Hosted by SVAZ NÁSTROJÁREN, the meeting took place alongside the International Engineering Fair (MSV Brno), providing an opportunity to connect the European tooling community with one of Central Europe's leading industrial events. The meeting brought together around 35 participants from eight countries.
Competitiveness and European cooperation at the heart of the discussions
The meeting focused on the need to strengthen cooperation among European mould and tool manufacturers in order to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the industry, particularly in the face of growing international competition.
The discussions highlighted the importance of a more coordinated European response to the challenges facing the industry, including increasing competitive pressure from other regions and the need to safeguard Europe's industrial know-how, skills and manufacturing capabilities.
The Brno meeting forms part of ISTMA Europe's broader agenda to strengthen the competitiveness and visibility of the European tooling industry through market intelligence, knowledge sharing and engagement with policymakers. It also precedes ISTMA Europe's planned activities in Brussels, including discussions with European Parliament representatives on the protection of European know-how and the European market in the face of international competition.
Technology, industry and direct contact with companies
The technical sessions addressed developments in production technologies, industrial transformation and the need for companies to anticipate and adopt new technological solutions.
The meeting's technical programme was complemented by visits to industrial companies, providing participants with first-hand insight into different manufacturing environments, technological capabilities and production solutions.
The programme included visits to FrenTech Aerospace and Czech toolmaker Ryšavý, offering an opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the technologies, expertise and production approaches developed by the Czech tooling industry.
Participation in MSV Brno further complemented the programme, allowing participants to follow technological developments across the wider industrial landscape and identify trends with potential implications for the future of tooling.
Strengthening the voice of the European tooling industry
For ISTMA Europe, meetings such as the one in Brno are increasingly important at a time when the industry is facing multiple and interconnected challenges, from international competitiveness and technological transformation to access to markets, skills availability and the growing pressure from global competitors.
Beyond being an institutional meeting, the Brno event reinforced the value of a strong European tooling community capable of sharing information, identifying trends, developing joint initiatives and articulating a common perspective on the strategic importance of tooling for European industry.
Cooperation between national associations, combined with direct engagement with companies and other industrial stakeholders, will therefore remain a key priority for ISTMA Europe, contributing to a more competitive, innovative and resilient European tooling industry.
ISTMA Europe thanks SVAZ NÁSTROJÁREN for hosting and organising the meeting in Brno, as well as all participants and partners who contributed to three days of valuable discussion, knowledge sharing and cooperation around the future of Europe's tooling industry.
