bauma China opens in Shanghai on 23 November with a new format and a larger footprint. Organiser Messe München expects close to 4,000 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions across a record 400,000 square metres. The 2024 edition, by the organiser's count, drew 3,542 exhibitors and 281,488 visitors on 330,000 square metres.
One show, two venues
For the first time the fair is split between two sites in Pudong, with different dates:
| Venue | Dates | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) | 24–27 November | main exhibition: heavy machinery, mining, construction vehicles, components |
| Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) | 23–26 November | new energy, intelligent equipment, digital solutions, conferences and live demonstrations |
Visitors looking for cranes in the iron should start at SNIEC, while part of the electric and autonomous technology has moved to the second site. Some exhibitors are present at both. Sany, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, has taken nearly 10,000 square metres in four zones.
Cranes: what has been announced
Manitowoc is the only major crane manufacturer to have set out its plans in advance. On its SNIEC stand it will:
- release full details of a new high-capacity Potain luffing jib tower crane;
- preview a next-generation flat top scheduled for 2027;
- show the Potain K1000A mast, a 3.45 by 3.45 metre section for the MCT 2205 and future heavy models, offered as an alternative to the 4 by 4 metre sections used on Potain's heavy-duty cranes today;
- present its new ECS control system alongside Potain and Grove models.
No model names or capacities have been given ahead of the show. An industry forum is planned on the stand for 26 November.
XCMG, Sany and Zoomlion had not published crane line-ups at the time of writing. XCMG, an exhibitor since 2002, speaks only of a new generation of equipment for intelligent, new-energy and green construction.
What to watch
The tonnage race
The 2024 show was remembered for 4,000 tonne All Terrain-type cranes built for wind turbine erection: XCMG's XCA4000 on eleven axles and a Sany equivalent on nine. Whether the next step is bigger still, or a move to series versions, is an open question.
Electrification
In 2024 Shanghai saw Zoomlion's 150 tonne ZCC1500V-1EV electric crawler and XCMG's 60 tonne XCE60EV hybrid All Terrain. A dedicated venue for new energy suggests the organiser expects many more.
Tower cranes
They were prominent two years ago despite the slump in Chinese housing, with XCMG's 65 tonne XGL900-65S luffer among the exhibits. Manitowoc's announcement keeps the heavy class in focus.
Exports
A global buyer invitation programme is new this year, and first-time exhibitors include companies from India, Türkiye and Brazil. With the domestic market weak in 2024, the show increasingly serves as a shop window for overseas customers.
Practical details
SWEECC is open 23–26 November and SNIEC 24–27 November, from 9 am to 5 pm, closing at 3 pm on each venue's final day. The show's page in our events calendar: bauma CHINA 2026. We will publish a review of the crane launches after the show.
Source: bauma CHINA