Fakuma establishes itself as key international event

Events Fakuma establishes itself as key international event

21.10.2015Editor: Barbara Schulz

Germany - The 24th Fakuma fair, held from 13 to 17 October in Friedrichshafen, Germany, drew a record number of 45,721 visitors from 120 countries as well as 1,780 exhibitors from 38 nations, reports organiser P.E. Schall.

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P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG

Where exhibitors as well as expert visitors were concerned, Fakuma was more international than ever and is generating hope within the industry sector that the good business conditions experienced in 2014 and 2015 (4% sale growth for German plastcis and rubber machinery manufacturers in 2015) will persist in 2016 a well (growth forecast: 2%).
(Source: Schulz)

Specialists from the plastics industry lined up in Friedrichshafen, Germany, to see the latest developments in plastics processing and material technologies last week. According to Schall, the share of international visitors was higher than ever, illustrating the fact that the event has established itself as a key show in the international plastics industry.

Movers and shakers were flocking the halls

Many exhibitors praised the fact that many key decision-makers were on site, while also pointing to high-quality enquiries and the noticeably expertise displayed by visitors, the organisers report.

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Ulrich Eberhardt, spokesperson of the Fakuma Exhibitor Committee, is confident that the current positive economic trend will continue over the coming years.

Arburg Managing Partner Michael Hehl is happy with the companies performance. "Following the successful year 2014, in which we achieved consolidated sales of €548m, we are highly satisfied with the business trend so far and the incoming orders for 2015." The US remain the strongest foreign market.

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The busy halls in Friedrichshafen were unable to accommodate all exhibitors, with the result that the entrance areas west and east were also lined with stands. The fairgrounds were very busy and it proved extremely difficult to make your way to exhibitors' stands; a good sign for everyone involved. The positive mood and the increasing number of international visitors at Fakuma reflects the sector's upward trend. The association of plastics manufacturers, Plastics-Europe, has forecast positive growth for 2015 buoyed by increased demand from manufacturers of cars, electrical appliances and construction components. Euromap estimates that manufacturers of plastics and rubber machinery in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK produced goods to the value of €13bn in 2014, with exports valued at €9.65bn.

Sales of German plastics and rubber machinery are still on target to rise 4% in 2015, according to Ulrich Eberhardt, spokesperson of the Fakuma Exhibitor Committee and MD of Motan Holding. At the opening press conference he said that the German engineering association VDMA expects Germany's plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers' turnover to reach as high as €6.9bn this year and €7.1bn (+2%) in 2016.

According to Eberhardt, 69% of German plastics and rubber machines were exported last year, with Spain, Portugal and Italy on the rise. Sales to Russia were down by 28% while the US is still in an upswing. While he pointed out that global political and economic conflicts makes it more and more difficult to make long-term forecasts, the sector was confident that positive economic development will continue over the coming years.

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