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Although there is no easy answer to this, one thing is clear: The demands on our industry have changed fundamentally. Resilient supply chains, technological autonomy, sustainable production and the intelligent use of new technologies have long since ceased to be issues for the future. They dictate how we act today.
And this is precisely why Additive Manufacturing has become a key technology in recent years. It allows us to develop products faster, manufacture components right where they are needed, and make production processes much more flexible. What was seen as an exciting new development just a few years ago is rapidly becoming an integral part of modern industrial value creation.
We see this trend every year at Formnext. Our trade show is much more than just a platform for new machinery or materials. It’s a place where ideas are born, partnerships flourish and innovations make the leap into real-world industrial applications. And that’s exactly what makes Formnext so special.
With this year’s Formnext Defence Summit, we are deliberately shifting our focus to a new area. The changes in security policy over recent years have shown that resilience today is also a matter of technological capability. Additive Manufacturing can play an important part in this – by supporting decentralised production, digital spare parts warehouses or the rapid manufacture of complex components right where they are needed.
And this doesn’t only apply to the defence sector. These same technologies can also boost the competitiveness of companies in the aerospace, mechanical engineering, medical technology, energy and automotive sectors. If you want to make supply chains more resilient, use resources more efficiently and respond more quickly to change, you can benefit from the same innovative approaches.
Formnext has always reflected the latest developments in our industry. It brings people together who don’t just talk about the future but actively shape it. This aspiration is also what drives us as organisers. We aim to provide guidance, foster dialogue and address issues that have a lasting impact on our industry.
I am firmly convinced that we can only overcome the challenges of our time by working together with openness, a spirit of innovation and the courage to break new ground. That is exactly what Formnext stands for.
I hope you enjoy reading these articles filled with exciting new perspectives and look forward to seeing you in person at Formnext 2026 in Frankfurt.
Sincerely,
Sascha F. Wenzler
Vice President Formnext
