That’s a wrap: JIMTOF 2024, exclusive insights and highlights from Headland’s client delegation

The Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF) has long stood as the ultimate destination for manufacturing innovation. The 32nd edition was held from November 5–10, 2024, at Tokyo Big Sight and raised the bar yet again, drawing global attention with its unmatched scale, groundbreaking exhibits, and revolutionary technologies. 

For Headland, JIMTOF isn’t just an event—it’s an opportunity to connect clients with the forefront of manufacturing excellence. Our 2024 JIMTOF tour and its delegation experienced the best the fair had to offer, from exclusive factory visits to VIP networking events, creating memories and connections. 

About JIMTOF: JIMTOF, organised biannually has grown into a global hub for manufacturing innovation. JIMTOF 2024 event covered a record-breaking 118,540 m², showcased an extensive range of technologies including metal cutting and forming machines, CNC, CAD/CAM systems, precision measuring instruments, and advanced tooling. With 1,262 exhibitors from 19 countries and 5,743 booths, JIMTOF 2024 underscored its global influence and continued commitment to advancing the manufacturing industry. 

This year’s event also embraced the digital realm with “JIMTOF INSIGHTS,” a YouTube platform aimed at extending its reach. This initiative fostered year-round engagement by highlighting industry advancements, factory tours, and expert insights. More about JIMTOF 

Headland’s exclusive JIMTOF networking tour  

For Headland, JIMTOF is more than just a trade show—it’s a benchmark event to connect our clients with the latest in manufacturing technology and innovation. However, with a show of this magnitude, navigating the vast offerings and ensuring an impactful experience for attendees can be daunting. Our goal was to create a seamless, curated journey for our clients that balanced the grandeur of JIMTOF with intimate, in-depth experiences that would deliver meaningful value. Headland’s CNC specialists, Julian and Craig, led a carefully planned tour, offering a personalised experience to 18 of our valued clients from Australia and New Zealand. The itinerary integrated key highlights of JIMTOF with exclusive factory visits, VIP events, and networking opportunities. 

Day-by-day highlights 

Key elements of the tour included: 

• Factory Tours:  
  • Customers visited Makino’s facilities to witness spindle and machine manufacturing, gaining valuable insights into the precision and innovation driving the industry.  
  • Nakamura-Tome’s tour provided a hands-on look at its world-renowned machine-building capabilities. 

• Exclusive Events: The Citizen Reception Dinner was a standout, offering a unique platform for networking with industry peers and executives in a relaxed, high-calibre setting. 

• JIMTOF Exploration: Guided navigation through the expansive trade show ensured clients focused on the most relevant technologies for their operations.

This tour was meticulously planned to ensure a balance between structured activities and flexible exploration. 

Insights from our clients 

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the excellent organisation, the unique insights gained, and the opportunities to connect with both peers and industry leaders.

Our delegation shared testimonials about the value of the experience: 

• “The Makino factory tour was a highlight. It was fascinating to see machines and spindles being built firsthand.”– Rob Banhidi, Flexicut Engineering 

• “I appreciated the thoughtful group size and balance between structured activities and free time to explore.” – Jake Gogol, Hargo Engineering 

• “The Citizen dinner was a fantastic opportunity to network and learn more about their technology in a relaxed setting.” – Tom Nathan, Total Precision 

• “A seamless, well-executed trip that provided an incredible mix of insights, networking, and fun!” – David Colasante, FLSmidth 

 Looking ahead to JIMTOF 2026

Building on the success of JIMTOF 2024, Headland is excited to continue its tradition of providing clients with an unparalleled experience. The next JIMTOF tour in 2026 promises even greater opportunities to explore new manufacturing advancements, gain exclusive factory access, and connect with industry experts. 

Conclusion 

JIMTOF 2024 demonstrated why it stands as a global benchmark in manufacturing innovation. For Headland’s clients, the event was an invaluable opportunity to immerse themselves in groundbreaking CNC technology, network with industry leaders, and experience the future of manufacturing. We are proud to have facilitated this journey and if you’ve ever wondered how to stay ahead in the competitive manufacturing world, the answer is simple: Join our Headland delegation for JIMTOF 2026 and let our CNC technology experts guide you into the future of the industry and fill out the form below to secure your spot.