FEM's new partnership with Deutsche Messe means it will support CeMAT events, including the ones outside Europe.

The European Materials Handling Federation (FEM) has signed an agreement with Hannover-based expo organiser Deutsche Messe, making it a supporter of all CeMAT events.

Philippe Frantz, FEM's immediate past president, says CeMAT's standing as a world leader in intralogistics fairs and its successful international expansion policy "perfectly matches" FEM's supra-European vision.

"CeMAT plays a decisive role in the development of the European materials handling industry and the diffusion of its innovativeness. I am therefore delighted that FEM and CeMAT are deepening their collaboration," Frantz says.

Established in 1953, FEM represents European manufacturers of materials handling, lifting and storage equipment. Today, it promotes the interests of 13 national committees in the EU, Switzerland and Turkey, representing about 1,000 companies.

FEM's role includes representing and defending its members' interests in the EU decision-making process and promoting the European materials handling industry in Europe and internationally. FEM and US-based Materials Handling Industry Association (MHIA) have enjoyed a cooperation for many years while the FEM Product Group Industrial Trucks division has also developed a close relationship with its US, Japanese and Chinese counterparts.

FEM spokesman Olivier Janin tells Forkliftaction.com News that the international aspect of CeMAT aligns with FEM's aspirations. "In Hannover [during CeMAT], FEM, MHIA and VDMA (German materials handling federation) will organise an association cocktail happy-hour to foster informal exchanges between worldwide representatives of the materials handling and intralogistics industry."

Wolfgang Pech, CeMAT's senior vice president, says FEM is "the ideal partner" for the CeMAT Network. "This cooperation is a milestone for CeMAT's global strategy since we will be expanding our CeMAT in key growth markets and resolutely pursuing the Deutsche Messe offshore strategy."

Janin says that since FEM is now part of the CeMAT Network, it will support all CeMAT events, including the ones outside Europe. "This is simply a reflection of business reality. The vast majority of FEM companies are active globally and CeMAT provides a window to present and showcase the latest European materials handling equipment in growing markets."

"[Also], for FEM as a federation, it is important to promote the European industry beyond the European borders," Janin adds.
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Deutsche Messe will launch CeMAT South America from 4-7 April 2011 in São Paulo, Brazil. About 110 exhibitors - including market leaders like Cascade, Clark, Hyster, Jungheinrich, Kaup, Linde, Still, Toyota and Yale - have confirmed participation and 13,000 sqms (139,931 sqft) of exhibition space have been sold.

CeMAT in Hannover takes place once every three years. Deutsche Messe also organises CeMAT events in Shanghai, Mumbai, Russia and Brazil.

The CeMAT Network is a forum for intralogistics players to exchange information about market trends, workshops and congresses, and for networking. The network's partners include national and international associations and CeMAT exhibitors. Visit www.cemat-network.com for more information.