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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