More than 100 users participated in the ECTA CONFERENCE 2025, the annual conference of the European Cutting Tools Association, the association of European manufacturers of machining tools for industrial use, which took place in Italy again after seven years from March 20 to 22 in Turin.
The initiative organized by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian association of manufacturers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems, in collaboration with ECTA, provided a unique opportunity to exchange information on the technical and economic developments in the sector. The event brought together key players in metalworking, including manufacturers of cutting tools, inserts, tool materials, tool grinding machines, and machine tool components, as well as representatives from the field of science and research.
Participants from Austria, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, the United States, and Switzerland utilized the information platform.
We are very pleased – said Federico Costa, President of ECTA – about the incredible participation in the ECTA CONFERENCE 2025. The high attendance of operators at the event confirms the importance of this date and the necessity for operators to meet and discuss the topics that are crucial for our industry today and in the near future. The city of Turin – Costa added – with its history, culture, and strong tradition in the machine engineering and automation sector proved to be an ideal place to host both business activities and more informal side initiatives.
To open the working sessions, there was a welcome by Federico Costa, followed by speeches from Stefan Zecha, Managing Director of Zecha Hardmetal Tool Manufacturing and Chairman of VDMA Precision Tools; Manfred Grimm, Market Data and Statistics Specialist of VDMA Precision Tools; Mike Stokey, Senior Vice President of USCTI and Executive Vice President of Allied Machine & Engineering; Melissa Albeck, Board Member of Ceratizit; Emilio Franco, CFA – Chairman of the Board of Mediobanca SGR; Giuliano Noci, Professor of Strategy and Marketing and Vice-Rector for China at the Polytechnic University of Milan; Guido Saracco, Professor of Chemical Fundamentals of Technologies at the Polytechnic University of Turin; and Jack Sintini, Head of the Training Department and Regional Sales Manager of Randstad and Volleyball Champion.
The valuable content – said Federico Costa – presented at the conference on Friday provided an accurate economic and geopolitical picture with current data and future prospects for the sector. Furthermore, topics such as artificial intelligence and the digitalization of production processes, along with other motivating insights, offered new ideas and considerations for the business of the players in this sector.
The ECTA CONFERENCE 2025 offered not only business and in-depth thematic meetings over the three days of the event but also a rich supporting program, an opportunity for social, cultural, and convivial gatherings that were highly appreciated by all participants.
I am proud – said Riccardo Rosa, President of UCIMU – to confirm the excellent success of the ECTA CONFERENCE 2025, an initiative that received full satisfaction from all participants!
For our association, it was an honor to organize this important event together with our colleagues from ECTA, which attracted so many professionals from around the world, demonstrating Italy's central role in the manufacturing industry and mechanical and metalworking applications. The success of the Italian machine tool industry is also the result of comprehensive and fruitful collaboration between our companies and their partners, among which the manufacturers of cutting tools play an important role. Therefore, the ECTA CONFERENCE is not only an important opportunity for entrepreneurs and managers of the machine tool industry but also for manufacturers to meet.
In an increasingly digital world, the key factors of the event, such as the importance of personal relationships and the value of continuous exchange of ideas and information among the various players in modern supply chains, are becoming increasingly necessary to maintain the competitiveness of companies in the sector. For this reason – Riccardo Rosa concluded – UCIMU is pleased to be able to organize this initiative again at the next edition, which will take place in Italy!
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