Circularity, innovation and collaboration - trends at Elmia Subcontractor 2024

High quality of the conversations and several new contacts made - this is how Elmia Subcontractor is summed up by exhibitors and visitors. The fair confirms its place as a central platform for the industry to meet, exchange ideas and find joint solutions. Despite a somewhat uncertain environment with a weak economy, the days at Elmia Subcontractor were permeated by a positive spirit, where the companies show faith in the future and a willingness to invest.

- During this year's fair, the importance of the physical meeting has again been highlighted, it shows how crucial it is for the innovation work to bring together the industry's companies and actors. Subcontractors play a key role in driving development forward both in terms of sustainability and product development. That particular collaboration has been a strong focus during the fair, says Annika Cederfeldt, exhibition manager Elmia Subcontractor.

The temperature of the manufacturing industry

The industry's challenges became clear during the first day of the fair, when Sinf's Subsupplier barometer and FKG's roadmap were released, both of which show the temperature within the manufacturing industry. The results reflect some pessimism, with reports of falling profitability and expectations of declining order intake. At the same time, a brighter side is also emerging, with companies investing and having a strong belief in future growth.

- In the situation Sweden is in, there is much to be gained by creating greater security and more local production. It would also give the country greater stability and benefit the environment, says Sanna Arnfjorden Wadström, CEO of Sinf.

Trends at the fair

The major trends seen among both exhibitors and visitors are the need for, and interest in, circularity and collaboration. At the fair this is met, among other things, via the Sustainability Arena which had both lectures from the stage and well-attended Sustainability walks to exhibiting companies that can inspire with their sustainability work. 

To strengthen competence around innovation and circularity, this year the fair had a deepened collaboration with the research world and academia, represented at the fair by RISE, Lund University, Linköping University, Norrköping Science Park and Jönköping Institute of Technology, JTH. The aim is to better integrate circularity and innovation in the fair's activities and create a platform for knowledge exchange and development.

One of the exhibiting companies that has come a long way in circularity is SSAB, which with a proud history and a clear vision for the future has taken the lead in sustainable steel production. Matts Nilsson, Head of Sales Sweden & Norway at SSAB says:

- Circularity is a big issue that we at SSAB work actively with by focusing on recycling, efficient use of resources and development of products that can contribute to a circular economy. Our goal is to become fossil-free by 2030, and to be able to produce steel with minimal environmental impact. We see the path to a more sustainable and circular steel system as going through innovation, collaborations and technological development. Therefore, we see meeting places like Elmia Subcontractor as important steps on that journey, where we can meet others with the same vision.

The subcontractor's need for cooperation

The focus on collaboration was felt both in conversations in the exhibitors' booths, as well as from the stages. One of the fair's two keynote speakers, Kristofer Ternstedt, CPO and Head of Group Procurement, Saab, highlighted in his talk the importance of jointly finding new ways forward in the industry.

- In a time characterized by growing conflicts, increased demands for sustainability and a changing geopolitical reality, strong and innovative partnerships are essential. Saab is on a growth journey and we see a great need for increased and deepened collaborations with our partners and suppliers. Therefore, we actively work together with our business partners to build robust and sustainable supply chains that meet tomorrow's security needs and strengthen our joint ability to create a safer world. In that work, we see Elmia Subcontractor as an important platform for collaboration within the industry.

What does the fair mean for the future of the manufacturing industry?

Over the past five decades, Elmia Subcontractor has been a catalyst for innovation and collaboration within the manufacturing industry. By bringing together leading players, from small subcontractors to global industrial giants, the fair has become a platform where ideas and technologies can be exchanged and developed.

- We are keen that the right people find each other on the exhibition floor, regardless of interest in the industry. Therefore, the fair has a large breadth and we are happy that both business and academia show a great commitment to participate, to meet the needs of both visitors and exhibitors, says fair manager Annika Cederfeldt. Despite fluctuations in the economy, the fair shows the great need to meet each other, and we look forward to celebrating the fair's 50th anniversary next year on November 11-13, 2025. Our hope is that Elmia Subcontractor will continue to be an indispensable part of manufacturing industry ecosystem, with a strong focus on innovation, collaboration and skills development – ​​ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Elmia Subcontractor 2024 in numbers:

Number of exhibitors: 947
Of which number of international exhibitors: 311
Number of visits: 10,561
Number of exhibiting countries: 28