Guests from 32 nations at Europe’s leading trade fair

27.03.08

Excellent assessment by exhibitors and visitors / Great expectations: The grinding technology sector continues to boom

Once again there was a strong increase to 11,070 visitors (+ 19 %): The GrindTec 2008 exceeded the great expectations in every way. After the 6th edition of this event had already grown considerably in the area covered and with regard to the amount of companies participating, the professional visitors came from all over the world to Augsburg from 12th to 15th March 2008, in order to find information about the innovations and the newest trends in grinding technology. The 350 participating companies were highly satisfied with the results achieved, and so were the organisers, the AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen and the sponsors, FDPW Trade Association of German Precision Tool Grinders.

Range of exhibits extended, visitors more international

In comparison to the previous event, considerably more visitors came, namely 11,070 (+ 19 %), of whom 27 % came from foreign countries. Overall a total of 32 nations were registered in the course of the representative visitors’ survey (29 in 2006). There were also clear trends to be recognised with the exhibits: Never before had so many (400) and such heavy (up to 21 tonnes) machines been exhibited, never before had the exhibits, which are auxiliary to basic grinding technology, been so highly represented, such as extractors, coolants and lubricants, chucks, measuring technology or cleaning. Today the GrindTec offers the complete periphery, which is required by the tool manufacturer.

Visitors: GrindTec international leading event for our sector  

The success of the participating companies results directly from the very high professional quality and decision-making competence of the visitors: 65 % of them are either sole decision-makers or participate in decision-making, 17 % are involved in an advisory capacity. The range of exhibits at the GrindTec 08 received the best evaluation so far with 85 % (82 % in 2006) of the visitors giving the marks “very good” and “good”, only 3 % were “less satisfied”. These were the results of the representative survey through the Hamburg Institute for Trade Fair and Congress Consultancy Herbert Dirr. For more and more of the visitors the GrindTec is sufficient as the only trade fair for the sector, which they visit: 40 % (34 % in 2006) no longer visit any other trade fair on this topic. And this GrindTec 08 has certainly achieved the top position: for 70 % of the visitors (54 % in 2006) the GrindTec is the worldwide leading forum for this sector. No wonder, when you consider that 90 % (83 % in 2006) are convinced that they see all the newest technology in Augsburg.

Exhibitors: Top results and first-class perspectives for this sector 

Satisfied exhibitors are the most important criteria for the evaluation of the success of a trade fair. And the companies participating at the GrindTec were definitely satisfied with the results of their participation. According to Dirr 76 % (79 % in 2006) of the exhibitors evaluated the result of their participation as “very good” or “good”, 19 % with “satisfactory”. 83 % of them want to be present at the GrindTec 2010 (83 % in 2006), 15 % cannot answer this question just yet (14 % in 2006). Only 2 % (1 % in 2006) answered that they do not want to participate at the following GrindTec. There are also very good evaluations for the amount of contacts to potential customers: 39 % estimate these as “very favourable”, 55 % as “favourable”. Only 3 % assessed this criterion as “unfavourable”.

Great expectations: No weakening of the current boom in sight

Everything’s wonderful: 71 % of the visitors perceive a “strong” or “slight” tendency for the current boom of this sector to rise. Only 3.6 % are expecting a weakening of the boom, and even here, only in the form of a “slight weakening”. The exhibitors have the same perception: 68 % evaluate the situation in the sector as “very favourable” or “favourable”, as opposed to only 49 % two years ago. Only one percent assesses the situation of the sector as “unfavourable” – just like in 2006.

Statements on the GrindTec 2008

Jürgen Baldus - President FDPW German Trade Association of Precision Tool Grinders 

“Our expectations of the GrindTec 2008 were admittedly very high. And they were even exceeded. Among both exhibitors and visitors we have only registered enthusiastic acclaim. This has made me and my FDPW team particularly happy, particularly because this was the first GrindTec for which we as the new committee were responsible. And just in the first three days we were able to welcome more than 20 new members to the FDPW, including sustaining members.

Peter Lütjens, General Manager Marketing, Körber Schleifring Group

“We are appearing at the GrindTec for the first time with a group stand and with a correspondingly large range of exhibits. We have discovered however, that the visitors also expect exhibits over and above basic tool grinding, namely cylindrical, surface and profile grinding. Many of the visitors at our stand come from the field of machine building, tool making and mould construction, and they come with very precise inquiries. In the first 3 days we have already sold about 30 machines. The high expectations, which we held of the GrindTec, have not been disappointed.”

Lothar Reinhardt, Department Manager Worldwide Sales, Vollmer Werke, Germany

“With our new structure as Vollmer / Loroch we now cover a broader spectrum of grinding technology. We are more than satisfied with the sales so far. Our worldwide novelty QXD 200, for example, has been excellently received here, just in the first three days we have booked enough orders for the whole year 2008.”

Alberto Tacchella, President of the Italian Association UCIMU and Managing Director of Messrs. Tacchella, exhibitor 

“The situation here in Augsburg is perfect for our companies coming from Italy, and this is equally valid for companies from Germany, Switzerland and Austria, which are the main markets of the Italian manufacturers. It is hard to believe how the trade fair has grown. I am very optimistic that future exhibitions will be equally successful. The UCIMU is most impressed by the presence of so many machine builders. The organisation is excellent. As the President of the UCIMU I confirm that we support the participation of Italian companies as the GrindTec, but the best sales promotion for these trade fairs is no doubt supplied by the exhibitors, who are without exception satisfied with their participation.”

Roberto Mancina, President CAFRO, Italy

“As manufacturers of diamond grinding discs we have a very high opinion of the GrindTec. It brings us the same turnover as the EMO but only costs us half as much. We were surprised by the amount of highly professional visitors coming from France and Italy, however, we would have hoped for more visitors from the Eastern European countries and Scandinavia. But most astonishing of all: We even had good visitors at our stand coming from Israel.”

Heiko Könicke, Managing Director of the organisers of the GrindTec AFAG Messen und Ausstellungen GmbH

“The targets that we had set ourselves together with our partners have all been reached: an increase in the amount of visitors, further improvement of the quality of information, an increase in the internationality factor and the promotion of vocational training for newcomers to the trade. With the GrindTec 08 we have finally arrived at the top in Europe, if not in the whole world – at least, that is how the visitors see it. For 70 % the GrindTec is the worldwide leading forum for this sector.”

Next dates:

GrindTec 2010:  17th – 20th March 2010 (Wednesday to Saturday)

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