As we kick off the new year, it is hard not to be already thinking ahead on what may be in store for the world of fluid power and the many ways we can cover it in 2025. With many projecting better economic conditions for the broader global economy as well as the various customer markets served by hydraulics and pneumatics, there is a sense of optimism in the industry that better days are ahead after a more challenging 2024.
One of the things I'll be looking forward to in 2025 is the number of industry events taking place this year, including large international shows such as bauma and Agritechnica — two of the biggest shows for the construction equipment and agricultural machinery markets, respectively. Events like these provide a look at the technological advancements occuring in the fluid power sector and its customer markets as well as the trends shaping these developments.
There are great industry events to attend every year, but in 2025 there will be more events, and larger ones, relevant to the hydraulics and pneumatics sector. This combined with the improved outlook many have for the industry should make for an interesting year filled with new technology developments as companies often introduce new products at industry events.
Following are some of the events I look forward to attending and/or monitoring this year for the fluid power, as well as electromechanical, technologies displayed and the trends highlighted which are influencing future developments.
Work Truck Week
Work Truck Week is an annual event focused on the work truck industry which is a large user of hydraulic and pneumatic technologies. It is also a sector moving toward greater use of electric and other alternative energy sources as the size of these vehicles and their use cases lend better to diesel alternatives than some larger truck applications. Work Truck Week encompasses the 1-day Green Truck Summit featuring presentations on alternative fuel and power systems and the Work Truck Show comprised of exhibits and educational sessions.
Taking place March 4-7, this event should once again provide good insight into the technological developments taking place in an important customer segment of the fluid power industry.
bauma
Held once every 3 years, bauma remains one of the largest events for the international construction and mining equipment industries. As construction machinery is the biggest customer segment for the fluid power industry, this event is an important one for the global hydraulics and pneumatics market as well.
bauma 2025 will feature 3,227 exhibitors from 60 countries over 200,000 sq. m of indoor exhibition space and 414,000 sq. m of outdoor space — offering plenty of heavy machinery and components to see over the course of the 7-day event.
Read news from the last bauma below, held in 2022 due to COVID-19 altering its usual cadence.
Automate
Each year, Automate has increased in size to showcase the latest technological developments taking place within the industrial automation space, including robotics. As labor challenges continue to persist in manufacturing and other industrial sectors, companies are adopting automation to remain productive and improve the working environment for personnel.
Pneumatic and electromechanical technologies in particular are utilized within many automation systems, making this annual event one to watch for the fluid power industry. The 2025 event will take place May 12-15 in Detroit, MI.
NFPA Industry & Economic Outlook Conference
The National Fluid Power Association's (NFPA) Industry & Economic Outlook Conference (IEOC) is a can't miss event for many in the hydraulics and pneumatics sector. This annual event is filled with presentations from economists offering market projections for the fluid power industry and its various customer segments to aid business planning in the coming year.
The 2025 event takes place August 11-13 and will also include networking events as well as updates from the association on projects it has undertaken throughout the year.
iVT Expo
For those in the fluid power industry serving the heavy-duty off-road mobile equipment market, the U.S. edition of iVT Expo has become an increasingly important event to attend. This annual event is focused on engineers developing mobile machinery, and features a growing exhibition as well as educational sessions.
The 2025 is scheduled to take place August 20 and 21 in Rosemont, IL. In 2024, the NFPA formed a partnership with the event to bring fluid power focused educational sessions and exhibitors; this partnership is expected to continue for the 2025 event.
The Battery Show
Since their debut 15 years ago, The Battery Show and co-located Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo (EVT Expo) have grown in size just like the electric vehicle market these events focus on. Electric vehicle technology and the production of it are highlighted at these annual events, both of which make use of fluid power and electromechanical technologies.
A combination of exhibits and presentations offer insight into the current state of electric vehicle development for vehicles of all types, from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks to off-road machinery. As electrification is influencing future hydraulic and pneumatic designs, as well as the increasing use of electromechanical options, this is a show those in the fluid power industry should monitor for insights into this ever-evolving space.
Agritechnica
Agricultural equipment and its many systems will be on display at Agritechnica 2025, the largest event for the international agricultural industry. A number of new technologies and trends will be highlighted at this year's event, including those from the hydraulics and pneumatics sector as agricultural equipment is considered to be the second largest customer market for the fluid power industry.
With automation, digitalization and other megatrends influencing the design of agricultural machinery, Agritechnica 2025 will likely feature numerous new technology introductions aimed at helping farmers remain productive and efficient.
Other events I'll also be keeping my eye on in 2025 include:
- Hannover Messe
- Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)
- Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo
- Pack Expo Las Vegas
- Motion + Power Technology Expo
- Utility Expo
We want to hear from you!
What events are you looking forward to attending this year? Are there other industry events we should be keeping an eye on in 2025? What new technologies and trends do you see impacting the fluid power sector in 2025? Take our brief quiz below to let us know!
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X (formerly Twitter): @TechnlgyEditor and @PowerMotionTech
LinkedIn: @SaraJensen and @Power&Motion
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