Bengaluru, India From 21 to 25 January 2026, the 21st IMTEX FORMING exhibition roared to life at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), reaffirming its stature as Asia’s premier metal forming and manufacturing technology event. Organized by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), this five-day showcase brought together industry leaders, innovators, academics, and policymakers under one roof to spotlight cutting-edge technologies driving the future of industrial production.
The exhibition, officially inaugurated by Dr. S. Rajkumar, President – Engine Component Division, Rane (Madras) Limited, alongside Tarun Mehta, Co-founder & CEO of Ather Energy, welcomed thousands of visitors and more than 714 exhibitors from 24 countries, spanning four vast halls and nearly 48,000 square metres of exhibition space.
“The scale and diversity of participation at IMTEX FORMING 2026 reflect a pivotal shift in manufacturing trends worldwide,” said Ms. Mohini Kelkar, President of IMTMA. She emphasized that metal forming technologies today account for nearly 29% of the Indian machine tool market, with strong prospects for further expansion in the years ahead.
A Confluence of Innovation and Industry Collaboration
IMTEX FORMING 2026 didn’t just exhibit machines it mapped the future of digital transformation and high-productivity manufacturing. In addition to core forming technologies, the event featured three major concurrent pavilions:
- Tooltech, spotlighting machine tool accessories, metrology solutions, and tooling systems.
- Digital Manufacturing, showcasing the latest in additive manufacturing, robotics, cobots, and Industry 4.0 solutions.
- Weldexpo, organized with the Indian Institute of Welding, featuring advanced welding technologies crucial to modern production lines.
Additionally, co-located events such as Moldex India and Fastenex India brought moulding, fasteners, and fixing tech into the spotlight, broadening the exhibition’s industrial scope.
Beyond Machines: Thought Leadership and Future Talent
The exhibition floor buzzed with not just live demonstrations but deep discourse. Highlights included the International Seminar on Forming Technology, where global experts unpacked trends in process optimization, automation, and advanced materials.
The i2 Academia Pavilion offered a gateway for research institutions to present breakthrough R&D to industry professionals a crucial bridge between academic innovation and industrial application.
Meanwhile, the Jagruti IMTMA Youth Programme spotlighted emerging talent and encouraged the next generation of engineers to engage with smart manufacturing technologies, far beyond textbooks and classrooms.
Global Engagement and Market Impact
With country pavilions featuring Germany, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan, the event reinforced India’s importance in the global manufacturing value chain. Exhibitors demonstrated everything from laser-based forming systems and servo presses to precision automation solutions, underscoring the sector’s pivot to smart production and export-ready capabilities.
Industry voices at the event echoed optimism. “Exhibitors are not just showcasing machines; they are forging partnerships that will define how manufacturing evolves over the next decade,” shared one senior delegate.
For more info:
www.imtex.in
