IMTS 2026: America's Manufacturing Sector Focuses on Growth and Technology
The largest manufacturing trade show in the Western Hemisphere is bringing together 1,788 exhibitors this year, including about 400 companies participating for the first time.
By the end of the event, the organizers expect more than 90,000 visitors from all 50 U.S. states and 113 countries.
This strong turnout reflects current trends in U.S. industry. Companies are investing heavily in new production technologies and expanding their manufacturing capacity. In the first seven months of the year alone, orders for machine tools totaled more than $4 billion, significantly exceeding the previous year’s level. The industry is benefiting from the increasing regionalization of supply chains and political efforts to shift industrial value creation back to the U.S. to a greater extent.
Against this backdrop, IMTS showcases a broad spectrum of modern manufacturing technologies. Artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, metrology, and connected production systems are increasingly converging into integrated solutions for the smart factory. The goal is to boost companies’ productivity, flexibility, and competitiveness.
Visitors come from numerous industrial sectors, including aerospace, the automotive industry, semiconductor manufacturing, medical technology, energy supply, and defense. Both small contract manufacturers and global industrial conglomerates are represented.
The trade show has been held in Chicago for nearly 80 years and has evolved during that time into one of the most important gathering places for the international manufacturing industry. Through September 19, manufacturers, technology providers, and users will be discussing the future of production and the role of manufacturing in a changing global economy.
