About the Event

AMB 2026 is the International Exhibition for Metal Working, held from 15 to 19 September 2026 at Messe Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany. Organised by Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH, AMB is one of the world's leading trade fairs for metal-cutting technologies and has been a cornerstone of the global metalworking industry since its founding in 1982. The 2026 edition takes place with all ten exhibition halls fully booked, hosting approximately 1,150 confirmed exhibitors from 34 countries across 120,000 square metres of exhibition space, with around 31 percent of exhibitors representing international markets. The event presents the complete metal-cutting value chain across clearly structured themed halls, covering machine tools, automation solutions, precision engineering, digital manufacturing technologies, and industrial services. AMB takes place every two years and is expected to attract more than 50,000 professional trade visitors.

Audience and Attendees

AMB draws a highly qualified professional audience from the global metalworking and manufacturing ecosystem. Exhibitors represent sectors including mechanical engineering, the automotive and aerospace industries, tool and mould making, control systems, software development, and quality assurance. Visitors include production managers, engineers, CNC specialists, procurement professionals, and senior decision-makers primarily from German-speaking countries and industrial regions across Europe. The exhibition is particularly significant for companies in Baden-Württemberg, one of Europe's major high-tech and precision manufacturing regions, and draws international delegations from countries including India, Italy, Taiwan, and Spain through a dedicated International Gallery at the East Entrance, developed in partnership with Baden-Württemberg International. The AMB Award 2026 will recognise outstanding innovation in metalworking technology.

Programme Structure

The five-day programme features more than 107 supporting events involving around 50 industry speakers across multiple dedicated platforms. The VDMA Technology Forum hosts technical sessions covering sustainable manufacturing, circular economy practices, and cost-efficient production. The AMB Stage hosts daily sector-focused discussions on aerospace, maintenance, and advanced manufacturing. A new dedicated platform, Defence and Security Opportunities, developed in collaboration with VDMA, explores the role of metal-cutting manufacturing in supporting the defence sector through scalable production capabilities, featuring keynote presentations from defence manufacturers and guided exhibitor tours. A Start-up Area showcases emerging technologies and new business models. The Young Engineers Foundation runs a special educational showcase providing students and young professionals with hands-on demonstrations of CNC machining, automation, and digital production systems. AMB Night, a new after-work networking event on 18 September, combines exhibition access with informal engagement with industry experts and digital content creators. The AMB Roadshow, which visits manufacturing companies across the region ahead of the fair, also stations its vehicle at Messepark during the event.

Main Topics

Artificial intelligence, automation, and the circular economy are the three central themes running through AMB 2026. AI-specific sessions on 16 September examine the growing role of artificial intelligence in production processes, covering process optimisation, predictive maintenance, quality control, and manufacturing efficiency, with interactive expert discussion formats. Automation topics span collaborative robotics, autonomous production systems, and the integration of digital manufacturing technologies across the machining value chain. Sustainability and circular economy practices are addressed in depth through the VDMA Technology Forum, including strategies for reducing material waste and improving energy efficiency in machining operations. Additional themes include defence manufacturing as an emerging growth sector for metal-cutting suppliers, international market development and cross-border sourcing partnerships, and the future of precision engineering across automotive, aerospace, and energy sector applications.

Closing Session

AMB 2026 closes on 19 September following five days of exhibition, technical forums, networking events, and sector-focused discussions across all ten halls at Messe Stuttgart. The biennial event concludes having brought together the complete global metal-cutting community under one roof, reinforcing Stuttgart's position as the heartland of European precision manufacturing and industrial innovation.

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