Strong international exhibitor profile and increased visitor attendance strengthens trade exhibition’s relevance in Southeast Asia
The 10th edition of wire Southeast Asia and the 9th edition of Tube Southeast ASIA, two foremost specialist events for Thailand and the region’s wire, cable, tube and pipe industries, closed its doors on 19 Sept with resounding success at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). Organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia, more than 380 international exhibitors from 30 countries showcased an impressive array of innovations and trends on high-performance machinery and equipment, manufacturing and processing technologies as well as materials and accessories. Over 6,800 visitors from 55 countries attended wire and Tube Southeast Asia over the three days, a 28 per cent increase from the previous edition in 2011. 38 per cent of these visitors came from outside Thailand, reinforcing the importance and regional appeal of the trade exhibitions in Southeast Asia. A majority of these overseas visitors came from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Southeast Asia is increasingly becoming a manufacturing and industrial hub for many global companies seeking to locate and keep in touch with available business opportunities. Dr. Gerhard Bartz, president, VDKM (German Wire and Cable Machine Manu-facturers Association), said, “The ASEAN region remains an attractive destination for foreign investments. Given its population of some 600 million people and with the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015, this region will continue to grow in importance. The market in Thailand is very necessary and relevant to companies that are involved in wire and cable productions as these components have wide applications in industries such as automotive, electrical and electronics as well as infrastructure development.”
Echoing this sentiment was President of AWCMA (Austrian Wire & Cable Machinery Manufacturers Asso-ciation), Dr Kurt Eder, who said that “the 10th edition of wire Southeast Asia 2013 remains a true gateway to the entire region. Twelve leading Austrian companies have taken this opportunity to connect with the regional buyers and a majority of these companies are happy with their participation.”
The trade floor was abuzz as visiting delegations from Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam fuelled fruitful discussions and exchanged business opportunities over three days. More than 60 groups from industrial parks in Thailand attended wire and Tube Southeast Asia. Mr. Steve Rika, chairman, International Wire Machinery Association, also added that “IWMA considers wire Southeast Asia to be an important trade exhibition for Southeast Asia as it offers a platform to connect international industry leaders with key decision makers from this region.”
International companies made up 97 per cent of the exhibitor profile with representation from eight national pavilions and country groups including Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan and USA. Against this dynamic backdrop, Mr. Gernot Ringling, managing director, Messe Düsseldorf Asia, commented that “we are pleased with the double digit growth in terms of quality visitor turnout and the internationality of exhibiting companies on the trade floor. The focus of the global economy is set increasingly on Southeast Asia and its surrounding regions, signaling that trade fairs continue to fulfill the industries’ needs as an international business conduit into the region.”
Integrating Innovative Technologies and Knowledge-based Exchange
wire and Tube Southeast ASIA 2013 brought together some of the world’s leading brand names from the wire, cable, tube and pipe sectors showcasing innovations and trends on high-performing machinery and equipment, manufacturing and processing technologies, as well as materials and accessories. The two trade fairs also focused on solutions that enhance productivity and operational efficiency for the main application markets, such as automotive, building and construction, electricity, energy and telecommunications. Mr. Alexander Saveliev, Head, International Sales Department, and Mr. Alexander Dobrovolskiy, Adviser to the General Director for VNIIMETMASH, commented that “there is plenty of room for development in the Asian region and we have concluded our participation at Tube Southeast Asia with plenty of research and developmental ideas. We are a scientific institution that produces high technology products with cutting edge technologies and we have seen many emerging trends in the global tube industry at this trade exhibition.”
Reflecting on the effectiveness of this knowledge-based sharing, Mr. Klaus Eichelmann, managing director, Reber Systematic GmbH, said, “We are extremely impressed with the quality of visitors attending this year’s edition of wire and Tube Southeast Asia. We felt that the technical seminars, which had been organised as a prelude to the trade exhibition, had created a ripple effect during the trade days. We have secured over 15 projects as a result of this combined synergy and are very happy with the results.”
Mr. Teodoro G David III, a satisfied visitor from Synthium Trade Corporation, Philippines, commented on his third visit to the trade exhibition: “The purpose of my visit is to network with some key manufacturers and suppliers. In comparison to the previous editions, this year’s exhibitions have more exhibiting companies and visibility and I also see more visitors.” Mr. Teodoro is also one of the three lucky-draw winners of the Samsung Galaxy S4, which was conducted for visitors who pre-registered to attend wire and Tube Southeast Asia via the trade exhibitions’ websites.
Commenting on the success of wire and Tube Southeast Asia, Mr. Ringling said, “We are pleased to have facilitated an effective platform for local and overseas visitors and exhibitors looking to do business in Thailand and to tap into the emerging economies in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is a dynamic and fast-expanding region and we are happy that wire and Tube Southeast Asia provides that global networking and business platform for market leaders to connect commercially whilst sharing useful insights on the latest technologies and innovations.”
In addition to new wire and cable products, the impressive list of exhibitors extended from raw material producers to suppliers, processors and technology manufacturers through to service providers for the wire, cable, tube and pipe industries making it a truly global networking and business platform. Speaking of their first-time participation in the trade exhibition, Mr. Vu, Huy Truong, business development manager, Petrovietnam Steel Pipe JSC, said, “We are here to increase awareness of our products and services in Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions. We believe that Southeast Asia is at the heart of the economic boom in the world and participating in this trade exhibition provides a window on the region’s market as we move forward in our business.”
wire and Tube Southeast Asia will return in two years in September 2015 at Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre with an even bigger and better showcase of the best technologies, innovations and solutions for the thriving wire, cable, tube and pipe sectors in Bangkok, Thailand.
