Florian Schmitz, Head of Trade Fairs and Events at Messe Stuttgart

© Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH

Florian Schmitz, Head of Trade Fairs and Events at Messe Stuttgart, is looking forward to Nortec at the end of January: "We are already in the middle of planning and new registrations are still coming in every day." So far, around 140 exhibitors have registered to present products and solutions in Hall A1 of the Hamburg exhibition center, focusing on machinery and equipment, tools and devices, control systems and measurement technology. Suppliers and contract manufacturers will be offering their services, as will specialists for the upstream and downstream stages of the value chain: design, calculation and simulation, control, IT, logistics, quality control and service. The trade fair is aimed at decision-makers and buyers from all branches of industry, the service sector, trade and commerce.

"Campus for SMEs" as the motto

Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director VDW

© Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH/VDW

The motto of Nortec 2024 is "Campus for SMEs". The supporting programme is designed accordingly: "Messe Stuttgart and VDW, which have only recently assumed responsibility for Nortec, are working closely with the proven partner institutions, which already have a great deal of experience with the needs of the target markets, to organize the individual program items," explains Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of the German Machine Tool Builders' Association VDW. "The program will focus on current industry topics such as supply chains, the shortage of skilled workers or manufacturing offerings for specific sectors, which will be examined in various formats," Heering continues.

Part of the supporting program are for example

• the "hansesupplier" joint stand: an association of ten owner-managed contract manufacturers in northern Germany will be focusing on the expertise of its members in modern metal processing at a joint stand: an overview of lasering, eroding, turning, milling, bending, forming, welding and other production techniques.
• At the joint stand "Electronics production", 13 exhibitors are currently showcasing the value chain of component production - from PCB production to components, soldering agents and coatings to machines and production processes. Experts from the electronics industry will find the first port of call at the trade fair for their specific sector. The joint stand will be accompanied by presentations from the forum of the same name (FED).
• The "Start-up Area" offers young companies a platform to present themselves at an attractive price on 4 m² each and to test over four days how their offers are received by customers in the target regions and to make new contacts.
• In cooperation with the German Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics, the trade fair is inviting visitors to the BME Buyers' Day on January 24. Buyers from the industry can find out about new procurement opportunities in presentations, discussion rounds and talks with experts. This is an important topic in light of the fact that many companies are reviewing their supply chains and want to become more resilient.

Focus on young talent and skilled workers

The topics of young talent and skilled workers will be addressed under the motto "Learning at full throttle". In addition to the Young Talent Foundation for Mechanical Engineering, the HAWKS Racing Team will also be represented in a special area. The Formula Student Team from the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences will introduce visitors to innovative technologies and teaching methods using a single-seater racing car.