The Industrial Trade Fairs Intec, Z and GrindTec Are Back – Innovative, High-Performance and International

Over four days, Intec, Z and GrindTec will transform Leipziger Messe into 50,000 square meters of workbench with over 821 exhibitors from 29 countries. "We are very much looking forward to the return of our industry trade fairs. We have succeeded in setting up a strong trade fair combination with renowned innovative exhibitors from Germany and abroad and an extensive, attractive range of products. After the pandemic break and with all the current challenges, this is a great message", says Markus Geisenberger, Chief Executive Officer of Leipziger Messe. "The trade fair trio Intec, Z and GrindTec is the ideal platform early in the year to find out about new products in the industry, to initiate business and to drive current projects forward."

The Fachverband der Präzisionswerkzeugmechaniker e.V. (Association of German Precision Tool Grinders, FDPW) is GrindTec's conceptual partner. Uwe Schmidt, President of the FDPW, explains: "Automation, digitisation and artificial intelligence are the topics we need to and will address in detail at GrindTec. These issues are also part of the solution to the shortage of skilled labour. In areas where we do not have enough specialists, intelligent machines and self-learning systems can assist us in creating efficient, economical and reliable workflows that require less manpower. We can't wait to see the latest developments in tool grinding using laser technology, especially with hard and ultra-hard cutting materials. Be surprised by an ever-improving process that processes materials with high precision without thermal damage."

Trade Fair Trio Covers the Full Value Chain of Metal Processing

Many technology leaders from the machine-tool industry, well-known precision tool suppliers, automation solution specialists, innovative suppliers and prominent providers of tool grinding systems will be at the trade fair trio this year. The main items on display at Intec are machine tools, machine components, tools and clamping devices as well as manufacturing automation and robotics. Visitors can expect a wealth of new solutions and smart technological developments.

The subcontracting fair Z specialises in innovative and flexible supplier services for the industry, offering suppliers in intermediate production stages a tailor-made platform for market positioning. The focus at GrindTec is on grinding machines, tool grinding systems and their automation as well as grinding materials. "This trade fair trio offers an even more wide-ranging and specialised view of the grinding technology sector. Our exhibitors and visitors can benefit from the resulting synergies. The trade fair trio covers the entire value chain of the metal processing industry", explains Ulrike Lange, Project Director of Intec, Z and GrindTec.

Strong Regional Roots and International Appeal

All the major German mechanical engineering centres will be strongly represented in Leipzig once again. Most exhibitors are from Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. This time, too, many companies from the core region have registered for their "home game" - they form the backbone of the trade fair association: For example, 237 exhibitors from Central Germany alone are taking part.

The trade fair trio will also demonstrate its international appeal. Twelve per cent of exhibitors at Intec are from abroad, travelling to Leipzig from countries such as Italy, Austria, Switzerland and China. 35 per cent of currently-registered exhibitors at the subcontracting fair Z are from outside Germany. In addition to Germany, numerous Z exhibitors come from the Czech Republic, Poland and Italy. GrindTec will welcome exhibitors from twelve countries, including China, Austria and Switzerland.

Conference Programme Addresses Vital Topics for the Future

The practical specialist programme also helps to find answers to the questions surrounding the transformation of the industry. One example of this is the special exhibition and expert forum "Additive Manufacturing – Evolution of a modern technology" in Hall 3. The companies FIT, Mark3D and METROM Mechatronic Machines, for example, will be participating in the special exhibition.

Advancements in the digitisation and automation of industrial processes require targeted applications of innovative sensor technology. As part of the special exhibition and expert forum "Sensor Technology – use and perspectives in manufacturing" in Hall 2, suppliers and users can meet to talk about current solutions and future trends in this key technology.

The topic of "Value Creation Using Hydrogen" will be examined for the first time at the trade fair combination. A special exhibition and a expert forum will look into the market potential of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies and provide inspiration for how the sub-contracting industry as well as mechanical and plant engineers can begin to align production to these new fields of application. Within the framework of this format, for example, the reference factory H2 developed by Fraunhofer IWU will be presented.

On the pulse of transformation

The third edition of Industry's Hidden Champions Conference will be held on 7 March 2023 under the title "On the pulse of transformation – world market leaders in uncertain times?!". Saxon State Minister of Economic Affairs, Martin Dulig, whose ministry is hosting the conference as part of the trade fair combination, says: "Increasingly diverse, profound challenges, such as climate change, the energy price crisis, raw material shortages and disrupted supply chains, demand strong resilience. Hidden champions are particularly successful at identifying and tackling change early. The conference will give an insight into the secrets of success of these global market leaders."

Establishing Contacts Across Borders

This year, international business collaborations will once again be established at the trade fair trio in Leipzig. On 7 March 2023, the Saxony Trade & Invest (Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH) will be hosting the international cooperation forum "Welcome to Saxony". Delegations from countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Kazakhstan are expected to attend.

On 8 March 2023, the 15th edition of the CONTACT Business Meetings will take place at the trade fair trio, organised by the Saxon networking partners of the Enterprise Europe Network and the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Around 170 participants from 21 countries including Italy, Poland and Slovenia have registered for the event.

Competition to Find the Best Precision Tool Grinder of the Year

The conference programme of GrindTec covers a broad range of topics reflecting the many different aspects of tool grinding. At lectures at the GrindTec FORUM, visitors can benefit from first-hand information.

The competition TOOLGRINDER CHALLENGE will be held live at GrindTec on 8 March 2023 in Hall 5 with five finalists, who are required to programme a predetermined workpiece and process it on the Multigrind® Radical competition machine supplied by the main sponsor, Adelbert Haas. At the end of the final, the best precision tool grinder of the year will be proclaimed.

However, not only tool grinders will be competing at the trade fair. Exhibitors were offered the opportunity to submit an entry in advance for the GrindTec INNOVATION AWARD. A jury will honour innovative and sustainable products and processes as well as services. The award ceremony will take place on 8 March 2023 at the GrindTec FORUM.

Focus on Skilled Labour Shortages and Recruiting Young Talent

The serious shortage of skilled labour and the challenges of recruiting young talent will be explicitly addressed at the trade fair trio this year. On 10 March 2023, an event will be held for trade professionals entitled "Young Professionals Meet the Industry", organised by the Innovationsverbund Maschinenbau Sachsen VEMASinnovativ, Industrieverein Sachsen and Leipziger Messe. The aim is to interest school pupils and students in technical professions. Among others, the companies N+P Informationssysteme, Profiroll Technologies and SITEC will inform about job offers.

About Intec, Z and GrindTec

The international trade fair trio Intec, Z and GrindTec will take place from 7 to 10 March 2023 at Leipziger Messe. Intec is one of the leading trade fairs for metal processing in Europe. Active global market leaders as well as SMEs make use of the trade fair as an efficient marketplace in the fields of machine tools, systems for automated production and precision tools. As one of Europe's most important subcontracting fairs, Z focuses its exhibition profile on parts, components, modules and technologies. GrindTec, the international leading trade fair for tool grinding and machining, will be held in parallel with Intec and Z as an independent exhibition for products and services surrounding tool machining systems.

About the Leipziger Messe

The Leipziger Messe is one of the ten leading German trade fair companies and one of the top 50 worldwide. It organises events in Leipzig and at various locations all over Germany and abroad. With its five subsidiaries and the Congress Center Leipzig (CCL), Leipziger Messe is a comprehensive service provider covering the entire chain of the events business. It is due to this level of professionalism, that customers and visitors in 2022 voted the Leipziger Messe the service champion of the trade fair industry in Germany's largest service ranking for the ninth time in a row. The Leipzig fairgrounds comprise an exhibition area of 111,900 m² and an open-air exhibition area of 70,000 m². Every year, over 270 events take place – from trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses to events. Leipzig was the first German trade fair company to be certified according to the Green Globe standards. Sustainability is a recurring theme in the Leipziger Messe's corporate activities.