METALEX 2026 Bangkok: ASEAN Machine Tool Show Guide
By Ilyas Kerbal,
METALEX is the largest machine tool and metalworking exhibition in Southeast Asia. Organised by RX BITEC, its 39th edition in 2025 showcased more than 3,000 brands from 50 countries, 18 international pavilions and 110+ conference sessions, with over 100,000 visitors expected and more than US$213 million in transactions. The 2026 edition runs from 18 to 21 November at BITEC in Bangkok. For suppliers to Thailand’s automotive, EV and electronics supply chains, the METALEX attendee list is the best regional starting point.
METALEX at a glance
| Industry | Machine tools / metalworking |
| City | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Venue | BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre), Halls 98–104, Bangkok |
| Dates | November, 2025: 19–22 Nov; 2026: 18–21 Nov |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Moves between cities? | No, always Bangkok (BITEC) |
| Typical scale | ~100,000 attendees · ~2,700 exhibitors |
| Visitor ticket | Free (trade pre-registration) |
| App / platform | Online pre-registration + business matching |
| Official website | metalex.co.th |
Details checked in October 2026. Dates, prices and venues can change between editions, so confirm on the official METALEX website before you book travel.
What is METALEX?
International pavilions represent Japan, China, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland and more. Signature zones include the JAMTAT Pavilion for Japanese machine tools and Sheet METALEX for sheet metal processing. Product areas:
- Machine tools and CNC machining
- Sheet metal processing and forming
- Welding and cutting
- Cutting tools, measurement and quality control
- Industrial automation and robotics
- Automotive, EV and electronics manufacturing supply chain
Machine tools, sheet metal and automation fill METALEX’s halls at BITEC. Photo: Gpkp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Venue and dates
METALEX has been held at BITEC in Bang Na, Bangkok, every November for nearly 40 editions, using Halls 98–104. The nearest station is BTS Bang Na. The 2026 edition runs 18–21 November. Bangkok is easy to reach and relatively affordable.
Who attends METALEX
| Visitor | Interest | Who should target them |
|---|---|---|
| Thai and ASEAN manufacturing engineers | Machines, tooling, automation | Machine tool builders, integrators |
| Automotive and EV parts makers | Capacity and capability | CNC, welding and automation vendors |
| Electronics and appliance manufacturers | Precision equipment | Machine and tooling suppliers |
| Machine tool dealers and distributors | Lines to represent | Japanese, Chinese, European builders |
| Procurement managers | Suppliers and pricing | Consumables and tooling suppliers |
| Engineering students (limited) | Learning | Universities |
Booking meetings at METALEX? Start with the right names. I’ll put together the METALEX attendee and exhibitor list with job titles, company details and LinkedIn profiles, formatted for your CRM. Ask me for a quote
Registration
Trade visitors pre-register online at metalex.co.th for free; registration closes the day before opening. METALEX is trade-only, children under 15 aren’t admitted, and smart-casual dress is requested.
Business matching and data
Pre-registration, exhibitor lists and business matching requests are handled on metalex.co.th by RX BITEC / RX Tradex. Many exhibitors are dealers rather than OEMs, and most visitors speak Thai. Knowing which manufacturers are coming, and who runs production and purchasing at each, is what turns the show into meetings.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The best machine tool show for ASEAN | Regional rather than global audience |
| Free trade entry | Visitors mostly speak Thai |
| Strong Japanese presence (JAMTAT) | Many dealers rather than OEMs |
| Organised business matching | November crowds at BITEC |
| Bangkok is easy and affordable | Overlaps with other Asian machine tool shows |
One file, ready for HubSpot, Salesforce or Pipedrive. That’s what you get when you order the METALEX attendee and exhibitor list from me. Order it here
Preparing for METALEX 2026
- Pre-register before the day before opening.
- Request business matching through the official site.
- Target automotive and EV parts makers; they drive much of Thailand’s machine tool demand.
- Work with Thai dealers if you don’t have local presence.
- Bring Thai or bilingual materials.
- Follow up before the year-end holidays.
FAQ
When is METALEX 2026?
From 18 to 21 November 2026 at BITEC, Bangkok.
Is METALEX free?
Yes, for pre-registered trade visitors. Children under 15 aren’t admitted.
What is the JAMTAT Pavilion?
The pavilion for Japanese machine tools at METALEX.
Can I get the METALEX attendee list?
There’s no exportable list. I can build an enriched METALEX list of exhibitors and visitor profiles.
Order your METALEX attendee and exhibitor list
A good list turns a METALEX trip from “let’s see who walks by” into a calendar of booked meetings. I build those lists for sales and business development teams: who is exhibiting, who is visiting, their roles, their companies and how to reach them, formatted for your CRM.
Request the METALEX attendee and exhibitor list
Related event guides
- JIMTOF 2026 Tokyo: Machine Tool Fair Guide and Attendee List
- CIMT 2027 Beijing: China Machine Tool Show Guide and Leads
- IMTEX 2027 Bengaluru: Machine Tool Show Guide and Leads
Sources
Photo credits
- Cover image: BITEC Bangna (12) by กสิณธร ราชโอรส, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- In-article image: IMTEX 2025 (Bangalore International Exhibition Centre) 13 by Gpkp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
