ISM Manufacturing 2027 has reported a strong start to its exhibitor recruitment campaign, with organisers recording approximately 12% growth in booked exhibition space compared with a typical trade fair cycle, highlighting continued investment in packaging and processing technologies for the sweets and snacks industry.
The event, which succeeds ProSweets Cologne, will take place alongside ISM and ISM Ingredients in Cologne from 31 January to 3 February 2027. Organisers say the positive registration figures underline growing industry confidence and reinforce the strategic positioning of the three co-located exhibitions as a platform covering the entire sweets and snacks value chain.
For packaging professionals, the early exhibitor list is particularly notable for the presence of several major packaging machinery and systems suppliers. Companies already committed to the event include ULMA Packaging, SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, IMA, Gerhard Schubert, Loesch Verpackungstechnik and Theegarten-Pactec, alongside a broad range of international processing and equipment manufacturers.
“The strong level of participation already registered by the end of the early bird phase impressively demonstrates the high standing ISM Manufacturing enjoys within the sector – and also confirms that uniting the three trade fairs under a joint brand umbrella was the right move,” said Guido Hentschke, Director of ISM Manufacturing. “We are delighted that the key market leaders of the supplier industry for the production of sweets and snacks have signalled their commitment at such an early stage.”
The exhibition remains focused on four core sectors: packaging materials, packaging technology, production technology, and operating equipment and auxiliary devices. Organisers expect packaging innovations to play a central role as manufacturers seek solutions that improve efficiency, sustainability and operational resilience.
The international exhibitor base already confirmed for the show reflects the increasingly global nature of investment in confectionery and snack production. Alongside established European machinery suppliers, companies from across multiple regions have secured exhibition space, signalling continued demand for advanced packaging automation, flexible manufacturing systems and integrated production solutions.
Organisers believe the combination of ISM Manufacturing, ISM and ISM Ingredients creates a unique industry platform by bringing together ingredient suppliers, production technology providers and packaging specialists in a single venue. The approach is designed to help manufacturers evaluate new product concepts, ingredient developments, processing technologies and packaging solutions within one event ecosystem.
“The ISM trade fair trio combines innovative power, expertise in ingredients and industrial implementation in a format that is unique worldwide. This is the only place where it is possible to experience the entire value chain of the sweets and snacks industry. The event presents practical, current solutions that are of high relevance for the industry and trade, offering genuine added value for all the trade visitors,” Hentschke said.
With more than seven months remaining before the exhibition opens, the strong early demand suggests packaging equipment suppliers view ISM Manufacturing as an increasingly important route to market for technologies serving the confectionery and snacks sectors, particularly as manufacturers continue investing in automation, sustainability and production efficiency.
