The Logistics & Automation and Empack Special trade fairs set a new visitor record at the end of February in Dortmund. According to the organiser Easyfairs, a total of 3,660 qualified trade contacts came to the more than 90 exhibitors on 25 and 26 February, while the parallel trade fair association attracted more than 9,000 trade visitors.
The events were aimed at companies from the intralogistics, packaging and industrial maintenance sectors. They took place together with the Maintenance and Pumps & Valves trade fairs and occupied three halls of the Dortmund exhibition centre.
Thomas Birkhäuer from B&K Fördertechnik drew a positive conclusion: „Logistics & Automation 2026 was a complete success for us. We were able to generate numerous qualified contacts and have already received a large number of concrete enquiries. We were particularly impressed by the high level of expertise of the visitors and the quality of the discussions - our expectations were clearly exceeded.“
Holger Schmalz from Martor was also satisfied with the response: „We were pleasantly surprised by the strong response. The audience was extremely knowledgeable and well prepared - including numerous potential new customers who had not yet had any contact with Martor.“
Platform for intralogistics and packaging
According to the organisers, the trade fair once again confirmed its role as a regional meeting place for the intralogistics and packaging industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. Exhibitors used the format primarily for dialogue with potential customers and to initiate specific projects.
Christian Peters from Papierverarbeitung Peters explained: „We were able to present our industrial labels, banderoles and packaging cups in a practical way and show what is technically and qualitatively possible today in direct dialogue with trade visitors. We made numerous new contacts and initiated specific projects - the trade fair was a complete success for us.“
According to the organisers, visitors also praised the compact structure of the event. Daniel Strauß from Strenge GmbH & Co. KG said: „Logistics & Automation Dortmund with the Empack Special feels like a regional industry get-together. Clearly structured, professionally organised and with a noticeably high quality of discussion.“
AI and regulation in the focus of the framework programme
A central item on the programme was a panel discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in packaging and intralogistics. Representatives from research and industry discussed applications, regulatory frameworks and the practical challenges of implementation.
Other presentations dealt with topics such as IT security, sustainability requirements for logistics companies and the impact of the new EU packaging regulation PPWR on the industry.
The organisers are already planning the next editions of the trade fair: Logistics & Automation and Empack are to take place in Hamburg on 2 and 3 June 2026. The next event in Dortmund has been announced for 24 and 25 February 2027.
Source: Easyfairs
