AMB Award 2026 Shortlists 17 Innovations Across 6 Categories

Stuttgart, Germany – AMB, the international exhibition for metalworking, presents the AMB Award for the second time, thus recognizing excellent product innovations in metal cutting. Also in 2026 around 50 companies once again submitted their current innovations in seven categories and presented them to an independent expert jury – from precision tools and automation solutions through to software and measurement technology. The wide range of submissions reflects the innovative spirit of an industry that thinks in all directions: new machining processes, more efficient processes, and more sustainable solutions.

Seven Categories, Each with One Goal: the Best Innovation

The submissions included innovations in the categories machine tools and production systems, precision tools, measuring systems and quality assurance, software and digitalization, automation and materials handling systems, parts, components, operating materials, as well as services and warehousing and workshop fittings. From the submissions 17 companies have now been nominated in six categories for the AMB Award 2026. The list of nominees can be found at the end of this press release.

Submissions Reflect Challenges in the Industry

A clear picture of the industry is emerging from the 17 nominees. Around half of the submissions received address digitalization or automation – from AI-assisted production planning and automated CAM programming through to the real-time networking of machines and systems. System integration plays a key role in more than a quarter of the products: Process steps that were performed separately up to now are merged into a single product. Resource efficiency is also a common design principle in the submissions, e.g., by extending tool life, recycling cooling lubricants, or reducing material waste.

Independent Jury Evaluates Submissions According to Clear Standards

The nominated companies are evaluated by an independent expert jury, comprising representatives from the three promotional supporters as well as academia: Markus Heseding (VDMA Precision Tools Association), Dr Alexander Broos (VDW - German Machine Tool Builders’ Association), Thomas Riegler (VDMA Software and Digitalisation Association), Willi Wünschel (PTW - Institute for Production Management, Technology and Machine Tools at TU Darmstadt) and Prof Dr-Ing Hans-Christian Möhring (IfW - Institute for Machine Tools at the University of Stuttgart). The jury evaluates the submissions according to criteria which take into account the technological innovation as well as efficiency, sustainability, and user-friendliness, but also aesthetics and design.

“The large number of submissions for the AMB Award and the variety of award winners clearly show how dynamic and innovative our industry is. As a member of the jury, I was particularly pleased to see how solutions are developed also at detailed levels of applications, which are initially not considered. This makes it extremely exciting because they make their very own, important contribution to increasing competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability,” sums up Dr Broos, Head of Research and Technology, VDW.

‘Area of AMB Award Nominees’ and Award Ceremony on the AMB STAGE

The 17 nominated companies are represented with a poster exhibition for the entire duration of the trade fair at the ‘Area of AMB Award Nominees’ in the Entrance East (Stand EO120). The exhibition offers all professional visitors the opportunity to see the submitted innovations at a glance. For the nominated companies, it is an exclusive stage away from their own trade fair stand.

The award ceremonies for the following six categories will take place on the first two days of the trade fair on the AMB Stage in the Atrium:

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026: software and digitalization; automation and materials handling systems; parts, components, and operating materials
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026: machine tools and production systems; precision tools; measuring systems and quality assurance

Innovation, Young Talent and Creativity: The Accompanying Program of AMB

The AMB Award is embedded in an accompanying program that specifically examines different perspectives of innovation. The Start-up Area at the Entrance East provides a compact overview of new approaches of young companies. Young talent can experience technology on site in the special show Education organized by Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau – CNC, automation and digital production processes can be tested live. And a creative format returns with the ‘Art meets technology’, which in 2026 is guided by the new claim ‘Where metal comes alive’.

Nominated for the AMB Award 2026

The following 17 companies were selected by the jury and nominated for the AMB Award 2026:

• Machine tools and production systems: BMF GmbH - Bernstein Mechanische Fertigung, INDEX-Werke GmbH & Co KG, YCM Technology (Europe) GmbH
• Precision tools: CERATIZIT SA, Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrik Paul Horn GmbH, ZECHA Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation GmbH
• Measuring systems and quality assurance: Helmut Diebold GmbH & Co Goldring-Werkzeugfabrik, Renishaw GmbH
• Software and digitalization: autonomIQ technologies GmbH, GMN Paul Müller Industrie, Spanflug Technologies GmbH
• Automation and materials handling systems: MartinSystems GmbH, RoboJob NV, Zell Systemtechnik GmbH
• Parts, components, and operating materials: 3nine AB, HIWIN GmbH, Parfaite Tool Co, Ltd.

Image Source: Messe Stuttgart