
Press Release Issued by Messe Düsseldorf: Optimism at glasstec
2010- Successful Debut of Solarpeq 2010
October 4, 2010
At the recent concurrent staging of glasstec 2010, International
Trade Fair for Glass Production – Processing – Products, and solarpeq
2010, International Trade Fair for Solar Production Equipment, it
was obvious that an optimistic atmosphere is again prevailing in
the glass sector after difficult economic times. A total of 1,274
exhibitors and about 45,000 trade visitors took part in both trade
fairs. One third of the visitors were also interested in the range
of exhibits at solarpeq 2010.
The exhibitors reported many good discussions with high-ranking
and international visitors and anticipate a lucrative post-show
business. According to a survey, more than 50% of the visitors at
glasstec and solarpeq 2010 came from countries other than Germany.
A significant increase in visitor participation from North America
and in particular from South America was recorded. Almost every
second visitor came with the intention of placing specific orders
or had already done so.
Martin Gutmann, President of glasstec 2010 and Federal Guild Master,
confirmed a very good mood among the exhibitors: “We ourselves noticed
this at our stand in the skilled trades center as did companies
in the glass industry and engineering sector: the trade fair went
really well. This bodes very well for the coming months. We seem
to have definitely come out of the trough.” Hans Werner Reinhard,
Deputy Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, added: “glasstec has
confirmed its pioneering role as the most important international
meeting point for the glass sector – and now business is on the
upturn once again. This is an excellent signal for our exhibitors.”
A successful feature at glasstec 2010 was the North American Pavilion,
organized by Messe Düsseldorf North America (MDNA) - the U.S. subsidiary
of the show’s organizer Messe Düsseldorf – and co-sponsored by the
National Glass Association (NGA). A total of 19 North American companies
showcased their products within this group exhibit.
Exhibitors at solarpeq 2010 were also pleased with visitor quality
and the close connection to glasstec, giving them the opportunity
to tap into new target groups and promote dialogue between the sectors.
This aspect was particularly apparent at the solarpeq conference
“Solar meets Glass”. With nearly 200 participants from Germany and
abroad, the conference brought together the global glass and solar
sectors for the first time. The top-notch participants were unanimous
in their positive response to this opportunity for dialogue. Dr.
Harald Binder, )Consultant, Chairman of the SEMI PV Group and Conference
Chair of the event jointly organized by Solarpraxis AG and Messe
Düsseldorf) stated: “This shows how vital exchange between the glass
and solar sectors really is. The objective here should be to define
a joint roadmap for production and applications that benefit both
sectors equally. A start has now been made and it will certainly
not be the last exchange of this kind.”
In addition to the solarpeq conference, the glasstec ancillary program
was very well received. The first “engineered transparency” conference
organized in conjunction with the Dresden and Darmstadt Universities
of Technology focusing on the topics of glass, façades and solar
technology attracted more than 200 participants from 22 countries.
A visitor favorite was once again the Special Show “glass technology
live” organized by Prof. Stefan Behling and his team from the Institute
of Structural Design at the Stuttgart University about the future
of energy-efficient glass applications. Particular attractions here
were the largest pane of insulating glass measuring 18.00 meters
x 3.30 meters as well as (multifunctional) façades with integrated
photovoltaics, solar thermics or decentralized building services.
With over 60 lectures, the accompany symposium was also very well
attended. Modern building shells made of glass were a key topic
at the FaçadesCentre located next to the glass technology live show
presenting key firms and associations related to this theme.
Other features of the glasstec 2010 ancillary program included the
Architects’ Congress dealing with the topic of “Glass is Energy”
and attracting over 300 participants as well as the “glass art”
exhibition presenting over 300 works of art by international artists.
A seminar program for the glazier trade and the international auto
glazier competition completed the program.
The next concurrent staging of glasstec and solarpeq will take place
in October 2012 in Düsseldorf, Germany. For further information
on visiting or exhibiting at glasstec or solarpeq 2012, contact
Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite
2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188;
E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe
to our blog at http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago
glasstec/solarpeq 2010 Exhibitor Statements:
Bohle AG, Dominik Hinzen, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications:
“Foreign visitors are extremely important to us. 70% of the visitors
at our stand on the first two days came from outside of Germany.
For us as an international company it is obviously important to
approach those countries where we do not have branch offices. This
means we are very satisfied with the internationality of the trade
fair.”
Federal Association of Glazier Trades
Martin Gutmann, Federal Guild Master:
“I have just come from the stand of a large international company
in our association. They were very pleased with the trade fair business.
The level of international visitors is fantastic for them. Furthermore,
the trade fair is not only an indicator but also an initiator. This
is very positive – and something already being felt in the glazier
trade as the orders are already there.”
Bystronic glass, Richard Jakob, CEO:
“After the difficult year in 2009 we have finally moved out of the
“valley of tears” and you can feel optimism everywhere. This is
reflected by busy movement at the stand showing that our potential
customers are here (…) We have had four very good days; this applies
to both contacts made with customers, deals concluded and contracts
etc. There is a marked interest in and demand for all products.
(…) What struck me is that there are many decision-makers here.
A Russian customer, for example, concluded a spontaneous six-digit–Euro
deal with us yesterday.”
Glas Trösch Holding AG, Jürgen K. Servais, Member of the Group
Management:
“The internationality is very good. The talks we had here were more
positive across the board than 2 years ago. Well, there is a general,
basic optimism prevailing so that a good follow-up business can
be expected, too. I am one of the supporters of solarpeq: it is
true that we still have little interest in the solar segment yet
but it is the first time for this trade fair to be held here and
time will tell that this decision was right.”
Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH, Egbert Wenninger, Authorised Signatory,
Executive Board Member:
“After 2008 we had very high expectations and these have been met
so far. Until now the contacts made and talks held have been very
good. We are very satisfied at this point. We also anticipate very
good post-show business. I think it is safe to assume, as far as
glass is concerned, the market will pick up over the next year.”
Lisec Maschinenbau GmbH, Manfred Lesiak, Marketing Event Manager:
“Basically I am surprised how things are going for us. The business
deals made here have been much better than expected. Concluding
deals at the trade fair is not so common in our sector but we closed
a deal here with Egypt, for instance. Customers also see the direction
we are taking at the solarpeq stand and this attracts attention.
The trade fair has been very successful so far. We had very many
international visitors. (…) We expect very good post-show business.”
ZIPPE Industrieanlagen GmbH, Dr. Bernd-Holger Zippe, President
& CEO:
”We are satisfied with the trade fair this year. We have noticed
a great difference compared to 2008. In 2008 you could really feel
the economic crisis starting, which made people hold back while
now thankfully you can sense an upturn. (…) The VDMA Symposium attracted
very many participants yesterday which was very gratifying and in
the afternoon we noticed a real surge of visitors to our stand.
We could not even keep up. (…) The quality of visitors is very high.
Decision makers come in person – something glasstec can be proud
of.”
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