EMO: A Very Relevant Show

EMO, Europe’s big machine tool and manufacturing technology show, takes place this month in Hanover, Germany. The dates are September 17-22. It’s a great show but one myth about it persists: Because shops in Europe are different, EMO isn’t relevant to attendees from U.S. shops.

Truth is, the forces of globalization are putting metalworking shops and plants located around the world in the same boat. We all face intense competition from within our borders and beyond. And we are all searching for the best technology solutions on the planet to keep up and get ahead.

Exhibitors at EMO choose this event to showcase their technology solutions to the world—not just to visitors from Europe. Because shops and plants are so much alike in the challenges they face, these solutions are highly likely to be applicable to prospective buyers no matter which country or continent they call home. Of course, most of the U.S. suppliers of manufacturing technology exhibit at this show, too. Many of them will be introducing new models, new developments and new techniques.

That said, EMO does have a distinctly European flavor. It’s a good place to see how metalworking companies coming from different cultural and historical backgrounds are responding. Their viewpoints and insights are often fresh and original, sparking healthy out-of-the box thinking for the U.S. visitor.

For the U.S. metalworking professional, there is much to see at EMO that is new, different and original but all highly relevant and on-target. More than 2,000 exhibitors from 41 countries will be there. They will fill 1.9 million square feet of booth space.

While it is true that the weak U.S dollar makes technology from overseas a bit more pricey that it has been in recent years, the “exactly right” solution to a production challenge is ultimately going to be easier to justify than the next-best or the second choice.

For U.S.companies intent on being world-class manufacturers, EMO has world-class technology that must not be missed. Modern Machine Shop will have three editors at the show to scout out interesting and significant technology. Look for our report in an upcoming issue.