The inaugural bC India opened its doors to to thousands of expo visitors last week.

Over 22,000 people from 69 countries descended on the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai from 8 to 11 February to attend the debut International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles (bC India). The show was jointly organised by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Messe München International (MMI).

Thomas Löffler, CEO of show organiser bC Expo and deputy CEO of MMI, says the decision to launch bC India "came at the right time at the right place". "The number of exhibitors as well as the feedback from all participants [show] that bC India truly is a new dimension for the construction industry."

AEM president Dennis Slater says the overall numbers for the show were outstanding. "I am convinced that bC India will indeed play a very important role in the Indian market in the near future."

José Luis del Prim, CEO of Enarco and president of the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE), praises the facilities where the exhibition was held. "The organisation has been perfect and we [enjoyed] a first-class exhibition ... We will come back."

Thomas Schulz, president of construction at Sandvik, says his company sold over 200 units of equipment at the show. "[It] is not only an image branding show but also a selling show."

Milind M Shahane, CEO of Indian forklift manufacturer Voltas, says his company received "a lot of new enquiries from new customers". Voltas used bC India to showcase its new products.

Antoine Chazelle, vice president of sales for the South Asian subsidiary of the French telehandler maker Manitou, says the company decided immediately to participate in the trade show when they heard about it. "BC India is a very good location where everybody gathers. People want to come here ... we definitely don't regret [exhibiting]."

Liang Weisen, managing director of Chinese forklift and construction equipment maker Liugong, says he was impressed by the quality of Indian and overseas visitors and the strong participation of the local and international companies.

Kristian Küppers, Company spokesman for Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH, says the show met his expectations. "We received orders for all Liebherr products which were presented at the exhibition. In addition, we were able to sign contracts; for example, in the maritime cranes sector."

Responding to demand from exhibitors leading up to the show, the exhibition space for bC India was extended to a total of about 88,000 sqm. In total, 508 exhibitors from over 30 countries showcased their latest products and innovations in machinery and equipment for construction, mining and building materials.

Organisers say the show is the most international event in India's construction exhibition sector, with 70% of the registered exhibitors headquartered overseas. Nine national pavilions, from Australia, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain and the UK, gave the trade fair an international character.