Growth, internationality and innovative strength

Published the 18/11/2025

The trade fair for casting and forging components and their processing opens its fourth edition with record attendance.

The CastForge success story continues: when the doors open for its fourth edition at Messe Stuttgart from June 9 to 11, 2026, the industry can look forward to a top-class event. Already eight months before the event begins, this trade fair is almost fully booked. Around 500 exhibitors from over 30 countries will present their solutions along the entire value chain, from raw part production to machining and the finished component.

CastForge strongly reaffirms its position as the central European platform for casting and forging components and their processing. The significant increase in exhibitor numbers, the high level of internationality, and the expanded supporting program underscore the fair's focus: more expertise, more networking, more future-proofing. "CastForge has long been an integral part of the international trade fair calendar," emphasized Sebastian Schmid, member of the management of Messe Stuttgart. "This event combines the operational capabilities of the supplier industry with the requirements of modern procurement processes, thus creating a perfect marketplace for innovation and quality."

Focus, Specialization, Success
The CastForge concept is compelling with its clear positioning: the focus is on cast and forged components and their processing. More than a multi-sector overview, it is a targeted meeting point for decision-makers, buyers, and developers in the most relevant end-use sectors. This specialization is appreciated by both established and new exhibitors. Christoph Gollan, Head of Sales for the D-A-CH region and Head of Marketing at Karl Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG, gets straight to the point: "CastForge is now the central point of contact for the open-work forging and casting technology industry. In 2018, it was still a small local event; today, it is an international platform for the metalworking and foundry industry. CastForge is the beating heart of our marketing strategy. Here, we meet our customers, competitors, and industry supporters live and in person, at an easily accessible location in the heart of Germany."

Numerous international companies, including Hasçelik Türkiye (Turkey), Thoni Alutec Sp. z o.o. (Poland) and ULMA Forged Solutions (Spain) will be focusing on Stuttgart in 2026, many of which will present significantly expanded exhibition space and a broader product offering.

"We believe CastForge 2026 will be a valuable platform to strengthen our relationships within the European manufacturing ecosystem and initiate new collaborations. The fair's focus on the entire process chain - from casting and forging to final processing—perfectly reflects Hasçelik's holistic manufacturing approach and our commitment to quality and innovation," said Cem FaydasÄ±çok, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Hasçelik. The Turkish company has expanded its production capacity with the commissioning of a new steelmaking plant and will be participating in CastForge for the first time to engage with industry professionals from around the world. Hasçelik produces specialty steels for numerous industries, including automotive, mechanical engineering, consumer goods, fastening systems, and hydraulics.

The Polish company Thoni Alutec Sp. z o.o. is also aware of the importance of trade fairs like CastForge for a company's marketing strategy and market development: "Trade fairs are an important showcase for us and an integral part of our marketing strategy. They reflect economic trends - we experience strong years and weaker ones. Especially in our industry, personal interaction, especially with new customers, remains essential. At our CastForge stand, we regularly welcome large corporate groups from the mechanical engineering, robotics, energy, railways, medical technology, defense, and many other sectors. Here, we meet decision-makers with whom we implement new projects, from the planning stage to the finished product," said owner Ludwig Thoni. The company has been a regular exhibitor since the first edition of CastForge.

Aitzol Aramburu, Export Area Manager for ULMA Forged Solutions, is firmly convinced of the fair's great potential. The company will exhibit at CastForge for the first time in 2026: "As a specialized trade fair for forged and cast products, CastForge offers ideal conditions to further increase ULMA Forged Solutions' visibility. We use this platform to acquire potential new customers, strengthen existing relationships, and engage in technical discussions with other market players. After enjoying the fair as a visitor in 2024, we expect particularly high participation and strong interest in forging companies in 2026."

Supporting program 2026: ideas for the future of production
The supporting program of CastForge 2026 is focused on current developments and future topics in the sector. The specialized stage within the exhibition hall will offer a series of specialized lectures, roundtables, and practical examples that will offer valuable insights into technological trends and market strategies. The event will be complemented by workshops, best practice sessions, and networking formats designed to provide numerous opportunities for knowledge exchange and the development of new collaborations. The combination of trade fair, knowledge transfer, and specialized discussion makes CastForge an important driving platform for the development of the European casting and forging industry.

Strong partners from the industry and associations
One of CastForge's key success factors is its close collaboration with associations, institutions, and specialized organizations. Numerous partners will continue to support the trade fair in 2026. Together, they will develop technical content and discussion formats that meet the industry's current challenges - from the efficient use of raw materials and energy to sustainability, digitalization, and the security of skilled labor supply.

Assofond (Italian Foundry Association) has made a particularly significant statement, with 16 member companies representing the trade fair. "The current economic landscape is complex: every day presents a new challenge for the Italian foundry industry, marked by the highest energy and raw material costs in the world, the instability of global markets, and growing international competitive pressure, also due to new EU regulations such as CBAM and ETS2. Our companies continue to react with great resilience, adapting their production models and striving for efficiency. However, mounting obstacles seriously threaten the survival of our sector. In this context, initiatives like CastForge, which promote dialogue, visibility, and new opportunities along the entire value chain, are more important than ever. This is why Assofond wholeheartedly supports CastForge," explained Fabio Zanardi, President of Assofond.

The international network continues to grow
In just a few years, CastForge has established itself as a fixture at international trade fairs. An increasing number of companies from Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia are taking the opportunity to showcase their manufacturing expertise in Stuttgart. At the same time, the number of trade visitors from key sectors such as mechanical engineering, plant construction, drive technology, as well as manufacturers of pumps, hydraulic systems, and industrial vehicles is growing.

The combination of strong internationality, technical focus, and quality networking makes CastForge one of the leading B2B platforms for the European metalworking supplier industry.

CastForge
CastForge, an international trade fair specializing in castings, forgings, and machining, brings together manufacturers, processors, and industrial buyers. From June 9 to 11, 2026, this trade fair in Stuttgart will showcase the full spectrum of expertise: from design and production to the component ready for assembly. In parallel, the exhibition center will host other industry events, including Make-to-Order Days, a trade fair for buyers of precision parts, made-to-order manufacturing, and machining, and The Battery Show Europe, which will help generate further synergies for exhibitors and visitors.

For more information: CastForge 2026

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