The production industry is starting 2026 in a challenging economic year, and as always, a trade fair reflects the situation and mood of the industry. The opening of NORTEC 2026 made it clear: The trade fair sees itself as a place where the industry works together on solutions and finds orientation for 2026. 'Right now, we need places like NORTEC. Places where the industry comes together, exchanges ideas, and draws confidence,' emphasized Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director of Messe Stuttgart, on Tuesday morning. 'Hamburg stands for innovation, research, and a strong industrial base, and this is exactly where NORTEC is firmly anchored.'
From the perspective of machine tool manufacturing, the trade fair is also an important benchmark at the beginning of the year. Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of the VDW (Association of German Machine Tool Manufacturers), looks optimistically at the upcoming trade fair and economic year: 'The beginning of 2026 has made it clear that the German machine tool industry remains capable of action and future-oriented despite all challenges.'
NORTEC also emphasizes at the start of the year that the industry is looking ahead. Visitors are engaged, interested in new solutions, and use the fair to exchange ideas and gain orientation.
The significance of NORTEC for the location, Heering continues, is great: 'It is much more than a trade fair – it is a driving force for the entire production technology in the north and shows how tradition, quality, and innovative spirit successfully work together.'
Regional and cross-border perspectives encourage
For the first time, NORTEC 2026 cooperates with the German-Danish Chamber of Commerce, bringing cross-border impulses to the trade fair. This collaboration holds great potential, as Andreas Wenzel, CEO of the German-Danish Chamber of Commerce, explains: 'Cross-border cooperation is a key driver for innovation in industrial production. It ensures that ideas reach the market faster, companies in both countries benefit from each other, and together remain internationally competitive – exactly what we need for the industry of tomorrow.'
Dr. Dirk Lau, Deputy Managing Director of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and member of the NORTEC trade fair advisory board, emphasizes the positive future prospects of the Hanseatic city and the north at the opening: 'The north is open to the world, a logistical hub, and thus excellently connected internationally. Green energy, deep-sea water, and the availability of raw materials create ideal conditions for industrial manufacturing – from hidden champions to innovative SMEs.
In Hamburg, the entire value creation spectrum of the industry can be found, and the potential continues to grow – especially for energy-intensive sectors. This means that NORTEC is anchored in Hamburg at a strong industrial location and offers the production of tomorrow the stage to make this industrial strength of the north visible and to further expand it.' At the opening, it became clear: NORTEC 2026 provides the space for cohesion, innovation, and the courage to take new paths – across industry and country borders.
NORTEC 2026 with sharpened focus and diverse program
For the 20th edition of NORTEC, the concept has been specifically further developed. 'The fair now takes place, with a sharpened focus, compactly over three days. This provides orientation, short distances, and targeted exchange,' explains Roland Bleinroth. In Hall A4, the entire spectrum of production is presented – 175 exhibiting companies from home and abroad showcase their innovations compactly in one place. The strong program from 2024 has been continued in cooperation with our twelve network partners in 2026 as well. Over 40 program points – from panels to practical workshops – offer space for knowledge transfer and new perspectives. The complete program can be found at: Program NORTEC 2026
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