Global imprint for mold expos

Mold expos are going global to bring the latest technology and industry leaders together in different markets.
The 17th EuroMold exhibition closed on December 4th, 2010 and reaffirmed its position as the leading event for mold-making, tooling, design and application development. Over 55,000 visitors from nearly 89 countries visited EuroMold, held in Frankfurt, Germany. At the exhibition around 1,384 exhibitors from 38 countries showcased their products and services, including many world premieres in different sectors.
EuroMold 2010 also extended its position as the leading European market place for rapid technologies. Some of the special highlights at EuroMold were the special shows “e-production for everyone” and “Energy Efficiency and Moldmaking”. EuroMold 2010 also featured numerous forums, workshops, and international conferences composed a high class framework program on all days. A number of exhibitors from different industries announced many high potential business contacts and significant contracts on the show.
“The increasing number of trade visitors from abroad was far beyond our expectations. EuroMold has been affirmed as an essential event for the product development industry by more than 55,000 visitors, among them many decision makers, coming to Frankfurt despite of really bad weather conditions,” said Dr Eberhard Döring, exhibition manager of EuroMold 2010.
For the organizers of Euromold, Direct Exposition Managing and Trading or DEMAT, the success of the event was another feather in its cap. DEMAT describes itself as being one of the most distinctive privately owned organizers of trade fairs in Germany. The World Fair, EuroMold, is the largest exhibition in DEMAT’s portfolio but the company is also known for its range of successful trade fairs across the globe. DEMAT’s bouquet of international trade fairs includes Rosmould, held in Moscow, Asiamold (which is co-organized with Messe Frankfurt) and which was held in China this year, and DieMould India which was held in Mumbai this year. In 2010, DEMAT started two new events – Amerimold which was held in Cincinnati, USA from May 11th to 13th, 2010 and Afrimold which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 16th to the 18th.
According to DEMAT, Amerimold is the only event in North America that encompasses the entire product design and development cycle including tooling and mold manufacturing. The event was co-organized by DEMAT and Gardner Publications, Cincinnati. The show was modeled closely on EuroMold and connected buyers and sellers from all aspects of the product development lifecycle. The event saw nearly 2500 registrants from 25 countries.
The list of participating exhibitors was also very strong. With 193 exhibitors in 22,400 square feet of exhibit space attendees experienced vendors representing all elements of the product development lifecycle. The bulk of attendees to Amerimold were from the automotive sector – around 14 per cent of visitors were from the auto industry. Other important sectors were medical/dental, (10.2%), consumer products (9.8%), aerospace (9.8%), defense (8%), industrial machinery & equipment (7.7%), appliance (6.7%) and energy/power generation (5.6%). The next installment of Amerimold will be held from April 13th to the 14th, 2011 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Chicago.
DEMAT says that its first ever Afrimold event also met with great success. Over 2100 qualified visitors went to the exhibition held at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesberg and 77 local and international exhibitors, such as Böhler Uddeholm, Schmolz & Bickenbach, and Objet Geometries, showcased the latest products, technologies and solutions for the industry. According to DEMAT, the show was lauded by the industry as an overwhelming success. The exhibitors reported many qualified business contacts and could already make concrete deals during the exhibition. A “considerable” number of the exhibitors has already confirmed their participation at Afrimold 2011. Even 80% of the international exhibitors have reserved treble the amount of space they took this year, says DEMAT. Afrimold 2011 will be held from September 27 to 29, 2011, at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Next on the road for DEMAT is EuroMold Brasil, organised in cooperation with Messe Brasil. EuroMold Brasil will be held from August 20 – 24, 2012 in Joinville, Brazil. DieMould India will be held in 2011 in the south Indian city of Chennai at the Chennai Trade Centre from 7th to 10th April, 2011. DieMould India is India’s leading trade fair for the tool and die industry and related technologies. At the 2010 DieMould India in Mumbai the participation was even greater than earlier years. The event is co-hosted by DEMAT and the Tool and Gauge Manufacturers Association of India. RosMould will be held in Moscow from June 15th to the 17th 2011 in Moscow and AsiaMold will be held in Guangzhou, China from September 21 – 23, 2011 in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt.
Automotive Industries (AI) spoke to Döring, and asked why DEMAT had decided to start AmeriMold and AfriMold in 2010. Didn’t the economic recession of the past few years deter you?
Döring: The decision to start the two new exhibitions was taken in 2008 – just at the start of the economic downturn. Nevertheless, we realized that the mold-making industry is vital for the recovery of the manufacturing sector as has been the case in the United States. Mold-making is also a driving force in a developing nation like South Africa and indeed, the whole of Africa.
AI: Tell us about the growth of DEMAT’s international trade fairs – what is your strategy for expansion?
Döring: The strategy for expansion is to create a worldwide network for the whole process chain from IDEA to PRODUCT. We feel this is important for industry as a whole and specifically for small and medium industries which have global operations.
AI: What will be the features of EuroMold Brazil? Why is it important to spread the EuroMold concept across the globe?
Döring: The features of the EUROMOLD Brazil is slightly different to the other fairs. Under the EUROMOLD concept we motivate companies to invest in Brazil. And take advantage of the country’s tax incentives. We encourage businesses to bring in the latest technology to both Brazil and the whole of South America.
AI: What are some of the challenges you face in the expansion of EuroMold and how have you had to modify the exhibitions in different regions?
Döring: We have had to offer tailor-made exhibition concepts and sell them as full packages, because often the venues lack infrastructure and organization. We also organize delegation travel packages to the different venues to encourage non-exhibitors to analyze the market and plan their participation.