In April, from April 21 to 25, the Shanghai New International Expo Centre was filled with energy and excitement. The 14th China CNC Machine Tool Fair (CCMT2026), themed "Digital, Connectivity, Intelligent Manufacturing," showcased the strength of Asia's manufacturing industry to the world.
With an exhibition area of over 202,000 square meters, 17 indoor halls, and one temporary hall, CCMT2026 gathered more than 2,000 leading companies from 27 countries and regions. Standing in this ocean of steel, technology, and innovation, surrounded by five axis machining centers, automation systems, and intelligent manufacturing solutions, I felt both proud and inspired.
For me, this exhibition was not only about displaying products, but also about building trust, sharing technology, and strengthening international friendships.
Meeting Our Belgian Customer Again at CCMT2026
On the second day of the exhibition, amid the sound of running machines and conversations in multiple languages, I immediately recognized an old friend from Belgium.
Since our hobbing machine had been delivered and running successfully in his factory for some time, this was his first visit to China after becoming our customer. Seeing his excitement and curiosity as he stepped onto Chinese soil for the first time made me equally enthusiastic.
We first returned to our booth and talked about the hobbing machine already operating in his factory. He gave us a thumbs-up, expressing satisfaction with the machine's stable performance and high production efficiency.
To show him our latest technology upgrades, I brought him to the G350 hobbing machine. A live simulation was running on site, demonstrating precise gear cutting performance. Watching the cutting tool create accurate tooth profiles in real time, the customer showed clear recognition and interest.
Afterward, we visited gear grinding machines, chamfering machines, machining centers, and robotic automation booths, allowing him to experience the strength of China's complete machine tool ecosystem.
Beyond Business: Building Long-Term Trust
After touring the exhibition, we found a quiet place for afternoon tea.
Our conversation gradually shifted from machine tool technology to Shanghai cuisine, and then to family life and daily experiences. This relaxed and genuine communication reminded me that we are not only selling machines-we are building human connections.
In the evening, I took him to visit Shanghai landmarks, including the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Bund. We listened to street musicians, tasted authentic Shanghai snacks, and enjoyed a drink together before I sent him back to the hotel.
Seeing our machine running well in his factory and receiving his strong trust was deeply rewarding. More importantly, we gained a valuable international friendship.
A New Opportunity from Belarus
If the Belgian customer represented trust and continuity, then our Belarusian visitor represented new opportunities.
On the fourth day of the exhibition, I met a focused customer from Belarus. During our discussion, I learned that his factory was still using outdated European machine tools from decades ago, and equipment upgrades had become urgent.
His visit to China was mainly to explore the market and identify cost-effective Chinese alternatives.
To address his concerns, I introduced our hobbing machine series in detail.
To eliminate doubts about machining accuracy, I directly brought him to a machine on display for a live test cutting demonstration. Once the machine started, the cutting process was completed smoothly, producing a bright and clean gear surface that immediately impressed him.
Next, I demonstrated our tool monitoring and networking system. The machine can monitor hob wear in real time and automatically stop when tool replacement is required, significantly reducing scrap rates and manual intervention.
When he asked about after-sales service, I confidently explained that we have local agents and a mature service team in Belarus, capable of providing responsive support similar to European local service.
At that moment, his concerns visibly eased, and his confidence in our brand increased significantly.
CCMT2026: More Than an Exhibition
CCMT2026 came to a successful close after five productive days.
During this exhibition, I witnessed not only the strength of advanced manufacturing equipment, but also the shared pursuit of excellent technology among people from different cultures.
From the laughter of our Belgian customer to the firm handshake of our new Belarusian prospect, these moments became some of the most meaningful experiences in my career.
Machine tools are the backbone of industry, and we are the bridge connecting this backbone to the global market.
I look forward to meeting more international customers again, accompanied by the sound of machines and the spirit of manufacturing innovation.
