Shaping the future together: VDWF invites industry to ISTMA Europe Meeting in Berlin
A tool is not a commodity / Dialogue with industry leaders: Structural change is coming and toolmakers need to adapt / Experts from the automotive industry report on trends and developments
Transformation, networking, looking ahead – from 3 to 5 November, Berlin will be the meeting place for European tool and mold making, as representatives from industry, research and associations come together at the meeting of the European branch of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association, ISTMA.
The aim is to provide fresh momentum, promote discussion, and develop new perspectives for the industry. Not only national trade associations are invited, companies from across the sector are explicitly welcome too – whether they’re members of an association or not. The Association of German Tool and Mold Makers (VDWF), which is itself an active ISTMA member, will be organizing and hosting the event in the German capital.
Focus on transformation
The focus of the meeting is on the topic of transformation. «Requirements in tool and mold making are changing rapidly,» says Stephan Berz, President of ISTMA Europe and brand ambassador for the VDWF. «Now, more than ever, it is essential that we network at the European level, develop joint strategies, and send a clear message that a tool is not a commodity; it’s a high-tech means of production – one of a kind. If we come together as an industry, see change as an opportunity, and communicate our value with confidence, we will not only be able to overcome difficult phases – we will emerge from them stronger than before.»
The venue for the three-day event is the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology IPK in Berlin – a leading research institute for manufacturing and digitalization technologies. The Fraunhofer Institute combines scientific work with hands-on industrial application, and is an example of the interplay between research, innovation and practice.
The event will start on Monday with a site presentation by the individual European toolmaking associations, followed by a guided tour of the Fraunhofer IPK. On Tuesday, the focus will be on specialist talks and dialogue formats that deal with specific transformation processes within the industry – including contributions from experts in the automotive industry. As part of the subsequent networking program, the participants will take a boat tour on the river Spree, including a visit to the Reichstag building, before the day ends in an informal atmosphere with a group dinner. The theme for Wednesday is «Berlin Backstage», offering insights behind the scenes of Germany’s capital – a special end to the ISTMA Europe Meeting 2025 and an opportunity to further deepen personal connections.
Momentum for the future of European tool and mold making
The ISTMA Europe Meeting 2025 is a platform for the entire European «toolmaker ecosystem» – beyond the boundaries between associations. It’s about know-how, perspectives and, most of all, personal dialogue. «I’ll be delighted to see every single participant,» says Stephan Berz. After all, as the ISTMA Europe President goes on to explain, talks on an equal footing between decision-makers, technicians and strategists who share responsibility are what drives the industry forward.
Registration for the event is now open on the VDWF website: www.vdwf.de/aktuelles/detail/istma-europe-meeting-2025-berlin.html. Entry to the official ISTMA meeting is free of charge. Admission to the additional networking program, which starts on Tuesday afternoon during the event, will be available for a fee of 295 euros.
Additional information
ISTMA
The International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA) is the global association for toolmakers. Founded in 1973, the association represents national and regional associations as well as companies from these sectors. It serves as a global platform for the exchange of knowledge, technologies and best practices from the tool and mold-making industry. The main roles of ISTMA are to promote international cooperation, to represent the industry at a political and economic level, and to support its members by providing market analyses, innovation transfer, and training initiatives. In addition to this, ISTMA regularly organizes conferences, trade fairs and working groups on relevant industry topics. The operational work is supported by specialized committees and working groups.
ISTMA is divided into three regions – Europe, America and Asia – each with its own regional organizations. The umbrella organization is headed by an international board of directors, which is made up of representatives of the member associations.
Pictures
