by step into a precision tool.”
She added that the initiative addresses a wider skills challenge within the sector: “People are given a pretty clear idea of just how interesting and challenging modern tool grinding can be. The aim is not only to put on an attractive event, but also to promote young talent and to try and counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the field of grinding technology.”
For Fabio Schoppet, the experience combined technical challenge with personal achievement. He said: “It was really fun experience. I made a lot of great contacts and had some enjoyable conversations. When I realised that I was the winner, I was pretty overwhelmed. It was an absolute highlight.”
A key element of the programme was a two-day intensive training course delivered by main sponsor
Walter Maschinenbau in Tübingen. Dr Christoph Müller-Mederer, the company’s CEO, explained the reasons behind its involvement.
He said: “The Grinder of the Year competition provides the ideal platform for showcasing the latest grinding technology and demonstrating in a practical way what an end-to-end manufacturing process looks like.”
Competition training covered both software and machine operation, including Walter’s Helitronic Tool Studio for 3D tool design and simulation, and the Helitronic Mini Plus machine equipped with United Grinding’s C.O.R.E. control technology. The digital platform allows full simulation of grinding processes and supports connectivity within networked production environments.
For the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association
(VDW), organiser of GrindingHub, the event the competition reflects how the high-tech manufacturing sectors increasingly depend on highly skilled personnel. Initiatives such as GOTY aim to strengthen recruitment and training pathways.
As the finalists return to their apprenticeships, each takes with them both practical experience and a clearer direction for the future. Fabio plans to use his €3,000 voucher towards engineering school, while fellow finalist Arman Hamidi is considering further study in automation and robotics.
The VDW says the competition not only crowned a grinding expert winner, it also demonstrated the importance of investing in skills to sustain the future of precision manufacturing.