Kennametal Inc. will debut its "Next Level Shop" immersive exhibit at IMTS 2026 in Chicago from September 14-19.. Located at McCormick Place, the installation features a live custom motorcycle build and demonstrations of advanced machining technologies.
The Indian Sport Chief and the 5-axis CNC Spectacle
The centerpiece of the exhibit is the live customization of an Indian Sport Chief motorcycle, which serves as a high-visibility demonstration of precision engineering. According to the announcement, motorsports legend Carey Hart, acting as a WIDIA brand ambassador, will collaborate with Satya Kraus, the CEO and creative engineer of KRAUS MOTO, to machine custom parts using a 5-axis CNC machine. To finalize the build, Taylor Schultz of Schultz Designz will apply a custom paint scheme to the vehicle.
This approach transforms the traditional trade show display into a performance piece. By utilizing Kennametal and WIDIA tooling in a real-time build, the company aims to demonstrate the practical application of its materials science to a live audience. The completed Indian Sport Chief will eventually be awarded to one IMTS attendee through an exclusive giveaway.
Moving Beyond Metal Mania to a $2 Billion Vision
The Next Level Shop is an evolution of the "Metal Mania" experience Kennametal Inc. presented two years prior. As the report states, the company has partnered with EWI Worldwide to design a space that mimics a contemporary machine shop rather than a corporate booth. This shift reflects a broader industrial trend where B2B companies move away from static displays toward "experiential marketing" to capture the attention of engineers and procurement officers.
This strategic investment comes as Kennametal Inc. continues to scale its global footprint, reporting approximately 8,100 employees across nearly 100 countries. With $2 billion in revenues generated in fiscal 2025, the company is leveraging its financial strength to position itself not just as a tool provider, but as a consultant for productivity in sectors like aerospace, defense, and power generation.
Integrating CAM and Swiss Machining into the Digital Ecosystem
Beyond the spectacle of the motorcycle, Kennametal Inc. is using the Chicago event to showcase a sophisticated digital manufacturing ecosystem. The exhibit will highlight advancements in Swiss machining, holemaking, and turning, while emphasizing the integration of Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. The goal is to demonstrate how tooling data and software partnerships can streamline programming and optimize overall shop floor performance.
By bringing together machine tool builders and manufacturing experts at Booth No. 431800, Kennametal Inc. is attempting to solve complex production challenges in real-time. This focus on connectivity suggests that the company views the future of machining as a hybrid of physical tooling excellence and digital optimization , targeting high-precision industries such as medical device manufacturing and transportation.
Who will win the one-of-a-kind motorcycle giveaway?
While the announcement provides a clear roadmap for the exhibit's attractions, several specifics remain unverified.. The report does not detail the exact criteria or entry process for the Indian Sport Chief giveaway, nor does it name the specific software partners that comprise the "expanding digital manufacturing ecosystem." Additionally, while the company mentions addressing "real-world production challenges," it remains to be seen which specific industry pain points will be the primary focus of the live engineering consultations.
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