 |
 |
|
A wider world of industrial automationThe recent acquisition of Interkama, the trade fair for process automation, completes a full line-up of automation displays at the next Hannover Fair (19-24 April 2004) The new combination of Intermaka+ and the 'home-grown' trade show Factory Automation, which focuses on automated systems for the production of goods, means that for the first time the complete spectrum of industrial automation will be featured simultaneously. The launch of this concept, setting the stage for this horizontally-integrated flagship industrial automation fair, was initially set for 2005 but now has the green light for 2004. The line-up also includes Digital Factory, a new platform for software and IT applications in industrial firms, as well as the international flagship trade shows Energy, Subcontracting, SurfaceTechnology plus Powder Coating Europe, MicroTechnology and Research & Technology. For Sepp D Heckmann, Director of organiser Deutsche Messe, robotics is a good example of the benefits that this integral concept brings: "Overseas visitors don't come all this way just to see robotics. They want to see the complete automation picture, how all the different parts fit together - that's the real added value for them. By opposing the fragmentation of individual trade fairs with its potentially negative impact on entire industries, two of the top international trade fair companies have chosen to act responsibly for the benefit of the economy at large. We are also convinced that our joint initiative has made a major contribution to bolstering Germany's status as a prime location for trade fairs." Highly regardedAccording to a recently published survey carried out by the independent Hamburg-based Consumer Research Association (GfK), the Hannover Fair is highly regarded by decision-makers in Germany and all over the world, and is seen as the international platform for presenting the complete spectrum of interdependent technologies and applications that make up industrial automation. For some 80% of those taking part in the study from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, Factory Automation is the Number One international trade show in its field. Given the present depressed state of the economy, which is also a real challenge for the exhibition business, this is very good news indeed, and it has encouraged Deutsche Messe AG in its plans to press ahead with the new horizontal display concept in 2004, when the complete spectrum of industrial automation technologies will be presented under one roof. The range of exhibits at Interkama+ covers the whole spectrum of process automation: automation and IT solutions, field devices and components, control and regulatory systems, plus engineering, maintenance and services. The visitor potential for Interkama+ alone is estimated at around 40,000 industry professionals from all over the world, representing 16 different industries that use process automation. Principal among these are the chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry and the petrochemical industry. An equally promising opportunity exists in the form of the worldwide Interkama joint ventures agreed upon. A cornerstone in this agreement is the cooperation between Deutsche Messe AG and Messe Düsseldorf on all Interkama fairs throughout the world. The presence in these markets will span not only the field of process automation but also production automation. Interkama China, which enjoyed a highly successful launch in Shanghai, will thus continue to be organised as a joint project in future. Other exciting opportunities on the horizon take the form of further events planned in Russia and the Czech Republic where Messe Düsseldorf, thanks to its strong position as Deutsche Messe AG's partner, will open up a share of the market. The same applies to India. The Hanover Fair in turn has a strong base in Turkey, which will help Messe Düsseldorf establish a foothold there. Further venues are under consideration but have not yet been finalised.
|
Home Magazine Directory Show Reviews Links Media Guide
© Copyright 2004 Magpye Publishing Ltd.