A total of 38,408 visitors from 74 countries and regions visited the Shanghai New International Expo Centre for CeMAT Asia 2006 and PTC Asia last week.

The centre's pavilions housed CeMAT exhibitors from 21 countries, including Germany, the USA, Britain, Italy, Spain, France, Korea and Japan. The 352 exhibitors occupied 20,100 square metres of exhibition space, a 28 per cent in exhibitors and an eight per cent increase in space, compared with 2005.

Leading forklift manufacturers, like Linde, Toyota, Jungheinrich, Komatsu, BT, Still, OM, Hyundai, and crane manufacturers Demag, Kone, Kito and Abus exhibited. Forklift attachment makers Cascade, Kaup and Bolzoni Auramo were present.

The world's leading forklift manufacturer, Toyota, showcased its new 8 Series forklifts, powered by internal combustion engines. China's leading manufacturers, Anhui Heli and Hangzhou Forklift, exhibited alongside their international counterparts.

Jungheinrich Lift Truck (Shanghai) Co Ltd managing director Jian Chen said the trade show reminded him of his experience in Hannover.

"The atmosphere was very cheerful and people were packed everywhere. Visitors asked us very professional questions. All these remind me of the experience in Hannover. Next year, we will surely come back, with a better image and a bigger booth."

The show was jointly organised by Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover Fairs China Ltd, the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, and the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society.

Chinese media, like China Central Television, Shanghai Television, the China Daily, the Economic Daily, and the China Business Times, covered the exhibition.

Read Forkliftaction.com sales manager Rodger Lamb's observations of Shanghai and CeMAT Asia.