NexGeM trade fair to unite mechanical engineering and IT in Hannover

The Association of German Machine Tool Builders (VDW) has announced NexGeM (Next Generation Metalworking), a new trade fair scheduled to take place from April 5 to 8, 2027, in Hannover. Co-located with the Hannover Messe, NexGeM aims to bridge the gap between mechanical engineering and the IT and software sectors.

According to VDW Managing Director Markus Heering, the event addresses the need to treat machine tools as integrated components of a digital industrial value chain rather than isolated solutions. The fair will focus on the digital transformation of metalworking companies, demonstrating how automation, robotics, networking, and software platforms can increase efficiency and profitability.

Key technological themes will include Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), cloud and edge technologies, and cybersecurity.