Hannover Fairs Turkey, Sena Mengül: WIN Eurasia 2026 positions automation as a strategic lever for competitiveness

Sena Mengül, Head of WIN Eurasia at Hannover Fairs Turkey, for South-East European Industrial Market Magazine

How is WIN Eurasia 2026 building on the "Driven by Automation" motto compared to the previous edition? Which new or different technology areas and solutions will be in focus this year?

Organized for the 32nd time at the Istanbul Expo Center between June 10 – 13 under the motto "Driven by Automation", WIN Eurasia 2026 presents a more holistic structure compared to previous editions by positioning automation not merely as a technology topic, but at the very core of manufacturing. Going beyond the traditional product trade fair approach, the exhibition stands out with a concept that makes the tangible value of automation in manufacturing processes directly experienceable on-site.

Spanning 55 000 square meters across six halls, the event offers an integrated showcase of solutions in the fields of electric, electronics transmission and distribution & energy automation; industrial and factory automation systems; robotic automation and digital factory technologies; machine automation and technologies; welding and robotic welding technologies; joining, cutting and surface treatment technologies; as well as COMVAC – compressed air and vacuum technologies.

The most distinctive feature of the 2026 edition is its experience-focused special areas. Through areas such as the Industrial IoT Area, 5G Arena, Industrial Artificial Intelligence Area, Welding Application Area, Power Transmission Area, and Maintenance & Repair Workshop Area, visitors will be able to directly observe the operating principles of new generation manufacturing technologies, the operational outputs of automation infrastructures, and real life use cases on the field. In this respect, WIN Eurasia 2026 positions automation as a strategic lever for competitiveness, sustainability, and manufacturing continuity.

Which key trends in manufacturing, automation, and digitalization will shape the industrial landscape of the Eurasian region over the next decade?

Over the next decade, the industrial structure of the Eurasia region will be shaped by a multi-layered transformation driven by AI-powered automation, data-driven manufacturing, energy efficiency, and sustainability. With the increasing use of artificial intelligence and data analytics in manufacturing processes, decision-making mechanisms are evolving toward autonomous systems that operate with minimal human intervention.

Predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, digital twin technologies, and real-time data analysis are becoming essential tools for enhancing continuity in production and optimizing costs. Robotics and flexible manufacturing systems will play a critical role, particularly in responding quickly to fluctuating demand conditions, while "dark factories" – facilities operating with minimal human involvement – will gain more prominence.

Energy management and sustainability are also becoming integral parts of manufacturing. Smart grids, energy monitoring systems, low-carbon production models, and circular economy approaches are redefining competitive parameters, especially for export-oriented industries. Meanwhile, the integration of IoT and 5G is enabling production lines to become interconnected, traceable, and optimizable, while hydrogen technologies and next-generation energy solutions are expected to play a significant role in the future of industrial infrastructure.

All these developments indicate that manufacturing will evolve into a smart ecosystem shaped by data, software, and system integration – ushering in a new era in Eurasia where competition will be defined less by cost and more by technological capability and integration expertise.

How will the platform facilitate valuable business partnerships during the trade fair, particularly for companies from Bulgaria? What is the importance of the Bulgarian market for Turkish exhibitors and which areas do you consider most promising?

Bulgaria is among the countries that have shown strong interest in previous editions, reflecting the solid commercial and industrial interaction between the two countries. Geographic proximity, logistical advantages, and complementary production ecosystems position the Bulgarian market as strategically important for Turkish exhibitors.

The trade fair offers companies from Bulgaria the opportunity to establish direct contact with industry players and experience solutions on-site, while providing Turkish exhibitors with significant opportunities for new partnerships and expansion into regional markets. Looking ahead, we expect collaborations between the two countries to gain further momentum. The multi-layered interaction environment offered by WIN Eurasia strongly supports this potential.