The world’s leading countries in machine-tool manufacturing will meet in just a few weeks at the first large-scale international encounter in their speciality: the Spanish Machine-Tool Biennial. As a result, more than 1,500 companies from over 30 countries have already contracted a total of 765 stands, occupying all 6 halls at Bilbao Exhibition Centre. From 3 to 8 March they will present their latest advances in the following sectors: metal cutting machine-tools, CAD/CAM/CAE metrology, accessories, tooling, metal forming, laser, marking, automation, hydraulics, handling, robotics, pneumatics, other machines and welding. All this will provide, at yet another edition, a high level industrial and technological showcase.

After the recovery experienced by the European machine-tool sector in recent months and the opening up of new market prospects in the context of a more normalised international situation, the BIEMH’08 emerges as a strategic venue, highlighted by reasonable optimism. Consequently, the aims of the event: to make new contacts, identify potential buyers or sellers, analyse export and import opportunities and learn about progress in the sector, are the main reasons considered by the companies registered to date.

The sectors occupying the largest areas will be metal cutting machine-tools, followed by metal forming machine tools, in addition to tooling and accessories for machine tools.

The rest of the exhibition will be composed of other products such as electrical and electronic equipment, handling and robotics, hydraulic and pneumatic units, metrology and quality control, welding and flame-cutting, workshop and company services, CAD/CAM/CAE, and other machinery and equipment.

Italy, Germany and Taiwan are the countries presenting the largest supply of items at the exhibition. They will also be strongly represented, as will France, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, the UK and the USA.

Among all the foreign visitors, due to the quality of their members, the presence of purchasing delegations is a very important feature for the event. There are currently almost 300 professionals, from more than 25 countries, who have arranged their visit to the exhibition using this formula, addressed to purchasers around the world, who are mainly company owners, general managers and sales managers.

Standing out this year, due to the number of professional involved, are France, Italy, Venezuela, Chile, Algeria, Singapore, Brazil and Argentina. On their part, Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal and the USA will repeat attendance after the success achieved at previous editions. The sectors to which most of the over 300 delegation members currently registered belong to are dies and moulds, forging and foundry, metal construction, capital equipment, automotive and auto parts. In addition to these delegations, there will also be foreign professionals who visit the event individually.

Once again, BAI, the Bizkaia Innovation Agency, in cooperation with the Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association of Spain (AFM) and Bilbao Exhibition Centre, have called the ninth edition of the National Machine-Tool Design Award.

Although the three main categories correspond to metal cutting machine-tools, metal forming machine-tools and large size in these modalities, the panel can award special mentions for ergonomics, safety and communication. Applied to machine-tools, the added value contributed by design affects improvements in aesthetic appearance, safety, ease of use, ergonomics and maintenance, thereby complementing their technological development.

The BIEMH is organised jointly by Bilbao Exhibition Centre and the Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association of Spain (AFM).