Made in EU: MicroStep Showcased Its Full Potential at IEF 2024 in Brno

Over 500 MicroStep cutting machines delivered in the Czech Republic and Slovakia speak volumes.

Last week, MicroStep made a strong impression on its (almost) home turf at the International Engineering Fair (MSV) 2024 in Brno, one of the most anticipated events of the autumn trade show season. This exhibition, now in its 65th year, is the largest of its kind in the region, showcasing a wide array of technologies, from telecommunications to 3D printing. The event clearly demonstrated that the industry is not stagnating – quite the opposite – there is rapid development across all sectors. It also highlighted the challenges faced by local manufacturers, as they compete with the relentless rise of Asian suppliers, particularly from China. Chinese companies were highly visible in many pavilions, with their high-power fiber lasers dominating the CNC cutting space. Yet, despite this tough competition, MicroStep stood tall, drawing significant attention with its diverse range of solutions and decades of experience in the cutting business.

1,300+ Exhibitors and a Presidential Visit

MicroStep recently celebrated 25 years of plasma bevel cutting – a milestone that remains distant for many other manufacturers. In addition to plasma beveling (MicroStep delivered its first bevel cutting machines to crane specialists Palfinger in 1999), the company introduced waterjet bevel cutting in 2001, followed by oxyfuel and fiber laser beveling. Today, with over 1,200 bevel cutting applications installed in more than 50 countries, MicroStep is a global leader in efficient weld preparation through bevel cutting. We are also recognized as experts in consulting for innovative manufacturing processes and are a benchmark for efficiency among high-volume manufacturers. While the domestic market is saturated with mass-produced laser machines from East Asia, where manufacturers compete primarily on price, MicroStep remains one of the few European producers successfully exporting to China. We continue to gain a foothold in the top tier of the Chinese market, serving major manufacturers of mining systems and premium construction machinery – companies that have found success not only in China but also in global markets, from the Middle East to Europe, Latin America, and the USA.

At MSV, in addition to our fiber laser, a must-have at any exhibition, we showcased a broad range of our portfolio, featuring solutions for cutting, beveling, drilling, countersinking, tapping, and even milling common contour types on gantry machines. A highlight was the MSF Compact fiber laser, designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Its compact design, featuring a single cutting table that slides out to the side, makes it an attractive option for companies struggling with limited production space.

Industry 4.0, Automation, Digitalization, and 3D Printing

During the four days of the trade fair, we had the opportunity to engage with dozens of manufacturers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, and other neighboring countries. We were pleased to see that interest in innovative solutions remains strong, and there is a continued need for education on new technologies in Central Europe. The fair attracted over 1,300 exhibitors from 42 countries, further highlighted by the visit of Czech President Petr Pavel and tens of thousands of attendees.

MSV 2024 demonstrated that, despite macroeconomic challenges, the manufacturing sector maintains optimism about emerging technologies and remains committed to innovation. These trends, we hope, will bring back customers and investors who may otherwise be waiting for economic conditions to improve. It’s often in times of stagnation that the best ideas are born, as creative minds are forced to explore new approaches and test the potential of new technologies.

MicroStep’s philosophy of continuous product and software innovation, combined with flexibility, positions us well in the current industrial landscape. On one side, you have large-scale manufacturing, optimized to the limit with low costs (and possibly state subsidies). On the other, you have adaptable small and medium-sized businesses that can quickly respond to the demand for customized solutions in small batch sizes or even in “LOT size 1” production. Trending manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and the increasing necessity of digitalizing production processes favor this second group and offer insights into where the future of European manufacturing may lie in the coming decades.

We thank all visitors and partners for a busy and enjoyable time at the fair, and we look forward to returning to Brno again next year!