Exhibition Calendar 2026

If you know VHM Machinery even a little, you know that we love building machines. But perhaps even more importantly, we love listening to the people who work with them.

That is exactly why we’ll be attending trade shows this fall in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and beyond. Not because we’re so eager to spend a few days on the trade show floor, but because that’s where the conversations take place that help us move forward.

When I started as commercial director at VHM a year ago, something immediately struck me. In the Netherlands, many growers and processors have known us for years. But outside the Netherlands, there is still enormous potential for growth. For us, a trade show is one of the best ways to get to know the market.

In just a few days, you’ll speak with dozens of companies: growers, packers, processors, dealers, and other specialists. These are people who face challenges every day and know exactly where things can be improved. It’s precisely these conversations that often yield the most valuable insights.

Because even though markets differ, many challenges turn out to be surprisingly similar.

Whether you operate in Germany, Spain, Belgium, or North America, labor availability is under pressure everywhere. Companies are looking for ways to get more work done with the same number of people. This calls for more efficient processes and smart automation.

We can play an important role in that.

At trade shows, we’re often asked what exactly VHM does. That’s always a fun question. Because we usually don’t give the answer people expect. My favorite answer? We reduce the number of forklift movements.

That may sound a little strange, but it hits the nail on the head. Ultimately, it’s not about a machine. It’s about efficiency—about reducing the number of steps, minimizing internal transport, and getting more capacity out of the same operation.

Conversations like that often arise spontaneously. A visitor talks about a challenge at his company. We ask a few questions. And suddenly it turns out that a problem that had been taken for granted for years might not be so obvious after all.

A good example is Kartoffel Kuhn in Germany. We first met at a trade show. They have since invested in a Semi Automatic Turnr, which significantly reduces the number of forklift movements. This is a great example of how an initial conversation can ultimately lead to a long-term partnership.

In addition, trade shows are important to us because we work closely with local dealers. They know the market, speak the language, and understand what’s going on locally. We bring the technical expertise. It’s precisely that combination that works so well. Together, we form a strong team.

That is precisely why we continue to invest in international trade shows.

After all, the best ideas don’t come from sitting at a desk, but rather next to a sorting line, in a yard, or during a conversation on the trade show floor. And if that leads to a better solution, those thousands of kilometers are more than worth it.

Curious to see how we do that in practice? You’ll find us at the Aardappeldemodag, Weuthen Kartoffeltag, Potato Europe, Fruit Attraction, and Interpom in the coming weeks.

Johan Kikstra
Commercial Director, VHM Machinery