The Brazilian Tool Industry Association (ABINFER), in coordination with the National Industrial Apprenticeship Service of São Paulo, Brazil (SENAI/SP), organized the 2025 Annual Meeting and General Assembly of the International Specialty Tool and Machining Industry Association (ISTMA). The event took place in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 25th to 27th.

It provided a boost to innovation, fostered international collaboration, and addressed key challenges in the global tooling sector, such as vocational training and business opportunities.

Industry leaders and technical experts from around the world gathered. This was an unparalleled opportunity to explore the latest advances and strategies shaping the future of manufacturing and tooling.

Maquinados Industriales Ayala was there.

The event began at the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), where more than 60 executives from around the world participated in discussions on the global economy, tool innovation, and professional training strategies. The event included roundtable discussions, keynote lectures, and technical tours to some of Brazil's most innovative industrial and educational facilities, such as SENAI, Polimold, and Volkswagen do Brasil. Attendees also had access to the Plástico Brasil Fair, one of the most important fairs in Latin America for the plastics and manufacturing industry.

Manuel Oliveira, Executive Director of the National Association of the Mold Industry (CEMAFOL – Portugal), opened the event by presenting the success story "Looking to the Future."

Luis Eduardo Albano, Vice President of the Brazilian Association of the Tool Industry (ABINFER – Brazil), presented the challenges facing the Brazilian mold and die industry, highlighting the "Podium" program as a strategy to strengthen the sector.

Glauber Longo, Commercial Director of TopSolid Brazil, explained the differences between an Integrated Digital Factory, focusing on "How to connect engineering, production, and management in the tool industry." He highlighted the challenges tool manufacturers face in their work routines, emphasizing the implementation of integrated solutions necessary across industry departments to achieve more agile and efficient productivity. The Commercial Director of TopSolid Brazil emphasized that integrated solutions target industries toward the 4.0 model, ensuring up to 35% more productivity and a 42% reduction in errors.

Tapiwa Samanga, CEO of the Production Technology Association of South Africa (PtSA), presented the program, which boosts the efficiency and competitiveness of the tooling, forming, and stamping (TDM) industry in Africa by promoting capacity development, networking, and global integration.

“The program supports the training of young people and has established South Africa as a supplier of skilled labor to the industry in several countries, including Germany.” (Samanga)

In an environment that fostered the exchange of ideas and the formation of new international alliances, the event proved to be a success for the tooling and manufacturing sector.

Source: TopSolid and ISTMA world