iVT Expo Germany reflections: realities, resilience and the road ahead

By Carlos Mendes, Product Manager for Switching @ Durakool

This year’s iVT Expo felt different.
There was still plenty of innovation on show and good conversations to be had. But, beneath the excitement sat a more grounded mood shaped by the realities of the wider world.

A changing global picture
Across the event, it was clear that shifting political and economic conditions are having an impact. Ongoing conflicts like those between Israel and Iran or Ukraine and Russia have drawn global attention and budgets back to defence. As a result, funding for clean technologies is getting squeezed.

In the US, political changes are creating renewed support for traditional energy sources which has made things tougher for emerging technologies like hydrogen and lithium-ion systems.
This change in direction is being felt across the industry. The show wasn’t as busy as in previous years and many people spoke about a noticeable slowdown in market activity, some suggesting as much as 25%.

Fewer people, more meaningful conversations
Despite fewer attendees, the conversations felt deeper and more focused. There was a strong presence from integrators - those who connect components and subsystems to build complete solutions for equipment makers.

They came with clear goals and technical questions, looking for components that could offer more intelligence or better connectivity. These discussions were useful not just in a commercial sense, but also in understanding where things are heading next.

Even with uncertainty in the air, there’s still a clear demand for smart, reliable systems.

Shining a light on the small but significant
One interesting thread was how often the most basic-looking components are actually doing some of the most critical work. Take something as common as a relay - often dismissed as a simple box of wires. But dig deeper, and you’ll see just how important it is to the safety and performance of a wider system.

At the event, these kinds of components were getting the attention they deserve, showing how every part plays a role in building smarter, better machines.

What comes next
This year’s iVT wasn’t about big product launches or packed halls. It was about honesty, focus and taking stock. The mood felt more thoughtful as companies paused to reassess where to go next.

For those of us in the sector, it’s a reminder to stay curious and keep listening. Not just to customers, but to what’s happening in the world around us. That might mean rethinking how we talk about technology or just paying more attention to what people really need right now.

Progress might be a little slower at the moment, but it’s still happening. And for an industry built on practical innovation, that steady movement forward still counts.