Despite global fluctuations in 2025, the Turkish machinery industry, which broke a record in value-based exports, is entering 2026 with a cautious but strong expectation of recovery. The Machinery Manufacturers Association (MİB) is preparing to showcase this transformation process and the sector’s new-term targets within the scope of WIN EURASIA 2026. The trade fair, to be organized by Hannover Fairs Turkey at the Istanbul Expo Center between June 10–13, 2026, will be one of the most concrete indicators of the new roadmap of the machinery industry, spanning from production to exports. At the trade fair, which serves as a hub for industrial transformation, machine manufacturing, automation, digital production technologies, and integrated system solutions will be addressed together, while the sector’s transition toward higher value-added production will also be presented in a multidimensional manner.
While the Turkish machinery industry broke a record in value-based exports in 2025, it is focusing on sustainable growth again in 2026. The sector’s transformation vision and targets will be presented in all dimensions at WIN EURASIA 2026. Technological transformation that enhances competitiveness, efficiency-oriented production, and sustainable growth strategies will form the main agenda of the trade fair to be held at the Istanbul Expo Center on June 10–13, 2026, organized by Hannover Fairs Turkey. MİB Chairman Osman Fatih İğrek evaluated 2025 as a complex but ultimately positive period in which the balance of “high inflation–low exchange rate–weak external demand–strong export pricing” was experienced simultaneously. İğrek stated that machinery exports, including free zones, increased by 1.9% to reach 28.7 billion dollars, and emphasized that despite a 6.3% contraction in tonnage, the export price per kilogram reached a historic peak of 8.1 dollars. Sharing expectations for 2026, İğrek expressed cautious optimism, stating that they aim to approach the 30 billion dollar export threshold, return to a growth path in production, and raise capacity utilization rates to around 70%. He also emphasized that they are natural stakeholders of WIN EURASIA and consider participation in the trade fair a strategic investment.
Demand is weak in Europe, Türkiye stands out positively
Despite the contraction in Europe, their main market, İğrek noted that Türkiye has positively differentiated itself in exports: “Demand in our main market, Europe, was weak. In Germany, machinery and plant manufacturing closed 2025 with approximately a 5% production contraction; across Europe, machinery orders declined in double digits in 2023–2024. Despite this, we achieved strong increases in some markets. Our machinery exports to Germany increased by 6.8% to 3.2 billion dollars, while exports to the U.S. rose by 9% to nearly 2 billion dollars. While there were losses in some markets, new opportunities also emerged. We
experienced a revenue loss of approximately 770 million dollars in markets such as Russia and Iraq, while in markets with reconstruction agendas such as Syria, our exports increased by 189% to around 130 million dollars.”
The domestic market is growing, but production is shifting abroad
Emphasizing that import pressure is one of the most critical issues facing the sector, İğrek said, “Machinery imports exceeded the 45 billion dollar threshold by the end of 2025; China’s share rose to nearly 28 dollars out of every 100 dollars.” Noting that growth in the domestic market is not reflected in local production, İğrek made a striking observation: “While machinery and equipment investments grew by over 6% in the first three quarters, a contraction of 5–6% in machinery production shows that a significant portion of investments is being met by imported machinery. The domestic market is growing, but production capacity is strengthening abroad, not domestically.” İğrek stated that they propose a three-pillar policy framework to strengthen the machinery industry: “We advocate establishing an ‘import early warning and intervention mechanism’ that can act more quickly against heavily subsidized and potentially dumped sales from countries like China. Compliance inspections with technical regulations must be strengthened not only at customs but also within the domestic market. The purchase of locally produced machinery should be supported through tools such as more advantageous financing, tax incentives, and accelerated depreciation. If these steps are taken, we believe the pressure of import dependency and unfair competition on the machinery manufacturing industry will be significantly reduced.”
A new paradigm in machinery: automation and software
İğrek stated that Turkish machinery manufacturers are focusing on automation in two areas: “We have focused on the automation level of the machines we produce and the automation of production processes in our factories. We observe a 17% increase in turbines, turbojets, and hydraulic systems, and a 14% increase in food machinery. All of these are machines with high levels of automation. Additionally, transformation is taking place in production facilities. Applications such as MES-based production management, robotic cells, and the use of AGV/AMR systems are becoming widespread.” Referring to the prominence of the automation theme at WIN EURASIA 2026, İğrek said, “Today, it is no longer possible to think of machinery independently of automation and software. Customers make investment decisions not just for a machine, but for its automation capability and data infrastructure.”
We are a natural stakeholder of WIN EURASIA
Describing WIN EURASIA as the regional showcase of Türkiye’s machinery industry, İğrek concluded his remarks as follows: “Despite economic fluctuations, our sector sees participation in trade fairs as a strategic investment. We have long been a natural stakeholder of WIN EURASIA; a significant portion of our members are regular exhibitors. In the 2026 edition, we expect strong participation showcasing the product and technology diversity of domestic machinery manufacturers, especially their capabilities in automation and digitalization. Machine tools, machining centers, robotic cells, multi-axis machining systems,
automatic palletizing, and flexible production cells required by the defense, automotive, and mold industries will be exhibited together with locally developed software and control systems. At the trade fair, the number of companies offering not only products but also services and platforms will increase. At WIN EURASIA 2026, we aim to make the high-automation, energy-efficient, service- and software-supported solutions of Turkish machinery manufacturers more visible.”
The new language of industry is being written at WIN EURASIA
Sena Mengül, Hannover Fairs Turkey Head of WIN EURASIA, emphasized that the motto of WIN EURASIA 2026 is “Driven by Automation,” stating that automation has now become the fundamental force shaping not only production processes but the transformation of the entire industrial ecosystem. Mengül said, “As WIN EURASIA, we are creating a hub that shapes the sector by bringing together the production capacity, technological transformation, and export strength of the machinery industry on a single platform. In 2026, during this critical period when the sector is regaining momentum, we offer a strong ecosystem where companies can strengthen their positions in global competition, develop new collaborations, and expand into different markets.” Highlighting the increasing strategic role of the trade fair each year, Mengül noted that the experience zones designed this year directly engage with the future of the sector: “With the Welding Application Area, Industrial Artificial Intelligence Area, Power Transmission Area, Industrial IoT Special Area, and the 5G Arena, we are not only showcasing technologies but also making the future of industry tangible and experienceable on-site. We believe that WIN EURASIA 2026 will play a decisive role in enabling the Turkish machinery industry to achieve a stronger, more competitive, and more sustainable position on a global scale.”