Theme for Elmia Subcontractor 2026: Resilience powered by Industry

Less than eight months remain until the doors open to Northern Europe’s leading subcontracting trade fair, Elmia Subcontractor, on November 10–12. This year’s theme, Resilience powered by Industry, highlights the crucial role of industry in building resilience in a time marked by rapid change and new conditions.

For more than 50 years, Elmia Subcontractor has been a key meeting place for the manufacturing industry. Thousands of visitors and exhibitors gather here to do business, share knowledge, and explore the latest developments in the sector.

“Resilience powered by industry”

This year’s theme reflects a reality where industry faces major challenges—but also significant opportunities. It is about the ability to adapt, transform, and continue to evolve.

“Manufacturing is one of the strongest driving forces we have for creating stability and development in society. With this year’s theme, we want to highlight the strength and innovative capacity within the industry—and how it contributes to building a more resilient society,” says Annika Cederfeldt, Business Manager for Elmia Subcontractor.

In a time of geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological shifts, and increasing sustainability demands, the manufacturing industry’s ability to adapt and find new solutions is crucial. At Elmia Subcontractor, stakeholders from across the entire value chain come together to explore how the industry of the future can take shape.

Resilience as a strategic issue

The issue of resilience has also taken on an increasingly central role in public debate, particularly in relation to supply capability and industrial capacity. The Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF) brings together companies with solutions that protect and defend societies.

“Ultimately, resilience is about ensuring that we have an industry capable of delivering—even in times of disruption and uncertainty. A strong and competitive industrial base is essential, both for our economy and our security. Here, the subcontractor segment plays a key role,” says Robert Limmergård, Secretary General of SOFF.

The innovative power of subcontractors

Recent years have shown how quickly technological development can accelerate when the needs of the defence industry increase. Many of these innovations are driven by subcontractors—specialized companies with high flexibility and strong innovative capacity. As investments grow, ripple effects are created throughout the industry, where new materials, advanced technologies, and smart production methods are developed at a rapid pace—a development that clearly reflects this year’s theme, Resilience Powered by Industry.

At Elmia Subcontractor, this is highlighted as part of the broader narrative of resilience. It is not about placing the defence industry in focus, but about demonstrating how subcontractors—through their innovation and flexibility—play a crucial role when technology takes new leaps.

Resilience through collaboration and innovation

Resilience is not only about withstanding change—it is about evolving through it. This happens through innovation, skills development, and strong collaborations between companies, suppliers, and educational institutions.

“We see time and again how the manufacturing industry demonstrates its ability to adapt and find new ways forward. Elmia Subcontractor is a place where these forces meet—where ideas turn into collaborations and where innovations take shape,” says Annika Cederfeldt.

During the fair, the theme will be highlighted through various program elements, stages, and meeting places where visitors and exhibitors can gain insights into trends and concrete solutions related to the transformation of the industry.

Robert Limmergård, Secretary General of the Swedish Security and Defence Industry Association (SOFF), will deliver the opening keynote on the main stage on the first day of the fair, Tuesday, November 10.

Elmia Subcontractor is held annually and brings together around 950 exhibitors and nearly 11,000 visitors over three knowledge-intensive days at Elmia in Jönköping. The fair will take place on November 10–12, 2026. For more information, please visit www.elmia.se/subcontractor