After the EuroBLECH record exhibition in 2008 the sheet metal working industry has had to face difficult times. It was only in the months ahead of EuroBLECH 2010 that the industry showed signs of recovery and the economic outlook was cautiously optimistic again. In this period, EuroBLECH 2010, as the world’s leading exhibition for sheet metal working was more than ever the focus of the industry; and expectations, in particular, of the exhibiting companies were high. During EuroBLECH 2010 it became clear that the industry had managed the crisis. Companies reported large increases in business activities and sales, and industry leaders even announced that it was their best exhibition ever.
In the exhibition survey which has now been completed, EuroBLECH 2010 has, once again, received excellent ratings by exhibitors as well as from visitors. EuroBLECH is an officially controlled trade exhibition, audited by FKM, Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics. The analysis of the 2010 exhibition shows that alongside technological expertise, an increase in export activities is seen as a key factor for success by companies in the sheet metal working sector.
EuroBLECH 2010 – a global meeting point
With 1,455 exhibitors from 43 countries, 61,500 visitors from 98 countries and a net exhibition space of 78,600 m2, EuroBLECH 2010 could not quite match the figures of the 2008 show. Compared with this record exhibition, the exhibitor numbers dropped by 4% and the visitor numbers by 11%. However, EuroBLECH 2010 did set some important records: The show was more international than ever.
Forty six per cent of the exhibitors and 38% of the visitors came from outside Germany. The overall decrease in visitor numbers since the 2008 exhibition was therefore mainly due to German visitors, whereas the visitor numbers from Asia, North America and the Middle East have grown. The 2010 event welcomed considerably more visitors from the USA, India, Israel, Australia, China, Brazil, Canada, Japan and the United Arabic Emirates. However, top visitor countries were once again European countries: Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.
As for the top exhibitor countries, after Germany and Italy, Turkey had for the first time become the third biggest exhibitor country, followed by Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and China.
Situation of the sheet metal working industry
Overall, exhibitors still rated the economic situation of the industry as critical. However, German companies assessed the current business climate as much more favourable than exhibitors from outside Germany: While more than half of the German exhibitors rated the economic situation as positive, only a quarter of the foreign exhibitors evaluated the situation as favourable.
For 88% of all exhibitors, the main reason for exhibiting at EuroBLECH 2010 was to approach new markets. The member states of the European Union including Germany are still the main target markets, followed by the other European countries. But, more and more, Asia, the Americas and other regions of the world are considered as potential export markets. When asked about important future markets, Germany was ranked first, followed by China, India, Russia and the USA.
Other important aims of exhibiting were attracting new customers, product presentation and customer care.
Within the individual exhibition categories, there were only marginal shifts in exhibitor numbers as well as visitor interests compared with the previous exhibition. Forming technology; sheet metal, semi-finished and finished products; separation technology; machine elements; flexible sheet metal working; tool/die technology and handling technology remained the main categories of interest at EuroBLECH 2010.
Visitor profile
Exhibitors again praised the event for the high quality and number of visitors, expert talks and contact with potential customers at their stands. The percentage of trade visitors was 99%; and 83% of all visitors had decision-making capacity. These figures equal the percentages of the 2008 show.
EuroBLECH 2010 showed an above average increase in visitors with concrete investment plans; 48% of all visitors, and 60% of foreign visitors, came to Hanover with the definite intention of buying.
In terms of the economic sectors the visitors came from there was a slight shift: While fewer visitors were active in the industry, there were more visitors from trade and workshops. In terms of company size, the majority of visitors were employed in companies with 10-99 employees (37%). A third represented companies with 100-500 employees; 19% were employed in larger companies with more than 500 employees; and 12% came from small companies with less than 9 employees. The main areas of responsibility of visitors were fabrication/production, management, R&D and construction.
The majority of visitors came from engineering, steel and aluminium construction and sheet metal and products sectors, the automotive industry and its suppliers, the electrical industry as well as iron and steel production.
According to the survey, visitors mainly expected information about technical innovations, a general overview of what is available and to find new products for potential use. At the exhibition stands visitors were primarily looking for personal consultations and live machine demonstrations.
EuroBLECH 2010 - definitely worthwhile
Altogether, visitors were extremely positive about EuroBLECH 2010 and rated the show as 1.9* (2008: 1.8). Ninety eight per cent of the visitors rated the show as definitely worthwhile and 93% stated they would recommend the exhibition to their colleagues.
Exhibitors were also very satisfied with the outcome of the exhibition and awarded EuroBLECH 2010 an overall mark of 2.1* (2008: 2.1). It is no wonder that almost three quarters of exhibitors had already indicated on site that they intended to exhibit again at the next exhibition. EuroBLECH 2012 will take place from 23 - 27 October 2012 in Hanover, Germany.
* On a scale from 1=very good to 5=poor
Editorial note: High resolution photo material can be downloaded at
www.euroblech.com/... or requested by email at press@mackbrooks.co.uk
In the exhibition survey which has now been completed, EuroBLECH 2010 has, once again, received excellent ratings by exhibitors as well as from visitors. EuroBLECH is an officially controlled trade exhibition, audited by FKM, Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics. The analysis of the 2010 exhibition shows that alongside technological expertise, an increase in export activities is seen as a key factor for success by companies in the sheet metal working sector.
EuroBLECH 2010 – a global meeting point
With 1,455 exhibitors from 43 countries, 61,500 visitors from 98 countries and a net exhibition space of 78,600 m2, EuroBLECH 2010 could not quite match the figures of the 2008 show. Compared with this record exhibition, the exhibitor numbers dropped by 4% and the visitor numbers by 11%. However, EuroBLECH 2010 did set some important records: The show was more international than ever.
Forty six per cent of the exhibitors and 38% of the visitors came from outside Germany. The overall decrease in visitor numbers since the 2008 exhibition was therefore mainly due to German visitors, whereas the visitor numbers from Asia, North America and the Middle East have grown. The 2010 event welcomed considerably more visitors from the USA, India, Israel, Australia, China, Brazil, Canada, Japan and the United Arabic Emirates. However, top visitor countries were once again European countries: Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy.
As for the top exhibitor countries, after Germany and Italy, Turkey had for the first time become the third biggest exhibitor country, followed by Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and China.
Situation of the sheet metal working industry
Overall, exhibitors still rated the economic situation of the industry as critical. However, German companies assessed the current business climate as much more favourable than exhibitors from outside Germany: While more than half of the German exhibitors rated the economic situation as positive, only a quarter of the foreign exhibitors evaluated the situation as favourable.
For 88% of all exhibitors, the main reason for exhibiting at EuroBLECH 2010 was to approach new markets. The member states of the European Union including Germany are still the main target markets, followed by the other European countries. But, more and more, Asia, the Americas and other regions of the world are considered as potential export markets. When asked about important future markets, Germany was ranked first, followed by China, India, Russia and the USA.
Other important aims of exhibiting were attracting new customers, product presentation and customer care.
Within the individual exhibition categories, there were only marginal shifts in exhibitor numbers as well as visitor interests compared with the previous exhibition. Forming technology; sheet metal, semi-finished and finished products; separation technology; machine elements; flexible sheet metal working; tool/die technology and handling technology remained the main categories of interest at EuroBLECH 2010.
Visitor profile
Exhibitors again praised the event for the high quality and number of visitors, expert talks and contact with potential customers at their stands. The percentage of trade visitors was 99%; and 83% of all visitors had decision-making capacity. These figures equal the percentages of the 2008 show.
EuroBLECH 2010 showed an above average increase in visitors with concrete investment plans; 48% of all visitors, and 60% of foreign visitors, came to Hanover with the definite intention of buying.
In terms of the economic sectors the visitors came from there was a slight shift: While fewer visitors were active in the industry, there were more visitors from trade and workshops. In terms of company size, the majority of visitors were employed in companies with 10-99 employees (37%). A third represented companies with 100-500 employees; 19% were employed in larger companies with more than 500 employees; and 12% came from small companies with less than 9 employees. The main areas of responsibility of visitors were fabrication/production, management, R&D and construction.
The majority of visitors came from engineering, steel and aluminium construction and sheet metal and products sectors, the automotive industry and its suppliers, the electrical industry as well as iron and steel production.
According to the survey, visitors mainly expected information about technical innovations, a general overview of what is available and to find new products for potential use. At the exhibition stands visitors were primarily looking for personal consultations and live machine demonstrations.
EuroBLECH 2010 - definitely worthwhile
Altogether, visitors were extremely positive about EuroBLECH 2010 and rated the show as 1.9* (2008: 1.8). Ninety eight per cent of the visitors rated the show as definitely worthwhile and 93% stated they would recommend the exhibition to their colleagues.
Exhibitors were also very satisfied with the outcome of the exhibition and awarded EuroBLECH 2010 an overall mark of 2.1* (2008: 2.1). It is no wonder that almost three quarters of exhibitors had already indicated on site that they intended to exhibit again at the next exhibition. EuroBLECH 2012 will take place from 23 - 27 October 2012 in Hanover, Germany.
* On a scale from 1=very good to 5=poor
Editorial note: High resolution photo material can be downloaded at
www.euroblech.com/... or requested by email at press@mackbrooks.co.uk
