 EP's Sangtian notices "more auto systems" at CeMAT Asia 2010. |
The combined PTC Asia and CeMAT Asia 2010 may have seen a 10% increase in overseas visitors at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre last week, but some forklift exhibitors have noticed a smaller international attendance at the materials handling show.
PTC Asia, the expo for international power transmission and fluid power, and CeMAT, the materials handling show, were concurrently held from 25-28 October. Organisers say over 40,000 visitors from 80 countries came to view the products and services of 1,609 exhibitors over a total display area of 95,000 sqm (1,022,572 sqft).
CeMAT Asia had 402 exhibitors, occupying 26,000 sqm (279,862 sqft) - 24% more than last year's but no separate visitor number for the show is available (Forkliftaction.com News #435). Some big firms were reportedly missing in this year's expo while other leading companies like Linde, Crown, Tailift and Heli were present.
Sang Tian, vice president of Hangzhou-based manufacturer EP Equipment, says she did not see many new forklift manufacturers or new forklift models exhibited "but more auto systems" at this year's CeMAT.
Show organisers doubled the display space for AGVs and auto-ID systems this year. The AGV pavilion featured the show's inaugural display of an automated guided vehicle.
Sang says EP showcased its electric forklift range, power steering system, AC control system and AC tow tractor.
Barry Su, Zhejiang Maximal Forklift Co Ltd's overseas department general manager, noticed fewer European and North American visitors compared to the previous year's show, but he did see a boost in South American presence.
He also notes the absence of Toyota, Komatsu and Hangcha.
Angela Gong, sales manager for Hangzhou Zheli Forklift Group Co Ltd, which manufactures the UN forklift brand agrees with Su. "There seems to be a growth in visitors from South America, Middle East and India. Our main aim of participating was to raise awareness of our brand and products. We are happy we exhibited."
Forkliftaction.com sales executive Patrick Chin was also at CeMAT Asia. "I have spoken to many exhibitors and they think this show is more like a local show, although it is supposedly an international show. They expected more overseas visitors."
At the time of publishing this article, no breakdown of show visitors from different world regions was available.
The show's organisers were Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd, China Hydraulics Pneumatics & Seals Association, China General Machine Components Industry Association, China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing and Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society.
The next CeMAT Asia will take place in Shanghai from 24-27 October 2011.
Separately, the European Materials Handling Federation (FEM) and Hannover-based Deutsche Messe have signed a co-operation agreement at the FEM General Meeting and FEM Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. FEM is now a part of the CeMAT Network, making it a supporter of all CeMAT events.
CeMAT senior vice president Wolfgang Pech says FEM is the ideal partner for the CeMAT Network.
"This co-operation is a milestone for CeMAT's global strategy since, apart from the world's flagship show for intralogistics, CeMAT in Hannover, we will also be expanding our CeMAT in key growth markets and resolutely pursuing the Deutsche Messe offshore strategy."
Deutsche Messe organises CeMAT events in Hannover, Shanghai, Mumbai, Russia and Brazil.