34.BI-MU, the international biennial event dedicated to the machine tool, robotics, automation, digital and additive manufacturing, and subcontracting industries, concluded with outstanding results. Organized by Efim-Ente Fiere Italiane Macchine and promoted by Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre—the association of Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robotics, automation, and auxiliary technologies—the 34th edition of BI-MU brought together over 750 companies, an 8.5 percent increase compared to the 2022 edition, across a total area of 65,000 square meters.
“Despite the rather complicated economic climate, the event managed to maintain its position as a reference point for the machine tool, robotics, automation, digital, and additive manufacturing industries, with an increase in the number of exhibitors (both direct and indirect), even with a slight reduction in exhibition space”, commented Alfredo Mariotti, Director General of Ucimu. “The presence of thematic areas like the well-established RobotHeart, piùAdditive, and Bi-Mu Digital enhanced the thematic and exhibition offerings presented at our event”.
37 percent of the companies present were from abroad, representing countries such as Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland, USA, Spain, France, China, South Korea, Austria, UK, Turkey, Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, Netherlands, San Marino, Ireland, Hong Kong, and Belgium.
Approximately 35,000 professional operators attended the four-day exhibition, with 5 percent of them coming from 62 different countries. The most represented nationalities were Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Slovenia for Europe; USA and Brazil for the Americas; and China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Turkey for Asia.
Among the international visitors were 80 operators, mostly end-users, along with some journalists, from 16 countries — Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Egypt, France, India, Morocco, Mexico, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, USA, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam — invited as part of a mission organized by Ucimu-Sistemi per Produrre in collaboration with Ice-Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
4,000 students participated in BI-MU through free and guided visits, led by 55 young tutors who are students from ITS programs. For the first time, in addition to high school students, the event also welcomed middle school students, a crucial time for deciding on educational paths after compulsory schooling. All students were hosted in the Robotgames area, where activities of the special Education & Job project took place, aimed at fostering dialogue between schools and the industry, and attracting young talent. The matching between job demand and supply was organized by Randstad, which also provided career orientation sessions and gamified light self-assessment activities. The main attraction of the area was the new robotics and automation contest, Robotgames, for high school students, promoted by Ucimu Academy through Fondazione Ucimu, and organized by Efim with support from Fondazione Fiera Milano. The contest’s final (held on Friday, October 11) featured a competition among eight teams from eight different schools across Italy.
