Chicago, April 6, 2026 — The upcoming International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2026) will provide manufacturers with a showcase of the latest foundational technologies designed to boost productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness across industries. Scheduled for September 14–19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, the event will feature more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibition space and over 1,800 exhibitors.
IMTS is recognized as the largest manufacturing technology show in the Western Hemisphere, attracting machine shops, manufacturers, and industry professionals seeking solutions to improve production capabilities. The U.S. manufacturing sector, valued at $2.95 trillion, along with global participants, represents more than $10.5 trillion in combined investments, highlighting the scale and influence of the event.
“The exhibitors at IMTS can help manufacturers extend beyond current capabilities and take advantage of emerging technology opportunities,” said Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which organizes IMTS. “With productivity gains, capital investment, and technological advancements, the momentum in manufacturing continues to grow.”
Focus on Advanced Machine Tools
IMTS 2026 will highlight advancements in multitasking, multifunction, hybrid, and 5-axis machining centers. Leading manufacturers including Okuma America, Index Corp., Tsugami America, Mazak, Matsuura Machinery, Haas Automation, JTEKT, Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, and DN Solutions will showcase equipment designed to streamline complex operations, increase accuracy, and reduce setup times.
Travis Egan, chief revenue officer of AMT, emphasized the role of digital solutions and automation: “IMTS also showcases how AI, software, and automation advance machine tool capabilities, allowing manufacturers to remain competitive in dynamic markets.”
Industry Adoption and Success Stories
Machine shops attending IMTS often leverage new technologies immediately. Marathon Precision, a 60,000-square-foot facility in Wheeling, Illinois, highlighted the advantages of investing in advanced CNC systems. Owner Michael Bauer noted, “IMTS is the largest, most advanced machine shop for the week of the show. Acquiring technology early and mastering it provides a significant competitive advantage.”
Similarly, Jim Belosic, founder and CEO of SendCutSend, a custom sheet metal and CNC machining company, emphasized that high-quality equipment improves production reliability. “Investing in advanced CNC and fabrication tools allows us to produce better parts faster, with fewer defects and lower costs,” he said.
Driving Efficiency and Productivity
The show will feature solutions aimed at increasing multitasking efficiency, including pallet pools, bar feeders, and automated part handling. These systems enable high-mix, low-volume operations to run longer unattended cycles while maintaining accuracy. Tim Thiessen, vice president of sales at Okuma, highlighted the efficiency gains: “The most efficient shops integrate multiple processes in one system, reducing secondary operations while improving consistency.”
New machines being introduced include Okuma’s Multus U1000 and U2000 multitasking machines, Index’s G160 multitasking machine, and Mazak’s Integrex i-350S Neo, which integrates turning, milling, and grinding in a single setup. These systems are designed to address increasing product complexity and tight lead times across industries such as aerospace, medical devices, energy, and advanced infrastructure.
Supporting Technologies
Advancements in supporting technologies, such as bar feeders and pallet management, further enhance machining efficiency. Rick Bauer, executive vice president of Edge Technologies, noted that innovations like auto-adjusting bar feeders improve low-volume and short-batch production, increasing machine uptime and precision.
Other attendees, such as Multi-axis Technologies in Kent, Washington, have leveraged IMTS purchases to reduce cycle times and setup times through dual-turret multitasking CNC machines. Marathon Precision’s lead production engineer Michael Foy added that pallet systems enable high-mix operations to maintain setups for recurring jobs, unlocking hidden value and improving throughput.
IMTS 2026 is expected to provide a comprehensive view of how foundational manufacturing technologies, digital integration, and automation solutions are reshaping production workflows. The event will serve as a hub for manufacturers to explore cutting-edge equipment, discover productivity-enhancing solutions, and build strategies for future growth.
#SupplyChainNews #ManufacturingTechnology #IndustrialInnovation #CNCmachining #FactoryAutomation
