The autumn meeting of ISTMA Europe—an organization representing European manufacturers of advanced tools and molds—took place from October 5 to 7, 2026. The event was held under the patronage of, and attended in person by, the Minister of Industry and Trade, the Mayor of Brno, the CEO of the MSV Brno trade fair, and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and CzechTrade, among others. Delegates from all European member states of the organization, as well as the United Kingdom, participated in the proceedings. The meeting addressed pressing global issues—such as the transformation of the automotive industry, a unified defense against Asian competition, and the development of promising new manufacturing technologies—as well as the state of the Czech energy sector and energy prices, which threaten the very survival of many industries. Key alternative avenues for development include defense, aerospace, and medical applications. While investments in these sectors yield significantly higher profits than the automotive division, they offer a slower return on investment and entail extensive certification and approval processes. Detailed information regarding current business support in this sector was provided by the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce (Dr. M. Sedláček) and a representative from CzechTrade (Ing. M. Urbánková). The technical session opened with an analysis of the current European automotive industry, covering trends, structure, economics, and Asian production (Dr. T. Eberius, WBA Werkzeuge Akademie). Attention was also focused on modern manufacturing technologies that impart new functional properties to molds and products—such as hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and antibacterial surfaces (Dr. Jan Brajer, HiLASE), which ultimately save energy and pharmaceutical resources—as well as modern PVD coatings that significantly extend the service life of tools and enhance production quality and reliability (Dr. Ch. Schiffers, CemeCon). The proceedings included visits to two prestigious manufacturing companies that serve as exemplary models for other European firms: Frentech Aerospace, s.r.o. in Brno and the toolmaking company Ryšavý, s.r.o. in Hustopeče. According to Ing. Závodník, the scope and quality of production—including in-house testing under conditions such as cryogenic temperatures, along with the development of proprietary manufacturing technologies and know-how—enable these companies to operate successfully within a competitive landscape and against strong international rivals. Ryšavý represents a typical toolmaking company of the SME type—enterprises that generate up to 80% of GDP in some countries. These examples confirm that success relies on the creative work of people, drawing heavily on the expertise and experience of a qualified team of specialists; there is simply no place here for low-value, routine labor. The event included a Grand Gala evening, which featured the results of traditional competitions as well as awards recognizing prominent Czech industrial managers across a range of categories. This part of the ceremony was particularly well-received by attendees, as the foundation of any company’s success lies not only in creative individuals but also in managers capable of motivating their staff and truly inspiring them in their work. The visit to the trade fair was a truly impressive experience for all participants; many had not expected such a high level of exhibitor and visitor turnout. Numerous exhibits showcased world premieres that captivated everyone present. It is safe to say that the high caliber of the 67th MSV has fully restored the luster of its original mission—surpassing, in terms of information value, the local presentations of individual companies, a factor of immense importance in today’s landscape.
The media partner was the journal MM Průmyslové spektrum.