— Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director, Messe München International
bauma is the world’s largest trade fair for the building industry offering a comprehensive international product range of construction machinery, building material machines, construction vehicles, equipment and mining machines. bauma is now held in India and China. Eugen Egetenmeir, in an email interaction with Jibran Buchh, shares his views on the construction equipment market and the international trade fair.
Can you share your outlook on the construction equipment sector in India and China?
Some regions and countries face difficulties or even downturns, and China and India are no exception. However, our shows in the Asian market, namely bauma China and bC India, prove to be very strong. For example, bauma China, which took place in Shanghai from November 27-30, 2012, has broken all its records again and that despite slowdown of the market and decreasing sales figures in the industry worldwide. The show braved all market tendencies.
As to our Indian show, bC India, the exhibition space was increased from 88,000 sq. metres at the last event to 150,000 sq. metres in 2013. All in all, some 700 exhibitors will be showcasing their latest products and developments at the show.
So, even though the Indian market for construction equipment and technologies is facing a slight downturn, it is still growing more rapidly than the international average. We are very happy that the feedback we have received for bC India 2013 confirms the huge potential of this market.
What is the role of Messe München International in the equipment sector of these two countries?
Bauma has been extremely successful for many years and thereby partly formed the market for construction machinery. Exhibitors are gearing the innovation cycle of their products to the cycle of Bauma. By transferring the bauma brand also to other parts of the world like China and, as a joint venture with CONEXPO, to India, we cause a similar effect on these markets.
Companies in India and China will use our platforms for presenting their latest product novelties to the respective markets.
Bauma China in the last edition 2012, for example, once again proved to be the key business platform for companies to tap into the Chinese market, as well as Greater Asia. The show broke all records with regard to exhibitor numbers, exhibition space and visitor numbers.
bC India, too, is breaking its record with regard to exhibitor numbers and exhibition space. That shows the high regard that bC India enjoys among exhibitors already at its second edition.
Tell us about the logistics of organising such an event.
Of course, all our construction machinery shows are very demanding when it comes to logistics. For example, some of our exhibitors have a very special stand which requires a set-up time of several weeks. Moreover, their exhibits are mostly quite large; hence it takes some time to build everything up. Therefore, the official set-up of these shows normally starts between one to four weeks prior to the show, depending on whether the stand is located in the indoor or the outdoor area.
However, the start of the official set-up does not mean that exhibitors can choose freely when to come. In order to guarantee a smooth set-up, all companies have to apply for a set-up time and let the organiser know when they’ll be delivering their material. So, as you can see the whole set-up period has to be completely organised.
How would you differentiate between bauma in Munich and bauma China?
Both shows are international shows. A difference between bauma and bauma China is the sheer size. bauma is nearly two times as big as bauma China. Moreover, bauma in Munich is a show targeting markets on a global level whereas bauma China is focusing on the Chinese market as well as Greater Asia.
What is your view on the secondhand and rental equipment sector in India and China?
There are several service providers who offer rental services for construction equipment. And as India and China are both growing markets, rental services for construction equipment are surely quite a business. However, neither at bauma China nor at bC India do we have a product category on rental services. Nonetheless, as both shows feature a broad scale of exhibitors, it is easy to get the information from exhibitors which are collaborating with rental services companies.
Does Messe München International have any specific plans for next five years?
Of course, Messe München International is looking carefully at the potential of various markets around the world, and in this context exploring opportunities for new trade fairs. That is why we are going to launch in September 2013 bauma Africa at Johannesburg in South Africa. With regard to the trade show portfolio in general Messe München will expand its business in the next years considerably. Our target is to increase the company group turnover outside Germany by 50 per cent till 2016.
