China (Shanghai) International Sheet Metal Processing Exhibition

The 2025 China (Shanghai) International Sheet Metal Processing Exhibition (MetalFab China) was successfully held from June 17 to 20 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Hosted by the China Forging Association, this year’s event took place concurrently with six other themed exhibitions—including the Forging Show, Stamping Show, and Components Expo—making it Asia’s premier annual gathering for technical exchange and business matchmaking in the sheet metal processing industry.

Exhibition space and exhibitor numbers remained robust. With a total exhibition area of 26,000 square meters, the show brought together 284 exhibiting companies from 12 countries and regions, showcasing products spanning the entire value chain—from sheet metal fabrication equipment and laser cutting systems to stamping and bending machinery, welding and joining technologies, automation solutions, peripheral devices, and inspection and testing equipment. The event attracted 23,008 professional visitors from 51 countries and regions, including 1,211 international attendees and 135 specialized trade delegations totaling over 1,350 participants. An exhibit carry‑over rate exceeding 90% underscored the fair’s hallmark as a “high‑quality, hands‑on showcase.”

Murata Machinery’s demonstration of a flexible automated sheet metal processing line emerged as a key highlight of the show. Murata’s flexible automated line enables fully automated loading and unloading of sheet metal while occupying minimal floor space and allowing free product flow. It can seamlessly integrate downstream processes such as riveting, welding, and AGV handling according to customer requirements, significantly reducing initial capital investment. Its all‑electric servo‑driven press brake utilizes AC servo motors and ball screws to deliver high‑speed operation at 100 mm/s with stable repeat positioning accuracy, supporting “lights‑out” factory‑level automation. Meanwhile, Keda Forming Machinery showcased its KYM series die‑forging hydraulic presses, which have been extensively optimized to address challenges such as poor fluidity and mold sticking during aluminum alloy forging. These presses feature targeted designs in structural precision, rigidity, and fatigue resistance, achieving a technological level that is domestically leading and internationally advanced. Also on display was the KDK series metal‑chip briquetting hydraulic press, specifically engineered for compacting various metal scraps—including iron and aluminum—and widely applicable across metalworking, manufacturing, and waste‑recycling industries.

The exhibitor lineup exhibited clear trends toward concentration among industry leaders and specialization. Trumpf China unveiled four high‑end sheet metal processing machines, including the TruBend Center 7030—a fully automated plate‑bending machine representing an “Asian debut.” Hymson presented an expansive nearly 1,000‑square‑meter booth, showcasing comprehensive high‑speed laser processing solutions covering everything from efficient thin‑plate cutting to bevel‑groove machining on thick plates, as well as continuous coil production and precise tube processing—catering to core applications in automotive, new energy, and mechanical manufacturing sectors. During the show, its high‑speed laser tube cutter and HF series high‑speed machines were completely sold out. Other companies such as Bente Laser, AMADA, and Han’s Laser also showcased their latest offerings. Meanwhile, the international brand zone continued to expand, bringing together nearly 20 global sheet metal enterprises and providing a complete panorama of cutting‑edge equipment and technological solutions across the entire sheet metal processing value chain. Weihong Shares introduced its next‑generation nano‑level CNC system—the NK300CX Plus—boasting a 20% performance leap and suitable for versatile precision machining applications.

The quality of professional visitors continues to improve, with clear purchasing intentions. At the exhibition, 35% of professional visitors expressed definite purchase intent, with key demands spanning precision servo presses, sheet metal processing equipment, automation systems, welding equipment, deburring machines, and scanning measurement technologies. Additionally, 46.3% of professional buyers brought pre‑prepared procurement lists and had identified target suppliers; preliminary estimates indicate that on‑site deal closures accounted for approximately 20%. Among the 12 VIP buyers who utilized the pre‑matching service, 8 have already established nascent collaborative relationships, covering forming machinery, hydraulic technologies, and component manufacturing. A purchasing manager from an automotive manufacturer remarked: “This exhibition has introduced me to several highly promising suppliers, many of whose technological solutions can be directly integrated into our production lines—truly exceeding my expectations!”

A diverse array of concurrent events. During the exhibition, nine concurrent conferences—including the 2025 China Forging Conference, the China Stamping Conference, the China Sheet Metal & Fabrication Industry Plant Managers’ Conference, and the China Metal Forming Industry Buyers’ Conference—alongside six accompanying activities were held, totaling 85 industry presentations attended by over 3,000 participants. Events featured the “Golden Diamond Award” for outstanding metal forming equipment, the “Divine Craftsmanship Award” for premium metal forming components, as well as initiatives promoting technical collaboration and talent exchange, complemented by a platform showcasing industry–university–research achievements. Online livestreams attracted 42,230 viewers, leveraging platforms such as Weid Live and Video Accounts to transcend geographical boundaries, enabling global industry professionals to virtually attend the event.