Future of Global Manufacturing Technologies SIMTOS 2026 Kicks Off: 1,315 Exhibitors from 35 Countries

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SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

The 21st Seoul International Manufacturing Technology Show 2026 (SIMTOS 2026), hosted by Korea Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (KOMMA), held its opening ceremony on the morning of April 13 and began its official 5-day schedule.

Under the theme “AI Autonomous Manufacturing Meets Talent,” SIMTOS will be held at KINTEX Exhibition Centers 1 and 2 from April 13 to 17, 2026. It serves as an industrial platform that introduces both the present and future of global manufacturing technologies. This year’s exhibition features 1,315 companies from 35 countries, occupying a total of 6,059 booths. 

SIMTOS, Korea’s biggest manufacturing exhibition, also acts as a global platform for the exchange of manufacturing technologies. With international participants accounting for 53.1% of the total, this year’s event features national pavilions from 7 countries, including Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan, and China, showcasing their representative manufacturing technologies. Furthermore, 20 associations and organizations from 12 countries are participating, providing a venue for strengthening international collaboration and expanding industrial networks.

At the opening ceremony held in Hall 3 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 1, KOMMA Chairman Kim Won-jong stated in his opening address, “As intelligent manufacturing systems equipped with AI Transformation, manufacturing data, and automatic technologies expand throughout the entire industry, the machine tool industry is expanding its role as a core foundational industry that leads manufacturing innovation.” He introduced the exhibition, stating, “SIMTOS 2026 is held at a critical turning point where the industry is evolving into AI-centered autonomous manufacturing, and key technologies that will lead the future of manufacturing innovation will be featured all in one place.”

He continued, “SIMTOS has established itself as more than just an exhibition and become a platform where participating companies and demand-side companies connect to generate tangible business results,” He added, “We anticipate this exhibition will serve as an opportunity for companies to create new markets and for participants to suggest directions for manufacturing innovation.”

After the opening ceremony, key figures toured Exhibition Centers 1 and 2, visiting major participating companies and the themed pavilions. At Exhibition Center 1, they visited SMEC, KCNC, Hyundai WIA, Hwacheon Machinery Co., Ltd., and DN Solutions to observe their equipment, processing technologies, and products that contribute to strengthening Korea’s manufacturing competitive edge. At Exhibition Center 2, they visited INTERX, the AI Factory Pavilion, Rainbow Robotics, HK Global, TRUMPF Korea, and Bodor Laser Co., Ltd. to directly witness their digital manufacturing and automated manufacturing technologies.

SIMTOS 2026 presents a three-dimensional view of manufacturing technology trends based on metal processing and changes in the industrial structure in the manufacturing AX era through 5 specialized pavilions, including the Metal Cutting & Die·Mold Tech Pavilion, Material·Parts & Control Tech Pavilion, Tooling & Measuring Tech Pavilion, Metal Cutting-Off & Welding Tech Pavilion, and Press & Forming Tech Pavilion, and the Manufacturing Automation & Robot Digital Transformation Exhibition (M.A.D.E. in SIMTOS).

This exhibition goes beyond technology networking and operates as a comprehensive platform that connects talents. The “AI Factory Pavilion” at Hall 7 of Exhibition Center 2 presents future manufacturing systems combined with equipment, data, and AI. Various programs, such as the “Global Manufacturing AX Innovation Conference,” “Women Engineer Network Forum,” “Open Stage Seminar,” and “Career Connect (job fair),” strengthen the connection and expandability of the ecosystem between the exhibition, industry, and business.

At SIMTOS 2026 where about 100,000 participants are planned to participate over 5 days from April 13 to 17, various programs will be held for guests to experience, such as the “Technical Guide Tour,” where guests can gain a deep understanding of digital manufacturing and manufacturing AX trends, along with the “Stamp Tour,” “Giveaway Event,” and “Photo Zone.”

Meanwhile, since its launch in 1984, SIMTOS has grown alongside the manufacturing industry for over 40 years, and has now established itself beyond a simple equipment exhibition to become a global manufacturing platform that connects exhibitions, conferences, business matchings, and talents. In particular, SIMTOS 2026 has been selected by the Korean government as a “Global Top Exhibition” and acknowledged for its international competitiveness, reinforcing its status as a key business platform that connects global manufacturing industries.