The 33rd edition of the International Machine Tool Exhibition (BIEMH 2026) concluded after welcoming more than 39,000 industry professionals from nearly 65 countries, reaffirming its position as one of the most significant global gatherings for the advanced manufacturing sector.
Speaking at the closing press conference, key industry representatives including Xabier Basañez, General Director of BEC; Mª Carmen Gorostiza, Event Manager of BIEMH; Xabier Ortueta, General Director of AFM Cluster; José Pérez Berdud, President of AFM Cluster; and José Ignacio Ortiz de Urbina, President of AIMHE, highlighted the exhibition’s strong international participation and its role in advancing the manufacturing industry.
“BIEMH 2026 has established itself as the first major international showcase of the year for advanced manufacturing, offering early insights into the key technological trends that will shape innovation across the sector,” said Xabier Basañez, General Director of BEC. He also noted that the timing of the exhibition was particularly relevant for the industry at a moment when renewed momentum and collaboration are needed.
This year’s edition featured 1,543 exhibiting companies from 34 countries, transforming the six halls of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) into a vibrant hub for manufacturing technology, innovation, and industry collaboration.
According to the organisers, the strong participation and international engagement have made the 33rd edition of BIEMH a resounding success, reinforcing the event’s status as a key meeting point for manufacturers, technology providers, and industrial leaders from across the globe.
Gorostiza confirmed this, stressing that “BIEMH has showcased an innovative and resilient industry within a complex global context. We opened the international calendar with a strong event. Companies have expressed highly positive feedback regarding their participation in BIEMH 2026, where they have presented more than 3,350 products across all areas of manufacturing, interacted with visitors from around the world, and generated strategic contacts and business opportunities.”
Along the same lines, Berdud stated: “BIEMH has once again demonstrated the strength of a decisive sector for industrial competitiveness: dynamic, innovative and technologically advanced. Sixty-five years later, the Machine Tool Exibhition continues to be the great showcase of the talent and capabilities of our companies, and a key element in strengthening the role of industry in the progress of our society.”
Likewise, Ortiz de Urbina highlighted that “the change of dates to March has proven to be the right decision. Taking place at the beginning of the year, many clients have attended with new projects that we hope will result in business operations in the coming months. Once again, BIEMH consolidates itself as the meeting point between manufacturers and importers, reflecting the close collaboration and complementarity that characterise the value chain of the advanced manufacturing ecosystem.”
Regarding visitor origin, the presence of 50% of professionals from outside the Basque Country was noteworthy. Visitors from all Spanish regions attended BIEMH, mainly from Catalonia, Navarra, Castilla y León, Madrid, Cantabria, Valencia and Galicia. International visitors came from Portugal, Germany, France, Italy, India, Mexico, China and Türkiye, as well as notable delegations from the US, Colombia, Japan, the UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Argentina.
The main areas of interest were distributed as follows: 27% machining and forming equipment; 25% tools, components and accessories; 24% automation, robotics and digitalization; 13% production and business services; and 6% metrology.
The profile of attending professionals included directors or managers, owners, department heads and technicians from industries such as automotive (26%), capital goods (17%), aeronautics and aerospace (16%), steel (13%), energy (9%), railway (8%), oil & gas (5%) and shipbuilding (2%).
Institutional commitment to the industry was strongly visible throughout the week. During BIEMH—opened by the Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales—Bilbao Exhibition Centre welcomed a wide representation of institutions, including the Basque Government, the Provincial Councils, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism, ICEX, and the city councils of Barakaldo, Bilbao, Soraluce, Deba and Elgoibar, among others. Media presence was also significant, with 140 journalists conducting nearly 120 interviews.
Successful Edition of the Hosted Buyers’ Programme
Companies participating in the BIEMH Hosted Buyers’ Programme expressed highly positive feedback, highlighting the event’s potential as a platform for business and international cooperation. Throughout the week, around 300 international buyers from 26 countries toured the six halls of Bilbao Exhibition Centre to identify competitive technological solutions, discover the latest market developments and anticipate future industry trends. Companies were impressed by BIEMH 2026’s ability to connect needs, innovation and real business opportunities.
This year, the event’s global dimension was especially prominent. The international outreach campaign, expanded to new sectors and destinations, facilitated the arrival of delegations from India —the standout country of this edition with 20 companies— as well as from the United States, Mexico, Germany, Türkiye, Portugal, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, France, Italy, China, Brazil and the Netherlands.
At national level, the presence of buyer companies was equally significant. The event also enjoyed support from 73 national associations and the special participation of international bodies such as ISTMA, the International Special Tooling and Machining Association.
Networking and Knowledge at the core of the agenda
The agenda plays a key role at BIEMH, with Innovation Workshops standing out: sessions where exhibiting companies in robotics, automation and digitalisation showcased their latest developments and explained their real-world industrial applications.
The programme also featured the 16th edition of the Innovation Awards by BIEMH, organized by AFM Cluster and BEC. The award for innovation in machine tools, components, accessories and tools was granted ex aequo to IBARMIA and ZAYER. In additive manufacturing and 3D printing, the winner was SICNOVA. LANTEK was recognized in the digitalization category, and SORALUCE in automation. The new award for the most innovative exhibition proposal by an importer went to INTERMAHER.
Professional networking was further strengthened through the WIN – Women in Industry initiative, organized by PWN (Professional Women’s Network), with conferences, panel discussions and dialogue spaces aimed at highlighting women’s roles in industry and fostering cultural transformation toward greater diversity and parity.
Social activities included the Welcome Reception on the first day, the reception for buyer visitors hosted by Barakaldo City Council, and a new edition of BIEMH Fest at Azkuna Zentroa – Alhóndiga Bilbao. Throughout the five days, CARPE BIEMH AREA in Hall 4 served as a relaxed meeting point.
Career opportunities for industrial talent at WORKinn Talent HUB
Employment and professional development in the industrial sector once again took centre stage at BIEMH through the WORKinn Talent Hub, the dedicated space for showcasing career opportunities in the industry. This edition featured more than 30 companies and organisations presenting over 370 job opportunities and sharing direct insights into their recruitment processes and the most in-demand profiles.
A total of 4,128 students from 92 educational centres and 504 teachers visited BEC.
WORKinn Talent Hub is particularly relevant at a time when the industrial labour market faces major generational challenges. In the Basque Country alone, more than 625,000 job openings will need to be filled by 2036, many due to retirements—highlighting the importance of initiatives that connect young talent with industry opportunities.
Throughout the week, the forum brought together students, professionals and jobseekers, offering access to the industrial labour market through the Employment Forum, the Inspire Area —with hands-on experiences to explore different careers— and a Food & Art Area that provided a relaxed atmosphere for exchanging ideas and networking.
The next edition of BIEMH will take place from 6 to 10 March 2028.
BIEMH is organised by AFM, Machine Tool Manufacturers; AIMHE, Machine Tools Importers; and Bilbao Exhibition Centre, and it is supported by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and SPRI – Basque Government as Institutional Partners.
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