CastForge entered its third round whereby media representatives were welcomed by Messe Stuttgart together with the Industrieverband Massivumformung e. V., the Bundesverband der Deutschen Gießerei-Industrie e. V. (BDG) and the Großabnehmerverband Energie Baden-Württemberg e. V.
CastForge is backed by the industry
With 9,654 square meters of exhibition space, 491 companies and an international share of 72 percent, the trade fair for castings and forgings with machining is showing impressive growth. “As an internationally oriented trade fair company, we are delighted with this development and the popularity of the industry. This success is due to the close cooperation with national and international industry associations,” emphasizes Roland Bleinroth, Managing Director, Messe Stuttgart.
Challenging times make exchange more important than ever
Max Schumacher, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the German Foundry Industry, emphasizes the importance of the trade fair: “CastForge is an important get-together for our industry to discuss developments and challenges in the current crisis of industrial locations. The fight against climate change can only succeed with Germany as the European casting champion. To achieve this, we need an industrial and energy policy that sees industry as a partner rather than an opponent and that does not overburden SMEs. This includes lower electricity costs and less bureaucracy, as well as a moratorium on the Supply Chain Sustainability Act.”
Tobias Hain, Managing Director, Industrieverband Massivumformung e. V., looks back on developments in recent years and summarizes possible solutions: “The German forging industry has emerged from the crises of recent years into a stable position. However, the current political priorities in Germany and Europe are leading to increasingly difficult framework conditions. We need low energy costs, a reduction in bureaucracy, a modern infrastructure and realistic, technology-open environmental regulations! In this way, we can play to our innovative strengths, concentrate our efforts on the transformation and remain internationally competitive.
Wolfgang Ruch, Managing Director, Großabnehmerverband Energie Baden-Württemberg e. V., also emphasizes the high costs of the energy transition and the resulting effects: “The costs of the energy transition are enormous - over €1.2 trillion by 2035. Investments will be incentivized through subsidies, grants and tariffs and the costs are passed on to final consumers through grid fees and levies. Electricity costs will continue to rise in Germany and far exceed the cost-reducing effect of the expansion of renewable energies on the electricity exchange price. There is no longer a level playing field for energy cost-intensive industry in the European and global context. It is important to address these issues, engage in dialogue and use platforms such as CastForge.”
Until June 6, 2024, castings and forgings with machining will be the focus of attention at the Stuttgart exhibition grounds.
About CastForge
As a trade fair, CastForge focuses on cast and forged parts and their processing. Every two years, the casting and forging industry meets at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center to present its range of products and services. International manufacturers of cast and forged parts as well as highly specialized processors meet industrial buyers from the mechanical and plant engineering, drive technology, pump and hydraulics industries and commercial vehicle construction.
At the same time as CastForge, SurfaceTechnology GERMANY will take place at Messe Stuttgart. Visitors can enter this trade fair for free with their CastForge ticket.
Further information can be found at www.castforge.de
