October 6, 2026
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Motek 2026 is the 43rd edition of the International Trade Fair for Production and Assembly Automation, held from 6 to 8 October 2026 at Messe Stuttgart, Germany. Organised by P.E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG, the event is the central business and technology platform for the global production automation industry. From 2026, Motek transitions to a biennial cycle, running concurrently with the 18th Bondexpo International Trade Fair for Bonding Technology to form a powerful trade fair association addressing the complete process chain for economical production and assembly. A single Motek/Bondexpo ticket grants free access to all six trade fairs running simultaneously at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center, including VISION, EFX, Quantum Effects, and interbad. The event covers intelligent solutions across production and assembly automation, feed technology and material flow, handling technology, and industrial handling.
Motek draws a highly qualified community of production automation professionals from the manufacturing industry, including design engineers, automation project managers, investment decision-makers, procurement specialists, and plant operators from companies across Europe and internationally. Exhibitors span the complete spectrum of automation suppliers from global technology leaders to specialist SMEs and start-ups, covering components, sub-assemblies, complete systems, and software. The 2024 edition welcomed 409 exhibitors from 19 countries. Regular and long-standing exhibitors include Bosch Rexroth, igus, Schmalz, HIWIN, Universal Robots, Zimmer Group, IEF Werner, WEISS GmbH, and Yaskawa, among many others. A dedicated Start-up Area provides emerging companies and young innovators with an international platform to showcase novel automation technologies and business models.
The three-day programme combines the main trade exhibition with a series of dedicated supporting formats. The Exhibitor Forum in Hall 5 hosts company presentations and live product demonstrations in an open-audience format. The Industrial Production Forum, a German-language specialist session, addresses the practical application of AI in manufacturing under the theme "Keine Angst vor KI – Potenziale nutzen, wettbewerbsfähig bleiben" (No Fear of AI: Unlocking Potential, Remaining Competitive). The Industrial Interactive Zone, themed "People – Machines – Teamwork," provides hands-on demonstrations of human-robot collaboration and interactive automation scenarios. The Start-up Area delivers a curated platform for young companies to present breakthrough solutions and connect with industry buyers and investors. An integrated Job Market connects automation professionals and students with exhibiting companies seeking technical talent, and a dedicated Career Center operates throughout the event.
The agenda addresses the full scope of intelligent automation across industrial production and assembly. Key themes include the practical integration of AI and machine learning in production processes, from predictive maintenance and quality control to adaptive manufacturing and autonomous process optimisation; collaborative robotics and the evolution of human-robot interaction on the factory floor; feed technology and the automated handling of bulk components and assemblies; material flow optimisation and intralogistics solutions for lean manufacturing; handling technology advances including grippers, linear systems, and modular automation components; software for assembly including digital twins, simulation, and manufacturing execution systems; resource-efficient and sustainable production approaches including energy reduction and waste minimisation; Industry 4.0 connectivity and the integration of automation systems with cloud, IoT, and ERP platforms; low-cost automation solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturers; and bonding technology innovation covered through the co-located Bondexpo, addressing adhesives, sealants, and joining processes.
Motek 2026 closes on 8 October following three days of exhibition, forum sessions, live demonstrations, and networking at Messe Stuttgart. The transition to a biennial cycle from 2026 onwards underscores the event's repositioning as a concentrated, high-impact platform for the production automation industry, bringing together the complete community every two years to define the direction of intelligent, sustainable, and connected manufacturing.
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