Fällanden, 24 November 2014 Successful MEM industry exhibition The powerful duo that is the PRODEX and SWISSTECH trade fairs in Basel came to an end on Friday 21 November. Over four days, 52,884 sector experts and interested parties representing industry, commerce and universities engaged in intensive networking and discussion. The organisers, partner associations SWISSMEM, SWISSMECHANIC and tecnoswiss, and the exhibitors are delighted with the level of visitor interest. When it comes to making decisions on investments or purchasing, the two leading industrial fairs, PRODEX and SWISSTECH, are clearly the main information, communication and business platforms. More exhibitors, more exhibition space, an attractive fringe programme with specialist forums, lunchtime talks and various panel discussions provided added value for the numerous trade visitors. Satisfied PRODEX exhibitors At PRODEX, 326 exhibitors presented their innovations, trends and prototypes to 29,352 trade visitors on a site covering around 18,600 square metres. Interesting conversations with decision-makers were held at the exhibitors’ stands, leading to expectations of follow-up business. Hubert Fleisch, Managing Director of AMADA Swiss GmbH, said: “We were there with our stand for the first time, and are really pleased. We will be back in two years’ time.” Giuseppe Barile, Managing Director of DMG MORI SEIKI Schweiz AG, was also hugely impressed with PRODEX 2014: “The calibre of the trade visitors we met was higher this year compared with 2012.” The PRODEX Award is given to companies that have developed an exemplary innovation or decisively improved their product, production process or service. Swiss manufacturers came out on top! First place was shared by Mikron Tool SA Agno and last year’s winner Fritz Studer AG. GF Machining Solutions came second, and third place went to Röhm Spanntechnik AG. SWISSTECH well attended SWISSTECH proved once again why it is Europe’s main trade fair for the subcontracting industries, with 554 exhibitors presenting themselves to 23,532 trade visitors from the world of purchasing, procurement, manufacturing and production on a site covering around 10,600 square metres. Roland Frick, Deputy Chairman of SWISSMECHANIC, remarked: “Our exhibiting members were impressed with this year’s SWISSTECH.” Brigitt Zwing, Head of Marketing at Kubo Tech AG, was equally pleased: “We are delighted with this year’s SWISSTECH. We held good, practical and interesting conversations.” And Thomas Plüss, Head of Marketing at Schmolz + Bickenbach Stahlcenter AG, was also “… very happy with this year’s SWISSTECH. We welcomed lots of visitors at our stand.” Another sign of the high regard for SWISSTECH and the attractiveness of the Swiss market is the abundance of international exhibitors. A remarkable 110 exhibitors from a host of different countries were present on eight international stands. Forum and special exhibitions prove popular The forum programme during the four-day events was impressive and accordingly well attended. The topic of professional 3D printing was given due prominence, being addressed each morning in various presentations. In terms of materials, the focus alternated between metals and plastics. Ralf Schindel, Managing Director of Prodartis AG, said: “The visitors showed great interest in 3D printing. We were able to cultivate and even significantly expand our network.” At the Science Park, the focus was on product development. Universities and institutes presented their expertise in design and construction, and were also delighted with the active interest shown by visitors. Committed to young professionals In keeping with tradition, the first day of this year’s trade fair was young professionals’ day. Training for young people was once again a key theme. Numerous groups of apprentices and students from vocational schools and universities of applied sciences enjoyed free entry. In addition, the final round of qualifying for the chance to participate in “WorldSkills São Paulo 2015”, the vocational world championships, was contested at the SWISSMEM stand. The medal-winners of the “SwissSkills” competition in the high-tech professions of qualified electrician and qualified designer plus the gold- and silver-medalwinning team of qualified automation engineers gave their very best. The qualifiers are now putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the world championships. The last word goes to Iris Sorgalla, Show Director of PRODEX and SWISSTECH, who was also delighted: “Both trade fairs are an essential platform for presenting products and innovations to the entire MEM industry. This was confirmed once again in 2014 by exhibitors and visitors alike.” The next PRODEX and SWISSTECH will be held from 15 to 18 November 2016 in Basel. For more information: Exhibit & More Ltd., Bruggacherstrasse 185, PO Box 185, CH-8117 Fällanden Iris Sorgalla, Show Director, [email protected] Lea Maurer, Communications Officer, [email protected] T +41 (0)44 806 33 33, F +41 (0)44 806 33 43 www.prodex.ch, www.swisstech-messe.ch