ISM Manufacturing 2027 has reported a strong start to its exhibitor registration campaign, with organizers announcing a significant increase in booked exhibition space compared with previous editions.

The event, which serves as the successor to ProSweets Cologne, has already achieved approximately 12% growth in reserved stand area compared with what organizers describe as a traditionally strong trade fair year. The result reflects continued confidence from suppliers serving the global sweets and snacks industry and reinforces the strategic alignment of ISM Manufacturing with ISM and ISM Ingredients under a unified brand structure.

According to organizers, the positive response from exhibitors highlights the industry’s support for the newly integrated trade fair concept, which brings together finished products, ingredients, processing technologies and packaging solutions within a single event framework.

“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,” he added.

Among the companies already registered for the 2027 edition are major machine and plant manufacturers including Hänsel Processing, SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, Theegarten-Pactec, VEMAG Maschinenbau, ULMA Packaging, IMA, Sollich and Schubert.

The exhibitor list also features a broad range of international suppliers such as Caotech, Stampac, LIVE-TECH, Mehmet Makina, Sopp Industrie, Loesch Verpackungstechnik, Wolf Spezialmaschinen, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann, SELMI, Tanis Confectionery and MEMAK Plastik.

ISM Manufacturing will continue to focus on four core exhibition segments: packaging materials, packaging technology, production technology, and operating equipment and auxiliary devices. Organizers said the 2027 edition will place particular emphasis on solutions that support more efficient, resilient and sustainable manufacturing operations.

The event’s integration with ISM and ISM Ingredients is expected to provide additional opportunities for collaboration across the sweets and snacks value chain, bringing together ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers, packaging providers and finished product companies.

“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.

ISM Manufacturing 2027 will take place alongside ISM and ISM Ingredients in Cologne, Germany, from 31 January to 3 February 2027.