China (Shanghai) International Metal Forming Exhibition

The 2025 China International Metal Forming Exhibition (MetalForm China) was successfully held from June 17 to 20 at the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center. Hosted by the China Forging Association and themed “Intelligent Forming, Green Innovation for the Future,” this event is the metal forming industry’s premier annual platform for technical exchange and business matchmaking. Concurrent with the exhibition, a series of parallel events were organized, including the China Forging Technology Forum, the China Stamping Technology Forum, and the China Sheet Metal Fabrication Technology Forum.

With an exhibition area spanning 50,000 square meters, the show brought together over 600 exhibiting companies, occupying multiple halls within the Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Center. The exhibitor lineup featured international leaders such as Schuler, Trumpf, Amada, Savanini, and Fagor, alongside domestic industry giants including Jinan Second Machine Tool, Hefeng Intelligent, Yangli Group, Jinfangyuan, and Yawei Co., Ltd. Overseas exhibitors and buyers from more than 30 countries and regions—including Germany, Japan, the United States, Italy, South Korea, India, and Switzerland—attended, and the four-day event welcomed over 35,000 professional visitors.

The New Energy Vehicle Forming Technology Zone emerged as the highlight of this year’s exhibition. This dedicated zone showcased cutting-edge lightweight forming technologies for new energy vehicles, including hot forming of ultra-high-strength steel, warm forming of aluminum alloys, magnesium alloy forming, and carbon fiber composite forming. Jinan Second Machine Tool presented its custom-designed large-scale high-speed stamping line for new energy vehicle manufacturers, capable of precisely forming aluminum alloy body panels. Hefeng Intelligent exhibited its “Ultra-High-Strength Steel Hot Forming Production Line,” which has already been adopted by several major new energy vehicle OEMs. According to exhibitors, as the penetration rate of new energy vehicles continues to rise, demand for lightweight forming technologies and high-efficiency stamping equipment is experiencing explosive growth.

The Laser and Precision Sheet Metal Zone also drew significant attention. Trumpf unveiled its latest-generation TruLaser 5000 series fiber laser cutting machine, equipped with intelligent cutting technology and automatic edge‑finding capabilities, delivering a 20% improvement in both precision and efficiency compared to the previous generation. Dazhong Laser showcased its 20 kW ultra‑high‑power fiber laser cutter, capable of cutting through 20 mm thick stainless steel plates in a single pass. Hongshi Laser displayed its laser tube‑cutting machine and laser welding robot, widely used in sheet metal fabrication, medical devices, and hardware manufacturing. Many companies noted that laser processing equipment is increasingly replacing traditional stamping and cutting methods, becoming the mainstream choice in the sheet metal industry.

The Servo Press and Automation Zone attracted considerable interest. Yangli Group introduced its “Large‑Scale Servo Press Production Line,” offering flexible programming of slide motion curves to meet the high‑precision forming requirements of complex parts. Jinfangyuan demonstrated its “Servo Press Automation Line,” integrated with robotic loading and unloading systems to enable unmanned continuous production. Yawei Co., Ltd. exhibited its CNC turret punch press and CNC bending machine, both equipped with intelligent control systems that significantly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of sheet metal processing.

The China Forging Technology Forum gathered top industry expertise. With the theme “High‑End and Intelligent Transformation of the Forging Industry,” the forum featured keynote speeches by the Chairman of the China Forging Association, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Chief Forging Engineer of FAW, and a technical expert from Schuler Germany. Discussions centered on topics such as “Breaking Barriers in Domestic Production of Large Forgings,” “Aluminum Alloy Forging Technologies for New Energy Vehicles,” and “Automation and Digital Factory Development in Forging.” Experts emphasized that China’s forging industry is at a critical juncture, transitioning from low- and mid‑range component supply toward high‑end manufacturing, with urgent demand for domestically produced large, precision forgings in aerospace, nuclear power, high‑speed rail, and other advanced sectors.

The Domestic Procurement Matching Session yielded substantial results. Held on the third day of the exhibition, the session brought together procurement and technical decision‑makers from high‑end users in aerospace, automotive OEMs, and rail transit, facilitating one‑on‑one engagements with exhibiting companies. Topics covered included large forgings, precision stamped parts, and welded sheet metal components. Preliminary statistics indicate that over 20 collaborative agreements for domestic substitution were reached during the event. The Chairman of the China Forging Association remarked, “MetalForm China is not only a platform for technological showcase but also a key driver in advancing the localization of critical forgings.”

Exhibitors and industry stakeholders responded enthusiastically. The Chairman of Jinan Second Machine Tool stated, “MetalForm China is our most important annual platform for launching new products and engaging with customers; this year, the quality of professional visitors and the atmosphere of technical exchange have reached unprecedented levels.” The President of Trumpf China observed, “China’s metal forming market is rapidly upgrading toward high‑end and intelligent solutions, and we have secured numerous letters of intent at this exhibition.” Exhibiting companies generally reported that the event attracted high‑quality professional buyers and fostered a vibrant environment for technical dialogue, with many securing significant orders from the automotive, aerospace, and home appliance industries during the show.

Attendees agreed that, as China’s manufacturing sector accelerates its transformation toward high‑end, intelligent, and green production, the metal forming industry—known as the “mother of industry”—plays a pivotal role, with its technological sophistication directly shaping the competitiveness of the entire manufacturing ecosystem. As China’s largest and most influential specialized exhibition for the metal forming sector, MetalForm China has become a strategic platform for companies to showcase cutting‑edge technologies, connect with customers, identify emerging trends, and advance domestic production.