SIMTOS 2026, One of Korea’s Largest Manufacturing Technology Trade Shows, to Be Held April 13–17 at KINTEX: Key Highlights and Updated Access Information

SIMTOS, one of Asia’s largest manufacturing technology trade shows, will return in April 2026 at the KINTEX exhibition center in Goyang, South Korea. The event will bring together more than 1,300 companies from 35 countries, showcasing the latest machine tools and advanced manufacturing technologies incorporating AI. As a major international gathering for the manufacturing industry, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to gain insight into emerging technologies and trends shaping the future of manufacturing.

This article outlines the basic overview of SIMTOS 2026, highlights notable exhibition areas, and explains the latest access information to the venue, which has become significantly more convenient following the opening of a new railway line.

What Kind of Exhibition Is SIMTOS?

First Held in 1984, One of Korea’s Largest Manufacturing Technology Events

SIMTOS is Korea’s largest manufacturing technology exhibition, with a history spanning more than 40 years since its first edition in 1984. The official name of the event is the Seoul International Manufacturing Technology Show, and it is held biennially.

The exhibition originally focused on machine tools—equipment used to cut, drill, and shape metal components. Over time, however, the scope of the exhibition has evolved significantly in response to changes in the manufacturing industry.

Today, SIMTOS has grown into a comprehensive event that goes beyond the display of machinery alone. It now covers a wide range of technologies related to manufacturing, including computer-based software, automated systems capable of managing entire factories, advanced robotics, and environmentally conscious technologies. Due to its scale and scope, SIMTOS is widely regarded as one of Asia’s leading manufacturing exhibitions, alongside major events held in Japan, Europe, and the United States.

The 2026 Theme: The Integration of AI and Human Expertise

SIMTOS 2026 will take place over five days from April 13 to April 17, 2026. The theme for this edition is “AI Autonomous Manufacturing Meets Talent.”

In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence has expanded across many industries, and manufacturing is no exception. Production environments are entering a new phase in which machines can assess conditions and operate with increasing levels of autonomy.

At the same time, human expertise remains essential for operating these technologies and managing the overall production process. One of the key highlights of SIMTOS 2026 will be how advanced AI technologies can work together with the knowledge and practical skills of people working on the factory floor to create new forms of manufacturing.

The exhibition is also expected to present ideas and technologies that address global challenges such as labor shortages and environmental sustainability.

Key Exhibitions and Highlights of SIMTOS 2026

Five Specialized Exhibition Areas Supporting the Foundations of Manufacturing

The exhibition halls are divided into several specialized areas, allowing visitors to explore the event efficiently according to their interests and professional needs. Each area is organized around specific stages of the manufacturing process.

One area features the latest machine tools used for cutting and shaping metal components. Another focuses on essential components and control systems that operate and manage machinery. The layout is designed so that visitors can easily understand how different technologies contribute to the overall manufacturing workflow.

Additional sections present measuring equipment used to maintain product quality, welding technologies that join metals using heat, and press-forming technologies that shape metal under high pressure. Within these areas, visitors can observe advanced technologies such as environmentally conscious machines that achieve high precision with reduced energy consumption. Many of the showcased technologies are used in the production of everyday products, including components for smartphones and automobiles.

SIMTOS 2026 Official Website https://simtos.org/eng/

A Special Exhibition Area Showcasing the Factory of the Future

One of the most notable features of SIMTOS 2026 is a large special exhibition area located in Exhibition Hall 2. This section highlights emerging concepts related to the digitalization and automation of manufacturing, presenting a vision of the factory of the future.

Visitors will be able to observe collaborative robots designed to work safely alongside humans without the need for protective safety fences, as well as autonomous robots that move throughout factory environments transporting heavy materials.

The area will also showcase advanced technologies such as 3D printers that produce physical objects directly from digital design data, and digital twin systems that replicate real factory environments in virtual space for testing and simulation. Even without specialized technical knowledge, visitors can gain a tangible sense of how manufacturing may evolve by watching these technologies in operation.

Business Benefits and Comprehensive Support Programs

A Business Matching System Connecting Companies

SIMTOS is not only an opportunity to explore the latest manufacturing technologies, but also an important venue where companies can identify new business opportunities.

Past data shows that approximately 70% to 80% of visitors hold purchasing decision-making authority, and concrete business discussions frequently take place throughout the venue. To support these interactions, the organizers provide an online business matching system designed to facilitate connections between exhibitors and visitors.

Through this system, companies and attendees can exchange information online before the exhibition begins and arrange meetings in advance. By using this platform, participants can avoid the need to search for potential partners across the large exhibition venue and instead conduct focused discussions within a limited timeframe. The system therefore helps make business meetings more efficient and productive.

A Gateway for Expanding Business Globally

South Korea hosts a number of globally competitive industries, including automobiles, smartphones, and semiconductors. As a result, SIMTOS attracts companies not only from Korea but also from Japan, China, Europe, and other regions around the world, all presenting their latest technologies.

Many well-known Japanese companies are expected to participate, and in some editions of the exhibition a dedicated pavilion for Japanese exhibitors is organized. Participating in SIMTOS provides access not only to the Korean market but also to broader trends across the Asian manufacturing sector and beyond. For companies seeking new partners or international business opportunities, the exhibition serves as a valuable platform for both market intelligence and networking.

KINTEX as the Venue and Dramatically Improved Accessibility

KINTEX: One of Asia’s Largest Exhibition Venues

The venue for SIMTOS 2026 is Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX), a major exhibition complex located in the city of Goyang, South Korea.

KINTEX is the largest exhibition venue in South Korea. The combined area of Exhibition Center 1 and Exhibition Center 2 exceeds approximately 100,000 square meters, providing a scale that accommodates large international trade shows. This extensive space offers an ideal environment for an event such as SIMTOS 2026, where many heavy industrial machines and large-scale equipment are displayed.

The facility is designed to support the requirements of large manufacturing exhibitions. Reinforced floors allow the installation of heavy machinery, while high ceilings enable the construction of large and visually striking exhibition booths. Although the venue covers a vast area, moving walkways installed along the corridor connecting the two exhibition halls help visitors travel comfortably between sections.

In addition, the surrounding area includes large parking facilities and a variety of rest spaces, enabling visitors to spend extended periods at the exhibition with relative comfort.

---

New GTX Rail Line Cuts Travel Time to Just 16 Minutes from Central Seoul

One of the most notable improvements for participants attending SIMTOS 2026 is the significant enhancement in transportation access to the venue.

In the past, traveling from central Seoul to the exhibition venue typically required around one hour using a combination of buses and subway lines. However, the situation changed with the opening of the new Great Train eXpress (GTX) line in late 2024.

With the new service in operation, travel time from Seoul Station to the nearest station serving Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) has been reduced to approximately 16 minutes. For international visitors arriving by air, the shortened travel time also improves connectivity from the airport, making it feasible to visit the exhibition even on a tight schedule.

The reduced travel time offers greater flexibility for participants during their stay. After attending the exhibition, visitors can more easily return to central Seoul for meetings, dinners, or other business activities, allowing them to make more effective use of their time in the city.

Related Report on KINTEX and the GTX Rail Line

https://micetimes.jp/en/report-kintex-2025-2/

KINTEX, Korea’s Largest Exhibition Venue—Within 30 Minutes of Seoul by High-Speed Rail: KINTEX and Goyang City’s MICE Strategy, with Reports from Exhibitions Held on Site [Korea 2025 Autumn Feature 2]

SIMTOS 2026: Shaping the Next Generation of Manufacturing

This article has explored in detail SIMTOS 2026, South Korea’s largest manufacturing technology exhibition, scheduled to take place in April 2026. With a history spanning more than 40 years, the event has evolved significantly—from a traditional machine tool exhibition into a comprehensive platform where visitors can experience the future of manufacturing, including new approaches in which artificial intelligence and human expertise work together.

More than 1,300 companies from around the world are expected to participate, presenting the latest technologies designed to improve efficiency and support environmentally responsible production. For professionals involved in manufacturing, as well as those seeking to better understand the future of the industry, the exhibition provides an opportunity to discover emerging technologies and industry trends in one place.

Accessibility to the venue has also improved considerably. The opening of the Great Train eXpress (GTX) has significantly shortened travel time between central Seoul and Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX), making the event easier to reach for both domestic and international visitors.

In addition to the exhibition itself, a range of supporting programs—including a pre-event business matching system and specialized seminars—will be available. These initiatives are designed not only to provide insights into emerging technologies but also to facilitate concrete business opportunities among participating companies.

As the global manufacturing sector continues to evolve, SIMTOS 2026 offers a venue where visitors can directly observe the innovations shaping the industry and consider how these developments may influence future production and everyday life.