IMTS 2026 Reveals How Manufacturers Can Redefine Productivity and Transform Possibilities

May 12, 2026

McLean, Va. (May 12, 2026) — As manufacturers face rising demand alongside persistent labor constraints, IMTS 2026 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show will spotlight the next wave of enabling technologies reshaping how work gets done on the shop floor. From automation to digital workflows to AI-enhanced solutions, job shops and contract manufacturers will learn how they can dramatically increase productivity, extend unattended operations, and eliminate non-value-added tasks across their operations.

“Boosting labor productivity is essential to strengthening the U.S. industrial base, and the technologies on display at IMTS demonstrate how manufacturers can do more with the teams they have,” says Douglas K. Woods, president of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which owns and produces IMTS. “The pace of innovation, both in capability and in how quickly and easily solutions can be implemented, makes advanced manufacturing solutions more accessible than ever. IMTS is where manufacturers can see these technologies in action and learn how to apply them to solve problems and elevate performance.”

“If you’re evaluating cobots at IMTS, get hands-on and try the programming yourself,” adds Rob Goldiez, Co-Founder of Hirebotics, whose cobot systems can be programmed and controlled with a smartphone.