Good Business at glasstec 2004

The world’s largest glass trade fair closed its doors in Düsseldorf on Saturday, 13 November 1004 on excellent results. Satisfied exhibitors and visitors were able to look back on five very lively trade fair days. [b]Exhibitors praise quality and quantity of glasstec [/b] The exhibitors at glasstec 2004 were very satisfied with their participation in glasstec 2004. This is evidenced in the extremely positive results of the exhibitor questionnaire. 89 % of exhibitors stated that they had reached their goal for the trade fair participation. 95 % praised the excellent professional quality of the visitors. Approximately 90 % are expecting good post-fair business. “Every day, we exceeded the set trade fair goals by far. We are up 50 % on the targets we set ourselves,” Christian Willers of Saint-Gobain Company, summed up the positive assessment of glasstec. An additional plus for glasstec was the large %age of international exhibitors that participated again this year. Italy was in the lead position as the largest group. The runner-up positions were held by the USA, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. More than 90 % of the specialist visitors praised the comprehensive range of offers. Approximately 54,000 professionals from the areas of industry, commerce, skilled crafts and architecture visited glasstec 2004. Thus glasstec 2004 has achieved the same results as glasstec 2002. [b]Highest Percentage of international visitors to date[/b] The large share of international visitors was increased yet again. 57 % of the fair visitors came from outside Germany. They came from 81 countries, from New Zealand to Zimbabwe. “Glasstec has a very strong international appeal. The share of international exhibitors and visitors is far above the average of other glass fairs. This guarantees that supply and demand are meeting in Düsseldorf on a global scale,” Michael Frerker, Managing Director of the Professional Association for Container Glass of the Federal Association of the Glass Industry, registered association (BV Glas), points out. The interest of the glasstec visitors was focused primarily on glass processing and finishing (51 %), glass production (38 %), glass products and applications (39 %), as well as tools, spare and wear parts (31 %). 20 % of the visitors were especially interested in solar technology. “Because of its international communication platform, we consider glasstec a special event. This year, we found that glasstec was even more successful because we contacted many new customers,” Klaus-Dieter Schwabe, Schott AG, reviews his company’s trade fair participation. [b]Glasstec partners see initial sparks for the whole Industry[/b] Messe Düsseldorf and its sponsoring associations, the Department of Glass Machinery and Systems of the German Engineering Association (VDMA), the Federal Association of Glazier Trades (BIV), as well as the Federal Association of the Glass Industry (Bundesverband Glasindustrie e.V.) were satisfied with the positive response of the visitors and exhibitors alike. In general, they viewed glasstec as very successful. “A very positive mood prevailed among the machinery manufacturers. Many qualified glasstec 2004 as the best in years. They have had many enquiries and closed a number of deals,” commented Siegfried Glaser, President of the glasstec advisory council and President of the Department of Glass Machinery and Systems of the German Engineering Association (VDMA). “Because of the timely adjustment to the changed circumstances and changes within the global markets, glasstec 2004 again defends its position as the leading trade fair and ideal information platform,” Glaser added. “In light of the fragile business situation of the glazier trade, we were not sure prior to the fair whether we would be able to continue the 30-year-long success story of this industrial fair in the year 2004. However, glasstec once more provided the initial spark in a difficult market situation; and this does not only apply to the exhibiting companies of the glazier trade,” Martin Nagel, President of glasstec 2002 and Federal Guild Master of the Glazier Trades (BIV) remarked. The Federal Association of the Glass Industry (BV Glass) concurred with the positive assessments of BIV and VDMA, respectively. “Once again, glasstec underlined its position as the world’s leading glass fair. There are some particularly exciting developments that showcase the innovative character of glass as a material even more. This includes glass types that can further improve the climatic conditions inside buildings and show significant potential for energy savings. The stronger focus on special applications for glass, such as TV glass, photovoltaics or solar-thermal uses may give us an idea of the importance of glass in the coming years and decades. The innovation potential has not been exhausted by far,” Dr. Johann Overath, Managing Director BV Glas, summarized. The largest foreign group of exhibitors, from Italy (with 197 exhibitors), joined in the generally positive assessment. “We are very happy with the results and are pleased with the large number of international contacts,” Renata Gaffo, President of the Italian Glass-Processing Machinery and Accessories Suppliers’ Association (GIMAV) commented on the results of glasstec. [b]glass technology live with Symposium – Innovation Showcase[/b] The special “glass technology live“ show opened with an extended concept. In particular, it was the transparent design of the attractive exhibition and its extended range of topics (alongside façades and a unique solar exhibition, it also included interior design using glass) that proved to be magnets for the remarkably high contingent of visitors from architectural and engineering offices. The glass industry is rated among the most innovative branches of industry worldwide. In order to react to current market trends, “glass technology live” also addressed future-oriented topics such as laser technology, special thin glass (e.g. display glass) and solar technology. “The special show was again received with incredibly great interest. Solar technology is now increasingly used, particularly in façade construction. We took this trend into account both in the show and the symposium programme. Without a doubt, glasstec is a shop window on innovation," said Prof. Stefan Behling, Head of the Institute for Structural Design at the University of Stuttgart and partner at Sir Norman Foster´s architects´ bureau in London. "This year, for the first time, we decided to rent a stand at the fair because glasstec is the ideal meeting place for our target group architects”, said Albert Müller, architectural consultant at Gartner, one of the largest façade builders worldwide. During the symposium, renowned presenters from leading research institutes, associations, companies and architects’ offices discussed the topic areas presented in the special show and further debated them in panel discussions. The symposium as a forum for information exchange and development of new ideas proved to be a magnet for numerous visitors from universities as well as from the area of research and development. “The special exhibition and the symposium - in particular for the area of laser and display technology – were received very well. These two topics as well as other new technologies should become part of the fixed range at glasstec,” Siegfried Glaser emphasised after the successful conclusion of the symposium. [b] glasstec portal was well received[/b] Once again this year, the Internet offered the option to receive comprehensive information on the event and technological innovations before and during glasstec. More than 1,000 exhibitors presented their company profiles on the extensive exhibitor database of the glasstec portal (800 exhibitors for glasstec 2002). 680 companies included their product descriptions and 701 added their company data. The number of portal users has increased by 50 % compared to 2002. Usually, trade fairs close after a few days – but glasstec goes on. Suppliers and interested parties have a lot to say, show and ask between the last and the next fair. Those who did not have the time to visit glass technology live and the symposium during the trade fair will appreciate the comprehensive range of information and contributions in the portal. Through the glasstec portal at [url]http://www.glasstec-online.com[/url], trade fair stands are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and everywhere in the world. The next glasstec will be held in Düsseldorf in October 2006.