IMTS 2026: Five Takeaways for Manufacturers Planning Equipment Investments

TL;DR: The big takeaway from IMTS 2026: Don’t just buy a machine. Invest in a productivity system that combines automation, skilled people, connected technology and financing structured around the return the equipment can generate.

Manufacturers flocked to Chicago for the recent International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), and the message was clear: manufacturers are investing again, but what they expect from those investments is changing.

Held September 14-19, IMTS 2026 attracted more than 90,000 visitors and nearly 1,800 exhibitors at a time when capital investment in U.S. manufacturing is in expansion mode. The show provided manufacturers from across the globe the opportunity to see new technology and discover new ways to get more productivity from their equipment, their people, and their capital.

Below are five key takeaways for manufacturing equipment buyers. 

1. Automation is part of the process, not an add-on

Automation solutions were everywhere throughout the show. But automation increasingly means more than simply putting a robot next to a machine.

Exhibitors highlighted automation across the entire production process, including robotics, pallet handling, tool management, workholding, inspection, software, and unattended production.

Machine tool builders reinforced this in their exhibits, displaying gantry loaders and pallet systems to create “lights-out” manufacturing, along with software that connects cutting machines to tool inspection and workholding systems.

For buyers, this suggests a shift in how they should evaluate equipment. Instead of looking at a standalone machine for fast cycle time, they should consider which system produces the most good parts per staffed hour.  

2. Technology isn't eliminating the need for skilled workers

Despite the conversations around robotics and automation, IMTS 2026 reinforced the fact that advanced manufacturing still needs skilled machinists, operators, and manufacturing professionals.

The change is in how their skills are being used.

And while technology is becoming easier to use, it still requires basic machining know-how and critical thinking. Guided processes, automated setup, embedded recommendations, and more intuitive interfaces are increasingly allowing operators to manage sophisticated processes and oversee multiple machines. But they still need to troubleshoot issues, optimize programs, and improve quality.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) presence at the show explicitly connected AI and automation with the need to strengthen manufacturing’s talent pipeline and develop the skills required for the next generation of manufacturing.

That’s an important distinction. Automation doesn’t necessarily replace skilled people. It can amplify them and their productivity.

Workforce development and equipment investment are two sides of the same strategy. When evaluating a new product system or machine, manufacturers should consider not only what the equipment can do, but also what skills their people will need to get full value from it.

3. Fewer setups and processes can matter more than faster cycle time

Multi-tasking machines have been around for years, but this year’s show continued to reinforce the possibility of multi-function machines. Many of the machine builders showed machines that combine turning, milling, and even grinding capabilities. For operators, this reduces setup time and the need to move parts from one machine to another. It can also improve part quality.

Process consolidation creates an important consideration for any capital purchase.

Manufacturers should calculate the economics of the entire process, including labor, setup, secondary operations, work-in-process, inspection, material movement, scrap, and floor space.

An equipment investment that removes an operation, reduces wait time, or allows a part to come off the machine complete can create value that isn’t obvious from the machine’s price tag.

4. AI and connectivity are moving from the office to the machine

And of course, AI tools were on display, including AI-enabled vision systems and robotics, but practical applications were focused on making equipment easier to program, monitor, and automate.

Digital automation encompassed machine monitoring, ERP/MES connectivity, and production analytics, all intended to improve visibility and productivity across the shop.

The line between software and physical equipment is becoming blurred as more machines require connectivity to operate effectively and efficiently.

For buyers, this means evaluating software alongside the machines, as the physical and digital become one ecosystem.

5. How you finance your investment matters

As the manufacturing industry evolves, the financing conversation is evolving as well.

When purchasing equipment, the full acquisition cost should be taken into account. The machine is only part of the equation. You must also consider automation, software, installation, and integration.

When financing equipment, most lenders look only at the hard costs – the cost of the actual machine. The soft costs – installation, software, engineering services – can sometimes be financed but may require the business to increase the down payment. The higher down payment ensures equity in the loan to help cover the soft costs.

Business owners should ask, “How much additional productive capacity will this investment create, and can the financing structure align the total cost of the equipment with the cash flow it generates?”

A lender that understands the manufacturing industry can help businesses evaluate the cash flow needs and provide an equipment financing loan that sets the manufacturer up for success.

The Overall Message from IMTS 2026

The energy and enthusiasm on display at IMTS 2026 were encouraging and bode well for the future of manufacturing in the U.S.

Manufacturers that successfully combine capable equipment, intelligent automation, skilled people, connected technology, and smart capital strategies will succeed in the long run.

If you found equipment at IMTS that you want to purchase, we can help you evaluate your financing options so you can put it to work, cutting chips, making parts, and building your business.

Want a quick show recap? Watch our IMTS 2026 video.