Elmia Production Fairs: Swedish Manufacturing Industry Shows the Way Forward

The Nordic region's largest business arena for production in the manufacturing industry. 500 exhibitors spread across six parallel fairs under one roof. Elmia Production Fairs 2026 once again put Jönköping on the map as the meeting place where the Swedish manufacturing industry looks ahead – with innovation, transformation and new business opportunities.

The common thread running through all six fairs is perhaps best summarised by Martin Paland, CEO of Bromi Gruppen, exhibitor at Elmia Machine Tools:

– What we are really selling here is confidence in the future.

A belief in the future and new business opportunities expressed through an enormous range of high-tech machining equipment, smart automation, measurement systems, software and all the other equipment required to take Swedish industry into the future.

Packed programme – and packed seminar rooms

A packed daily programme with lectures and presentations on the fair stages attracted large audiences. Industrial transformation, technological shifts and the manufacturing capability of the future were high on the agenda. A widely noted seminar was held by Per Öster, advisor at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters, who spoke about the Swedish Armed Forces’ need for advanced manufacturing – and why Swedish industry is a key part of that work.

– We want to build a national, scalable production capacity preferably based on Swedish supply chains. The closer we get to Sweden’s core, the safer it becomes, explained Per Öster.

Another theme on the Main Stage focused on security, competence and technological transformation: what is required for Swedish industry to navigate correctly? The panel participants representing Sandvik Coromant, MTAS and the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters gave three different but highly relevant answers to what will determine the future of Swedish industry over the next five years: process control, secure supply chains and competence.

For those wanting to go even deeper, expert-led workshops were offered on topics such as cybersecurity, machine safety and AI in manufacturing. Guided themed tours based on the fairs’ themes Smart Industry, Sustainable Industry and Adaptable Industry gave visitors new insights as selected exhibitors shared their experiences.

The right visitors – the right business opportunities

The quality of the fair visitors was a recurring theme in exhibitor feedback. Per Selskog, CEO of Din Maskin and exhibitor at Elmia Sheet Metal, put into words what many expressed:

– The quality of the visitors to our stand has been better than ever before, stated Per.

It is an assessment that reflects something important: Elmia Production Fairs attracts decision-makers and key individuals who are actually ready to invest. And business was done – handshakes on the exhibition floor, a tradition that lives on.

Sustainability and circularity in focus

At Elmia Polymer, it was clearly demonstrated how circular solutions are an important prerequisite for the plastics industry of the future. New technology creates new opportunities for efficient recycling – benefiting both sustainability and profitability.

– In a situation with increased material prices and uncertain raw material flows, material recycling becomes crucial, stated Bengt Rimark, CEO of K.D. Feddersen.

At Elmia 3D, sustainability was highlighted from another perspective – through material-efficient manufacturing on demand in both small and large production series, but also through new business models lowering the threshold for investment in additive manufacturing. This year, the fair had a broader offering than ever before.

– For the first time, we have created a business arena for materials, machines, accessories and even service providers. Elmia 3D is a complete meeting place for additive manufacturing in Sweden, says Mikael Ström, Fair Manager.

Smart automation – for everyone

At Elmia Automation, the breadth of what modern automation can mean was demonstrated, from autonomous mobile robots in the AMR Arena to the humanoid robot Unitree G1, introduced by the Danish Technological Institute – a concrete example of what future human-robot collaboration in industry may look like.

Developments in automation are creating entirely new opportunities also for small and medium-sized companies. Not least through cobots – easy to program, easy to position and quickly adaptable.

Software and automation were also closely connected at Elmia Sheet Metal, where several exhibitors emphasised that flexibility and adaptability are key to competitiveness. To achieve this, suppliers are required who not only sell a machine but can deliver a complete solution including automation, service and aftermarket support. With easy-to-program automation and smart software, you are not tied to a specific solution for one product only – you become flexible and can easily adapt to new projects.

The invisible glue – and the skills shortage

At Elmia Welding & Joining Technology, the decisive role of welding and joining in all manufacturing was highlighted – the invisible glue holding products together. But also one of the industry’s most urgent challenges: the skills shortage.

– Things are becoming critical, stated Marie Allvar Kärrbrandt, welding engineer at Svetskommissionen.

Skills supply is not only a welding issue – it is a critical issue for the entire manufacturing industry. The Swedish CNC Championship celebrated Sweden’s young talents during Elmia Machine Tools, and the final day of the fair was, as usual, designated Student Day when students from upper secondary schools, vocational colleges and universities visited the fair to meet future employers and be challenged by innovative technology.

– At Elmia Production Fairs 2026, we saw how the Swedish manufacturing industry is taking the next step through smart technology, new collaborations and a strong focus on transformation and competitiveness. It creates confidence in the future for the entire industry, say Mikael Ström and Bengt Johansson, Fair Managers for Elmia Production Fairs.

Visitor figures Elmia Production Fairs 2026:

• Elmia Welding & Joining Technology and Elmia Sheet Metal: 8.445 visitors
• Elmia Machine Tools: 12.850 visitors
• Elmia Polymer and Elmia 3D: 5.244 visitors
• Elmia Automation: 8.726 visitors

Elmia Production Fairs is organised by Elmia in collaboration with the industry organisations MTAS, SWIRA, SVEAT, Svetskommissionen, Plastmaskingruppen and SPIF.

Elmia Production Fairs consists of Elmia 3D, Elmia Automation, Elmia Sheet Metal, Elmia Polymer, Elmia Welding & Joining Technology and Elmia Machine Tools.

Welcome to Elmia Production Fairs 16–19 May 2028!