Spotlight on precision: New trade fair "Make-to-Order Days" will première in Stuttgart in 2026
Make-to-Order Days (MTO Days), a new trade fair format for precision parts, contract manufacturing and machining, will make its début at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Center on 9 and 10 June 2026. A key industrial sector, which has been confronted with enormous pressure for innovation and adaptation for many years, will then have its own procurement fair for the first time.
The new buyers' trade fair is specifically aimed at decision-makers and buyers from future-oriented key industries – from traditional mechanical engineering and automotive technology through to defence, robotics and renewable energies. The focal point will be contract-based precision manufacturing whose importance for global value-added chains is growing continuously. "Technological changes, geopolitical challenges and the transformation of entire branches of industry are posing great challenges to many manufacturing companies. With Make-to-Order Days we are creating a platform which will react precisely to these changes – closely geared towards the needs of the industry and with a clear focus on the future," said Roland Bleinroth, President of Messe Stuttgart.
Clear message from the machining sector: backbone of industry as the focal point
According to the Machining Technology Cluster, the distinct positioning is paramount. "As an important economic factor, we are permanently striving towards innovative developments, new economic spheres, additional business areas and future-oriented technologies. In our capacity as the partner of the new buyers' trade fair MTO Days in Stuttgart, we are offering our members ideal conditions and opportunities in this respect," emphasized Ingo Hell, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Machining Technology Cluster.
The partner associations have also welcomed the new trade fair format. Werner Liebmann, Managing Director of the German Turned Parts Industry Association, emphasized: "Make-to-Order Days will give our industry an important platform. Contracted-based manufacturing is the backbone of a large number of key industries – and will attract the necessary attention and networking through this format."
"Messe Stuttgart has been a reliable partner for our Association for many years – and the conditions for Make-to-Order Days are ideal, especially in the strong industrial area of Baden-Württemberg with its superb infrastructure. Contracted-based manufacturing has always been an important area of activity for toolmakers since their day-to-day business includes all competencies and high-end precision. We are therefore impressed by the trade fair concept: MTO Days provides an opportunity to present the offered services on a professional platform. We are pleased to act as a partner and will support this strong format with full conviction." Ralf Dürrwächter, Managing Director of the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers
Value-added through synergies: three trade fairs to be held concurrently
One special advantage: Make-to-Order Days will be held concurrently with CastForge, International Trade Fair for Castings and Forgings with Processing, and The Battery Show Europe. This will produce valuable synergies for exhibitors and visitors alike. Especially in associated fields of technology in which precise manufacturing plays a key role, new points of contact and interdisciplinary discussion opportunities are being created.
Clear structures for maximum visibility
Make-to-Order Days offers exhibitors a unique and clearly structured stand concept which is aimed specifically at efficient business initiation. Thanks to detailed service specifications with information about application areas, production processes, materials, certifications and batch sizes, potential customers can identify suitable suppliers beforehand and ideally prepare their attendance at the trade fair leading to precisely the right connections for sustainable business in addition to the welcome random trade fair contacts. Another highlight is the stand construction concept with all-inclusive packages: a uniform, modern design ensures equality and discretion among all exhibitors. Along with organizational support, service and communication measures are also integrated. Exhibitors can therefore concentrate on everything that really matters – business initiation with the right partners.
Accompanying program with the emphasis on practice
In addition to the traditional product exhibition, the new trade fair format focuses on knowledge transfer and networking. A technical forum will examine key topics in the areas of digitalisation, precision and manufacturing trends in a practical manner. The networking area and separate meeting rooms will provide ideal conditions for personal discussions, confidential negotiations and business transactions.
Registration is now possible
Exhibitors can now register for Make-to-Order Days 2026. Registration is easy via the official event website (www-mto-days.de) of Messe Stuttgart. Interested parties can find there all important information relating to stand packages, participation opportunities and the accompanying programme. Booking early will not only secure a place at the première, but also the benefits of high visibility and reach of the new trade fair.
Ucimu: orders index for the second quarter of 2026 still down (-25.8%); foreign orders (-15.3%); dom
Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU: "We'll have to wait until the next few months to see the full effects of the hyper-depreciation, but we're very confident this measure will last until September 2028." In the second quarter of 2026, the machine tool orders index compiled by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre recorded a decline of -25.8% compared to the April-June 2025 period . In absolute value, the index stood at 47.8 (base 100 in 2021). The result expresses the difficulties that Italian machine tool manufacturers have encountered both on the domestic and foreign markets. In particular, orders collected from abroad decreased by -15.3% compared to the second quarter of 2025, for an absolute value of 63.2. Order intake in Italy also declined , falling 38.7% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 33.1. Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: “The uncertainty of the geopolitical context—shaken by wars, the Hormuz crisis, and the decidedly worrying attitude of the President of the United States toward international politics—has profoundly undermined the already precarious balance in which the industry found itself operating.” "The decline in international deliveries, given the current situation, is understandable, and we expected it. Business has slowed, but, as is our custom, we've tried to focus our offerings on those areas less directly affected by conflicts and critical issues, diversifying our product offerings wherever possible." "It is certain ," continued President Riccardo Rosa , " that the investment figures and values once ensured by the automotive industry cannot be replaced by the demand expressed by other sectors, however dynamic, such as defense, aerospace, and energy. For this reason, once again, we ask our representatives in Europe to reconsider their decision and adopt the principle of technological neutrality when defining automotive development plans. This approach would allow the industry, and its entire supply chain, to properly manage the ongoing transition, not only respecting the environment but also safeguarding, where possible, employment." Domestically, businesses awaited clarifications on the hyper-depreciation program to confirm their purchasing intentions. Since June 12th, the day all the operational steps were completed, the hyper-depreciation program has been bearing fruit. We immediately noticed a change in attitude among Italian users: orders are starting to arrive. "We'll have to wait a few more months, however, for the effect to be fully reflected in our data, but we're definitely confident. This is also because, in the meantime, we have data from the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, which, as of July 9th, reported the submission of 7,000 communications on the GSE platform, worth €2.5 billion." MIMIT deserves great credit for having established a multi-year term for this incentive. Its effectiveness until September 2028 should ensure thoughtful planning of investments in new machine tools and production technologies by Italian customers, also allowing us manufacturers to plan our production activities over the medium term. "The hope ," concluded Riccardo Rosa , " is to soon see the Italian market return to the levels it experienced in 2021-2022, when it was worth over €6 billion. This is also because our manufacturing industry needs to innovate to remain competitive in an international context where digital and AI are completely reshaping the rules of the game."
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