International metalworking show Germany: Metav 2016 celebrates strong attendance

Smiling faces all around: At the close of the 19th international exhibition for metalworking technologies Metav 2016 in Düsseldorf, Germany (23 - 27 February 2016), exhibitors, visitors and organisers were unanimous in their praise of the event.

Strong attendance underscores Metav's role as one of the industry's leading trade shows. According to organiser VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association), the show attracted around 35,000 visitors, 11% more than in 2014.

When asked about the expected visitor numbers in December, VDW's Director Exhibitions Christoph Miller said he was 100% convinced that visitor numbers will massively increase at this year's event." He turned out to be right. After a decline in attendance in 2012 and 2014 (Metav 2010 attracted 45,000 visitors, 2012: 40,000, 2014: 31,000), Metav is back on the right track. And the atmosphere was really good.

Crowded halls, high-quality exhibitors from all relevant areas of the metalworking industry and an interesting supporting program left smiling faces all around.

“My personal expectations were exceeded by far," said Frieder Gänzle from F. Zimmermann, Germany, a manufacturer of high-speed milling machines. "The new Metav concept has stimulated marketing of the trade fair." Lothar Horn from Paul Horn is particularly enthusiastic: “Metav is a fantastic event, extremely exciting, informative and interesting.” The cutting tool specialist has been extremely happy during the first two days of the show already, where the company's booth attracted more visitors than expected.

One reason for this is the new area concept, which has breathed new life into Metav. Whether they were interested in the core sector of machines, tooling and measuring technology, the product areas of additive manufacturing (AM) and quality or the two customer segments medical and moulding, each of which was presented in areas bearing these names – trade visitors could inform themselves about the entire process chain and network.

“For me, METAV is the ideal platform for in-depth interaction with trade visitors about specific applications, particularly with the quality area,” said – for example – Stefan Prange, director of Algona, Stuttgart, Germany. “Since our technologies are of interest for additive manufacturing too, we are considering booking two stands next time.”

Moulding area a new home for tool and mould making

The response to the moulding area from exhibitors and visitors was very good too. Arndt Fielen, sales manager at Zecha Hartmetall-Werkzeugfabrikation in Königbach-Stein, puts it in a nutshell: “Model, mould and toolmaking has found a new home in the moulding area. I am convinced that it has a good future, because there is no comparable trade fair in North Rhine-Westphalia for our industry. We look forward to returning in 2018.”

"We are delighted that the response to Metav and its new concept has been so positive,” said Dr Wilfried Schäfer, director of VDW. “According to our visitor survey, almost half of the visitors came to Metav for the first time ever.” All visitors were major decision-makers, VDW said. About 45% were top managers and 45% have procurement expertise. Half of them come from the mechanical engineering sector, while the automotive industry including the supply chain account for about 40% of visitors.

The visitor structure reflects Metav’s position north of the River Main and in the adjacent markets. More than 70% of the visitors came from the west and north of Germany. “Highly qualified customers come from the region but also from all over Germany. We are very satisfied,” confirmed Falco Wittpoth, marketing manager at Hedelius Vertriebsgesellschaft in Meppen. About a tenth of the visitors came, once again, from abroad. Of the total of 36 different nations, Belgium and the Netherlands are the countries from which most visitors came. “We are pleased that numerous trade visitors came to Metav from Austria and Switzerland, too,” Schäfer said.

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