Moderate growth in 2026, a recovery in order intake since the second quarter and new initiatives aimed at expanding its international presence and technological portfolio. These were among the main topics addressed by Arburg during its international press conference on 12 October, held on the occasion of Fakuma 2026 in Friedrichshafen.
According to Tobias Baur, Managing Director Sales and After Sales, the company’s turnover is expected to exceed the €576 million recorded in 2025. The increase in orders has also resulted in production capacity utilisation above initial forecasts.
Market developments vary across regions and industrial sectors. The Americas and Asia offer particularly favourable growth prospects, with China performing better than expected. In Europe, industrial investment remains generally subdued, although improvements are emerging in several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe. In terms of applications, the electronics and electrical engineering sectors are benefiting from demand linked to artificial intelligence, data centres and electromobility. Medical technology is also recording growth, while packaging is becoming an increasingly important strategic area for the group.
Stork IMM acquisition and international development
One of the main developments presented during the conference was the acquisition of Stork IMM, which officially joined the Arburg Group on 1 October 2026. The transaction expands Arburg’s portfolio with high-performance injection moulding machines, particularly suited to thin-walled packaging applications, with clamping forces ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 kN.
Combining the expertise of the two companies enables Arburg to extend its offering in the large-machine segment and develop additional opportunities in packaging. Stork IMM, meanwhile, will gain access to the group’s international sales and service network.
As CEO Volker Nilles explained, the acquisition forms part of a broader development strategy aimed at consolidating Arburg’s international presence and strengthening its ability to provide complete manufacturing systems.
The company currently operates 37 of its own sites in 27 countries and is active in more than 100 markets through its distribution partners. A further step in its international expansion will take place in China, where the new Pinghu assembly plant will be officially inaugurated in November. The facility has been assembling Allrounder Trend machines for the Asian market since July and will also develop customised turnkey solutions in cooperation with regional partners.
The “Smartest Factory”: automation and digitalisation
The evolution of Arburg’s technological offering is also central to its participation in Fakuma 2026, where the company is presenting its “Smartest Factory” concept. The approach brings together injection moulding machines, automation, software and digital services within increasingly integrated and connected manufacturing systems.
One of the main innovations concerns Arburg’s robotic systems, which are now also available as standalone solutions, operating independently of injection moulding machines. The new rControl mobile operating panel, equipped with the Gestica control system, enables these applications to be managed flexibly and integrated into existing production facilities.
In the field of digitalisation, Arburg is introducing additional functions for its ALS manufacturing execution system, a new company-hosted cloud MES solution and AI-supported analysis tools designed to process manufacturing data and identify opportunities for optimisation. Another development is aXw Control FirstShotAssist, which uses component geometry data to support machine set-up and shorten the time required to produce the first good part.
These developments are intended to improve overall production efficiency by increasing machine availability, process stability and resource utilisation.
Technologies showcased in Friedrichshafen
The applications presented at Fakuma include two electric machines from the Allrounder Trend series: an Allrounder 1000 e Trend with a clamping force of 1,000 kN, producing automotive components, and an Allrounder 1800 e Trend with a clamping force of 1,800 kN, manufacturing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) closures for medical applications.
Medical technology is also the focus of the “NextGen Medical Solution” project, a fully connected manufacturing cell integrating Plus10’s Hopper AI solution directly into the Gestica control system to support process analysis and optimisation.
The exhibition programme also includes two-component injection moulding, automated insert overmoulding and micro-injection moulding applications, including the production of microfilters weighing just 0.002 grams each.
In packaging, Stork IMM is showcasing a 5500 All Electric injection moulding machine producing four-litre containers using in-mould labelling (IML) technology, with cycle times of less than five seconds.
The technologies on display reflect the strategic direction outlined during the conference: progressively expanding Arburg’s role from an injection moulding machine manufacturer to a provider of integrated production systems, combining automation, digitalisation and technical services to improve efficiency, quality and competitiveness. This approach will remain a priority for the group in 2027, supported by growing international demand for more automated and efficient manufacturing technologies.