Manufacturer Leaders Abroad: “Adventures with: Peter, Travis & Nicole” – an EMO Show Report

OTOBER 11, 2023MARY CECILE NEVILLE

How does the European market look relative to the United States? Are they facing some of the same challenges in workforce development? What about technology introduction? And what is so different about a big trade show in Europe vs. IMTS?

To explore business and cultural differences, tune into “Adventures with: Peter, Travis & Nicole,” a new IMTS+ video mini-series that is part business and part travel vlog and digs into those questions during a trip to the EMO show which took place in Hannover, Germany, this September. You can find all the “Adventures with:” videos on IMTS+ and the IMTS LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

EMO is often considered the IMTS of Europe. With that in mind, IMTS wanted to give the North American audience a view of EMO through three different perspectives:

Peter Eelman, CXO at AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, has been leading IMTS since 1996 and is a frequent visitor to European trade events.

Travis Egan is CRO at AMT and focuses on working with AMT members and leading manufacturing technology OEMs.

Nicole Wolter is president and CEO of HM Manufacturing and current chairperson of TMA, the Technology and Machining Association. She is a manufacturing business leader with deep IMTS experience (learn more), and this is her first visit to EMO.

Similarities and Differences

Eelman, Egan, and Wolter connect with companies and people that are familiar to IMTS audiences, including:

Mike Cicco, president and CEO of FANUC America Corp.

Brendt Holden, president of HAIMER USA

Gisbert Ledvon, vice president of marketing at HEIDENHAIN North America

Alexander Zoller, president of ZOLLER, Inc,

Jelle De Roovere, managing director at RoboJob GmbH

New connections include Barbara Colombo, CEO of FICEP Spa, a three-generation family manufacturing company, plus Eelman’s tour of the Hanover Fairgrounds will be a new experience for many American manufacturers. The “Adventures with: Peter, Travis & Nicole” covers each of these experiences and connections in a new video.

Highlights and insights offered in these EMO adventures:

Even though Germany is renowned for its tradition of skilled trade apprenticeships, Germany and Europe also have the same labor challenges as the U.S.

To address the issue, EMO has a big focus on digitalization, robotics, and extending automation beyond the machine (much like IMTS). Each of the “Adventures with:” episodes features new equipment that addresses these issues.

One of the themes from EMO is a greater emphasis on companies reducing their carbon footprint. A particular machine launched at EMO may have the same features as one introduced at IMTS, but in Europe, a reduction in energy consumption will be a bigger selling point. U.S. companies should consider this factor as they develop machinery for all global markets.

Women leaders in manufacturing face similar challenges as they build their careers. Nicole Wolter’s conversation with Barbara Columbo is a must-watch interview for aspiring young women in manufacturing. In addition to being CEO of FICEP Spa, she is also president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian association of manufacturers of machine tools, robots, and automation systems.

Some markets show better resiliency to economic softening, including aerospace.

Where IMTS occupies McCormick Place, EMO is dispersed among multiple buildings and features a bus system to help shuttle people around the fairgrounds.

Building Relationships

European trade shows emphasize socializing. Many exhibitors have a sit-down biergarten or cafe and offer appetizers, and larger exhibitors may even have a full lunch service. You may discuss business during lunch, but recognize that Europeans value relationships. They take the opportunity to get to know people at shows like EMO, so don’t pass up an opportunity to linger over an espresso. If you happen to enjoy beer, grab a glass a say, “Ein prosit!” (A toast!) to your business companion.

To learn more about the new products introduced at EMO, more insights about the European manufacturing industry, and more, watch all the “Adventures with: Peter, Travis & Nicole” videos on IMTS+ and the IMTS LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

25/10/2023