ECTC 2026 PROGRAM
The historic event center in the heart of Graz offers a unique setting for conferences. Home to the first university in Graz, founded in 1607, the venue features stunning ceiling vaults from the era of Maria Theresa. Today, it serves as a modern event location with over 1,000 m² of event space, hosting charismatic speakers and exciting panels. This fantastic location will also host the European Cutting Tool Conference.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Friday, 8.5.2026 // 8:30 – 16:30
Alte Universität Graz, Hofgasse 14, 8010 Graz
The program promises to be diverse and engaging, featuring expert speakers and plenty of opportunities for networking and collaboration. From market updates in Europe and the U.S. to future-oriented topics such as AI, automation, digitalization, and sustainable leadership, ECTC 2026 will explore the most pressing challenges and innovations in the cutting tools industry. Sessions will also address key developments in tool management, HR transformation, and the automotive sector, making the conference highly relevant for both strategic decision-makers and technical experts.
// CONFERENCE ONLY FOR ATTENDEES
// WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE MAIN CONFERENCE HOTEL WEITZER
// ECTA CONFERENCE IN HISTORIC SETTING
08:30 – 08:45 // Welcome & Introduction
Federico Costa – ECTA President
08:45 – 09:15 // Precision tools industry in Europe – market situation and environment
Stefan Zecha – CEO of Zecha Hartmetall Werkzeughartmetallfabrikation and Chairman of VDMA Precision Tools
Manfred Grimm – Market Data and Statistics Specialist of VDMA Precision Tools
09:15 – 09:45 // Update on US Cutting Tool Market
Mike Stokey – USCTI Executive President and Executive Vice President of Allied Machine & Engineering
09:45 – 10:30 // Visualization as a Key Factor for Business Excellence
Reinhard Gussmagg – Artist, Speaker, Author and Business Consultant
10:30 – 11:00 // COFFEE BREAK
11:00 – 11:45 // Place Advanced Manufacturing at the Forefront of European Industrial Policy
Filip Geerts – Director General of CECIMO – European Association of Manufacturing Technologies
11:45 – 12:30 // Automotive Trends in Highly Volatile World
DI Dr. Günter Fraidl – Senior Vice President, Powertrain Systems Passenger Cars of AVL List GmbH
12:30 – 13:45 // LUNCH
13:45 – 14:30 // New requirements in Tool Management (Automation, Digitalisation and AI)
Markus Temmel – CEO of TCM International – Tool Consulting & Management GmbH
14:30 – 15:15 // AI-H.A.B.I.Ts – Building Sustainable AI Habits for the Manufacturing Industry
Patrick Ratheiser – AI Speaker
15:15 – 15:35 // COFFEE BREAK
15:35 – 16:15 // Rethinking HR – lessons on Change!
Dr. Markus Tomaschitz – Chief Human Resources Officer, Group Spokesman of AVL List GmbH
16:15 – 16:20 // Graphic Recording Presentation
Reinhard Gussmagg – Artist, Speaker, Author and Business Consultant
16:20 – 16:30 // Conclusion of the Conference
Federico Costa – ECTA President
CONFERENCE SPEAKER
