From May 6 to 9, 2025, the trade fair with over 200 exhibitors took place in turbulent times and was able to impress with a high visitor quality. The Moulding Expo is facing the upheaval in the market, as Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart, reports: “The Moulding Expo sent a clear positive impulse to the industry. The number of visitors is within our expectations, and we have been able to continuously increase the quality of visitors over the last events: 86 percent of visitors in 2025 are decision-relevant in their companies, and the proportion of managing directors has also increased significantly. The Moulding Expo is highly relevant as a meeting point for the industry, yet we see the need for an adapted event concept.”
The need for a change in the event is also apparent for the professional and ideal sponsors and partners of the Moulding Expo. Stephan Berz, President of ISTMA Europe (International Special Tooling and Machining Association), draws a trade fair conclusion: “The Moulding Expo is the most important, because the only trade fair that comprehensively represents European toolmaking – pure toolmaking with relevant peripherals. Especially for the customer side, those who purchase tools, more visibility and clear reasons to come to Stuttgart are needed. For this, we as an industry must take joint responsibility: through associations, networks, and with the support of ISTMA. Parallel events like Control are a strong signal, and the central location in Stuttgart offers ideal conditions.”
Markus Heseding, Managing Director of VDMA Precision Tools and VDMA Measurement and Testing Technology, looks confidently to the future: “We are very pleased about the simultaneous occurrence of the Moulding Expo and Control at the exhibition grounds. This unique constellation gives measurement technology manufacturers the opportunity to present their latest developments and innovations to a broader audience. For many visitors, this was an additional motivation to come to Stuttgart.”
Especially in economically extremely challenging times, the industry can consider itself fortunate to have an active partner like Messe Stuttgart by its side. The VDMA gladly supports the commitment of the Moulding Expo.”
Before and during the fair, discussions took place with exhibiting companies to discuss the sharpening of the concept and a possible realignment of the event. Florian Niethammer, Head of Fairs & Events at Messe Stuttgart, gives a first outlook: “What unites our partners, the market, and us as organizers is the conviction that the industry deserves and needs independent visibility. We want to make the event even more efficient and straightforward with minimal effort for exhibiting companies. For us, the greatest possible benefit for all is the focus. We aim for a worry-free trade fair that precisely targets the needs of the market.”
The VDWF is also full of energy, as Prof. Thomas Seul, President of the Association of German Tool and Mould Makers e.V. (VDWF), explains: “The atmosphere at the Moulding Expo 2025 is extremely good. We are all looking forward. The Moulding Expo is definitely well placed in Stuttgart. Here in southwestern Germany is the manufacturing industry, and companies from Europe and around the world come together. The VDWF is happy to help make the Moulding Expo more organizationally and structurally straightforward, direct, and experiential.”
The Federal Association of Model and Mould Making e.V. (BVMF) supports the renewal of the industry meeting point, which is undeniably a very important platform for the market: “The Moulding Expo 2025 reflects the current state of the industry – in a phase of restraint, it clearly shows how important genuine exchange and joint forward-thinking are. The Moulding Expo is needed as a platform, especially in economically challenging times,” reports Helmut Brandl, Chairman of the Marketing Committee of the BVMF.
SawExpo held for the first time parallel to the Moulding Expo
The SawExpo took place for the first time parallel to the Moulding Expo. The SawExpo brings together providers of cutting-edge technology in sawing technology, one of the most innovative industries in steel processing, both in mechanical engineering and in the associated tools. The thematically appropriate offerings around cutting and machining technology provided added value for visitors to both events.
Honorary medal awarded to ISTMA President Bob Williamson
The Tool and Mould Making Honorary Medal has been awarded since the first edition of the Moulding Expo. The award honors pioneers and visionaries who have set groundbreaking signals for the industry. This year, Bob Williamson, President of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA), received the award on May 7, 2025.
This year's award winner has earned international merits for years in the field of tool, model, and mould makers. According to the jury, he is particularly distinguished by his commitment to the industry worldwide, far beyond his job description. As President, he has represented the interests of ISTMA members at national and international levels far beyond the expected measure, contributing to the visibility and recognition of the often underestimated industry in many countries and markets.
Framework program: Trends and impulses
The Future Forum for Tool, Model, and Mould Making has been the discussion platform at the fair since the first Moulding Expo and has established itself as a fixed part of the framework program. Industry experts provided valuable impulses and insights into the developments of tomorrow. The program was organized by the Association of German Machine and Plant Manufacturers e.V. (VDMA) and the Association of German Tool and Mould Makers e.V. (VDWF). The BME Purchasing Day provided the industry with the basics for smart purchasing decisions. Organized by the Federal Association for Material Management, Purchasing, and Logistics e.V. (BME), practical lectures on current developments and the latest innovations in the industry were on the agenda – with topics from benchmarking, cost-cutting, and global sourcing.
The next Moulding Expo will again take place in two years in spring 2027 in Stuttgart.
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