The lack of qualified staff is one of the biggest challenges facing the metalworking industry in Europe and worldwide. Studies such as those by the ifo Institute and the EY SME Barometer 2025 show that there is a shortage of qualified personnel, particularly in welding, with significant consequences for productivity and competitiveness.

Humanoid robots are no longer science fiction. While companies such as Boston Dynamics, Hanson Robotics, Universal Robots, Apptronik, Agility Robotics, and Figure.AI continue to drive technological progress, car manufacturers like Tesla, Toyota, and BMW are also entering this market now. They either develop their own robotic solutions or prominently showcase humanoid robots in their production facilities.

Carrosserie Vincent, the historic entity of the Vincent Group, employs 193 people at its site in Étoile-sur-Rhône (26). Specializing in bodywork for HGVs (heavy goods vehicles), light vehicles, buses, and coaches, it also designs equipment for the environment and transport.

Bystronic makes a strong impression with the launch of the ByTube Star 330, its latest 3D fiber laser tube cutting machine. Designed to maximize productivity and flexibility, it stands out as the most versatile solution on the market for the automatic machining of tubes and open sections across a diameter range from 19 to 305 mm — without requiring equipment changes.

Sustainability and resource efficiency are key topics that companies grapple with daily. Beyond profitability, the carbon footprint of their production processes and the components they manufacture is becoming increasingly important.

Declining sales in the automotive sector mean that car manufacturers are unable to utilise their factories to their full capacity and are therefore also holding back investments, such as the purchase of press lines. The installed production capacities worldwide allow for the production of some 130 million vehicles, but last year only 90 million vehicles left the sheds. In Europe and North and South America, production has not yet recovered to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels; only in Asia is it now higher.

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the linchpin for innovation, driving efficiency, precision, and sustainability across industries. AI offers unprecedented possibilities, transforming every stage of production. At its core, AI excels at processing enormous amounts of data in real time, enabling systems to adapt, learn, and optimize processes with minimal human intervention.

The sheet metal industry is undergoing significant change, driven by evolving technologies and market demands. Decades of tradition have shaped our industry, but the demands of today’s world require a new approach—one that prioritizes speed, precision, and adaptability. I see both challenges and opportunities on the horizon. The industry needs to embrace innovation, to empower users to thrive in a landscape defined by constant change.

Traditional mechanical engineering is undergoing a transformation. Digital technologies have become increasingly important, and alongside product quality, digital sophistication has been the emerging competitive advantage.

Digitalization in globalized supply chains is shifting the boundaries of production as well as the way in which companies monitor and control their manufacturing processes. A forward-looking concept in this context is Remote Operation Support – the remote assistance and control of production systems.

Bending automation, laser automation, a new laser cutter configuration system, electric bending, software, services and sustainability – these are the Bystronic highlights at EuroBLECH 2024 from October 22 to 25 in Hanover/Germany.

Bystronic supports its customers with the best solutions so that they can produce smoothly and optimally.