Mar 20 2008
Successful product engineering becomes reality when innovative key competences are merged at the right moment. This year, experts will meet again at the specialist trade fair MATERIALICA – 11th International Trade Fair for Material Applications, Surfaces and Product Engineering - which takes place from October 14 through 16, 2008, at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. With a new concept and an expanded congress and conference program. Robert Metzger, Managing Director at MunichExpo Veranstaltungs GmbH and organizer of MATERIALICA provides an outlook on what exhibitors and visitors can expect.
Robert Metzger
Why is "Product Engineering in Motion" the new MATERIALICA 2008 slogan? What message you would like to convey to your exhibitors?
We are trying to approach the industries in motion, basically the high-tech industries that refer to motion. MATERIALICA’s target group is mainly composed of visitors from the automotive, aerospace, automation, engineering, technical sports and consumer goods industries. On the exhibitors’ side, we also address raw material, semifinished products, component suppliers and service providers from the above-mentioned industries.
To what extent does MATERIALICA influence these industries?
MATERIALICA is the only event in Germany that has committed itself exclusively to the topic of material supply. We are presenting well-established and new materials and methods that are successfully conquering the market and are suitable even for other applications. Visitors are given a chance to speak directly with manufacturers and users to discuss topics around material quality, possible fields of application etc.
What else is new? To which areas do the main focus topics at MATERIALICA 2008 refer, what are the topics on this trade fair?
Our main focus is on important engineering and material topics such as composites, lightweight metal design, high-performance and functional ceramics and surface technology. To be able to fully cover these topics, we have developed the specialist trade fairs COMPOSITES, METAL LIGHT, CERAMICS and SURFACE. The key topics nanotechnology and testing have been integrated into the trade fair as special events with individual exhibitors. Also the connection of material, technology and design is becoming increasingly important. To be able to address this connection, the MATERIALICA Design + Technology Award will take place this year for the sixth time. Our goal is to highlight the relevance of materials for industry-oriented applications and to trigger a discussion among designers, material manufacturers, developers, engineers and producers. Designers have known for a long time that the success of a product and its design also depend on the right choice of materials.
The framework agenda of MATERIALICA has been systematically expanded in recent years. What are you offering this year?
Our concept is: At least one congress for each topic. We seek to combine competence and to create an added value for visitors and exhibitors alike. MATERIALICA should not only be regarded as a trade fair, but as a meeting point for members of the respective industries and as a hub where information and knowledge can be exchanged. This year, we are offering congresses that cover the topics of composites, lightweight metal design, ceramics applications, surface, nanotechnology, boatbuilding, design and racing. We are particularly proud to be able to join forces this year with our partner, the European Space Agency, at the international Technology Transfer Conference which takes place for the second time in parallel with MATERIALICA. The multitude of congresses and conferences will enable experts of all MATERIALICA topics and target industries to communicate their knowledge more extensively and in more depth. This will attract even more visitors to the successful specialist trade fair.
Is there an area of exhibitors that has posted particularly strong gains?
We have far more exhibitors today as compared with last year. This is obvious proof of the trade fair’s growth trend that was already predicted at the beginning of this year. Even now, the areas surface and ceramics are larger than during the year preceeding the trade fair and will present themselves with a considerably larger number of exhibitors. But also Composites and Metal Light are revealing a visible booming tendency. We are pretty confident that this year will exceed the last years in terms of success.
Which exhibitors have already registered?
In the area of composites, we are very happy to welcome Teijin, the largest fibre provider worldwide, to our trade fair. But also Carbon Composites e.V. with its members will be present at the trade fair on a large joint stand. Schott, Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, Maxxon Motors, Plansee, Handtmann or ZwickRoell are just a few examples of exhibitors that have already signed-in.
Exhibitors wish to attract clearly defined target groups. What kind of visitor clientele can your exhibitors expect?
Our main target groups are developers, designers and construction engineers from the industries “in motion”. Especially decision-makers from the top management level visit MATERIALICA regularly. In 2007, we welcomed 7,023 visitors from 43 countries. 51.8 percent of these visitors held leading positions in their companies. The visitor industries automotive, engineering, sports and aerospace were strongly represented. Product Engineering in Motion – a slogan that applies to visitors as well!