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), 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 (here). 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.
