Manufacturing

Mirka at Drives & Controls 2026: A Closer Look

2026-05-19 · · 5 min read

Mirka brings dust-free sanding, robotic polishing, and abrasive technology to Drives & Controls 2026. Here's what to expect from the Finnish surface finishing specialist.

Surface finishing rarely gets top billing at engineering and manufacturing events. It sits at the end of the production process, easy to overlook until a part comes back with a defect or a worker files a health complaint about dust exposure. That is precisely why Mirka tends to attract serious attention from the people who actually manage production floors. The Finnish company, founded in 1943 and still family-owned, specialises in abrasives, power tools, and polishing compounds, and it is bringing that expertise to Drives & Controls 2026, taking place on 3-4 June at NEC Birmingham as part of Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week.

For manufacturing engineers, maintenance managers, and production leads walking the floor at this event, Mirka represents a category of exhibitor that is easy to underestimate on paper and hard to ignore in person.

What Mirka Is Bringing to the NEC Birmingham Floor

Mirka's exhibit centres on the technologies that set it apart structurally from most abrasive suppliers: it develops and manufactures abrasives, power tools, and polishing compounds under the same roof, in-house in Finland. That integration shapes every product it brings to market.

For the Smart Manufacturing Week audience, several products stand out as particularly relevant:

• Abranet®, the net abrasive that put dust-free sanding on the map for many industrial users. The open-net structure allows dust to pass through the abrasive rather than accumulating on the surface, dramatically reducing airborne particles during sanding operations.
• Mirka® Galaxy Abrasive, a newer addition featuring a clogging-resistant coating and a Multifit hole configuration designed for faster, longer sanding runs with minimal dust. For high-throughput production environments, the reduction in disc changes and cleanup time has a measurable effect on cycle times.
• Mirka® AIRP 300, a rotary polishing tool engineered specifically for robotic and automated applications. As more manufacturers integrate robotic arms into finishing lines, tooling compatibility with those systems becomes a procurement consideration rather than an afterthought.
• DEXOS® 1230 M AFC, a heavy-duty dust extractor with a 30-litre container, suited for industrial environments where dust volumes are substantial and downtime for emptying is costly.
• Industrial Automation Solutions, Mirka's service offering for manufacturers looking to automate manual sanding, polishing, and grinding tasks. This covers customisable robotic systems designed to increase throughput and improve consistency of finish.

The Problem Mirka Solves for Production and Maintenance Teams

Without purpose-built surface finishing technology, manufacturers face a familiar set of compounding problems. Abrasive discs clog prematurely, forcing frequent changes that interrupt workflow. Dust accumulates on surfaces and in the air, creating both quality defects and occupational health liabilities. Manual sanding produces inconsistent results that vary by operator and shift. And when finishing is treated as a bolt-on step rather than an engineered process, it becomes a source of rework rather than a quality checkpoint.

Mirka's approach to these problems is grounded in the specific physics of how abrasives interact with surfaces. Dust-free sanding technology, which the company has been developing since 1990, addresses the airborne particle problem at the source rather than managing it downstream with respiratory equipment alone. The net abrasive construction of products like Abranet® fundamentally changes how material is removed and where the resulting dust goes.

For manufacturers integrating robotics into their finishing processes, the gap between robot capability and finishing quality has historically been a barrier. Robotic finishing tools like the AIRP 300 are designed to close that gap, offering the precision and consistency that automated arms can deliver when paired with tooling built for the task.

Why Engineers and Procurement Specialists Should Make Time for Mirka

The visitor profile at Drives & Controls 2026 includes maintenance engineers, production managers, and procurement specialists with direct responsibility for both equipment specification and workplace compliance. Mirka's product range speaks to all three groups, but from different angles.

For maintenance engineers, the durability and serviceability of Mirka's power tool lineup, backed by a two-year warranty extendable to three years with registration, reduces the cost and frequency of tool replacement. The dedicated Power Tools Service platform provides repair documentation and workflow support through authorised centres.

For production managers focused on throughput and consistency, the case for engineered abrasives and automated finishing tools is straightforward: fewer changeovers, lower rework rates, and a finishing process that performs the same way regardless of which operator is running it.

For procurement leads, Mirka's position as a single source for abrasives, tools, and polishing compounds simplifies supplier relationships. Sourcing finishing consumables and equipment from a manufacturer that develops all three categories in the same facility carries a different quality assurance story than assembling a finishing line from multiple unrelated suppliers.

If your organisation is evaluating robotic integration for surface finishing, this is one of the few exhibitors at the event with tooling specifically designed for that application.

Eight Decades of Surface Finishing, Still Family-Owned

Mirka was established in 1943 in Ostrobothnia, Finland, and remains a family-owned business with between 1,000 and 5,000 employees across its global subsidiaries. Its headquarters remain in Jeppo, Finland, where research, development, and production continue to operate under the same roof.

The company's longevity in a technically demanding niche reflects a deliberate focus. Rather than broadening into adjacent categories, Mirka has consistently deepened its expertise in surface finishing, pioneering dust-free sanding technology in 1990 and more recently developing automation-compatible tooling as robotic finishing has moved from experimental to mainstream in automotive and industrial production.

On sustainability, Mirka reports having reduced its carbon emissions by approximately 50% in recent years through smart energy solutions and circular economy initiatives, a data point relevant to manufacturers under pressure to audit their supply chain's environmental footprint.

Visit Mirka at Smart Manufacturing Week 2026

Mirka's booth at Drives & Controls 2026 offers an opportunity to see their abrasive and tooling range in person and speak directly with their team about specific finishing challenges. Visitors can learn more about their product range at mirka.com. For full event information and exhibitor listings, visit the Drives & Controls 2026 page on TradeShowIntel.

Frequently asked questions

Is Mirka exhibiting at Drives & Controls 2026?

Yes, Mirka is exhibiting at Drives & Controls 2026, which takes place on 3-4 June 2026 at NEC Birmingham as part of Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week.

What industries does Mirka serve?

Mirka serves automotive, woodworking, construction, marine, composite surfaces, wind power, and industrial production sectors, among others.

Does Mirka offer robotic or automated finishing solutions?

Yes, Mirka offers industrial automation solutions for robotic sanding, polishing, and grinding, including the AIRP 300 rotary polishing tool designed specifically for robotic integration.

How long has Mirka been developing dust-free sanding technology?

Mirka has been developing dust-free sanding technology since 1990, with products like Abranet® at the core of that capability.

Where is Mirka headquartered and how large is the company?

Mirka is headquartered in Jeppo, Finland, where it was founded in 1943, and employs between 1,000 and 5,000 people across its global subsidiaries.