Prepare for scale at Bauma ‘25 (and a look at who’s coming)

Preparations for the Bauma 2022 construction equipment show (Image courtesy of Messe München)

Stefan Rummel, CEO of Messe München – the fair organiser running the show – confirmed the ‘more the merrier’ approach for the forthcoming expedition and gave some insight on the scope of Bauma’s big return during a pair of press briefings on 28-29 October.

“Bauma in 2025 will once again be the heartbeat of the industry,” he said, sharing a preliminary map of the grounds during the presser on the 28th. “We’re thinking about 64,000m²… which is equivalent to 86 soccer fields.”

Being a construction event, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that some constructive solutions are also aiding logistics. Rummel said his organisation is building new infrastructure to help mitigate traffic congestion caused by sizing up. Works include building a bridge (“mainly for coach buses”) to access a new entrance area.

Below is a closer look at more facts and figures for the upcoming Bauma trade show.

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Exhibitor, visitor numbers expected back up from 2022

Wirtgen’s exhibition area at Bauma 2022 (Image courtesy of Wirtgen)

Although Bauma last ran in 2022, it was in an adjusted and reduced capacity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But Rummel is expecting a return to 2019 and prior figures on the exhibitor roster when the event brought nearly 4,000 organisations to Neue Messe München grounds. He added he is hoping for upwards of 600,000 visitors, as well. “With this size… we are also expecting a lot more visitors than in 2022,” said Rummel. Bauma 2022 brought in just less than 500,000 people.

“Still counting [exhibitors], because we’re experiencing very strong demand,” he said, noting four “key exhibitors” like Volvo, Deutz, CNH and LiuGong are returning in April. “We’re really happy to have a full-scale brand portfolio, again.”

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Expect a diverse group of companies at Bauma ‘25

Aerial view of Bauma 2022 (Image courtesy of Messe München)

Rummel told Construction Briefing it was still too soon to offer reliable breakdowns of figures, specifically how many exhibitors will be present from which countries or how many first time exhibitors there will be (“we are currently counting,” he said, noting exact fgures will be available in the future).

However, he did anticipate a solid return of Chinese firms.

“We will definitely have a group with us, again, from China, and also of course the OEMs from China,” stopping short of supplying an estimate. “China will be very present.”

While numbers are not final, Bauma is expecting about 150 first-time exhibitors in 2025.

Joachim Schmid, managing director of construction equipment, plant engineering, and mining for the VDMA (Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association) – which supports Bauma’s Innovation Hall – added that this year’s event is making an effort to highlight the newest of construction industry start-ups.

“Young talent and young companies are our main focus,” said Schmid, referring to Innovation Hall and varies exhibits there. He estimated around 85 different start-ups will participate in this year’s Innovation exhibitions.

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Bauma to host 15,000 students

Preparations for the Bauma 2022 construction equipment show (Image courtesy of Messe München)

One of the largest single bodies of people to descend on Bauma next year is about 15,000 students, who will join as part of the Think Big programme.

“We started that several Baumas ago,” noted Schmid, adding that typically the programme would bus in several hundred students.

This year, however, Bauma organisers decided to think even bigger.

“We did a big shot, and we thought big,” said Schmid. “And, we expect 15,000 students.”

Schmid said the groups will be invited to a dedicated area where machines will be on display.

“They can try to drive the excavators… and take part in the processes that are being done in the industry,” he added.

In addition to exhibits designed for learners, Schmid noted how Bauma, in general, works closely with global universities and incorporates advancing science and technology across the exhibit spaces.

“We organise the Science Hub where universities… work together with our companies, [and] they provide solutions for our industry,” he added.

Schmid also highlighted the Innovation Awards, which run at each Bauma and are open to all exhibiting companies.

“There is a part of the Innovation Awards that is designated to work processes,” he noted, confirming this year’s judges will have more than one catalogue to consider. “Not just machines, but also a category for digitalisation, for sustainability, [and] climate neutrality.”