The Bauma Conexpo Show held from 8-11 February 2011 at the sprawling MMRDA grounds at Bandra-Kurla Complex put on a booming display, literally. It was as if all the leading cranes (manufacturers) for the construction and infrastructure industries migrated to India's commercial capital for the 4-day event.

The inaugural bC India was organised by a joint venture floated by Messe M??nchen International (MMI) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The Builders' Association of India (BAI) chipped in as a joint organiser, and a host of national and international associations lend their support. With 508 exhibitors displaying their wares, nearly 70% of the exhibitors at bC India were international companies, representing over 30 countries. The international earth moving and construction equipment bigwigs included Wirtgen, Caterpillar, Senne-bogen, Terex, Chetra, Kamaz Vectra, Putzmeister, Manitowoc, Schwing Stetter, Dana, Meritor and more.

The indoor exhibition area, which sported pavilions dedicated to countries like Australia, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom, also saw the participation of a number of International players like Dana, Meritor, Lombardini and Deutz among others. Healthy participation by Indian companies was reflected by exhibitors like Shantilal C Mehta, inside, and the likes of the Nawa, Universal, ACE Group, Tractors India and others. Enjoying a healthy participation of more than 22,000 visitors from 69 countries, the show aptly reflected the sentiments of the Indian construct industry.

Conceived as a biennial event, Thomas L??ffler, CEO, bC Expo India and Deputy CEO, MMI India, said, "This result shows clearly that our decision to launch bC India came at the right time, and at the right place. Furthermore, the number of exhibitors as well as the feedback from all participants reflect that bC India truly is a new dimension for the construction industry." Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director of MMI added: "bC India proves to be a premium platform for the construction machinery industry in India by setting new organisational standards."

Generating positive reactions from many exhibitors and visitors, it was the quality of the business visitors and the facilities that proved to be the highlight of the event. "The overall numbers are outstanding. I am convinced that bC India will indeed play a very important role in the Indian market in the near future," said Megan Tanel, Vice President, AEM. Tanel pointed at the strategy to offer free of cost pre-registration and charging an entrance fee to non pre-registered visitors, which helped to achieved a high professional level of business visitors. V Venkataramana, Vice-President of Puzzolana, remarked that the quality of visitors was extremely good, thanks to the restricted entry policy. Ramesh Palagiri, Managing Director and CEO of Wirtgen India, added, "All visitors at our booth were 100 per cent quality visitors." Responding to a strong demand from exhibitors in the run-up to the show, the exhibition space for bC India had to be extended to a total of around 88,000 sq.mtr. A few exhibitors had to be turned down in spite of this as no more space could be generated. Work, according to Bhagwan Deokar, president of the Builders' Association of India, started with soil testing, the venue being a reclaimed piece of land. Special permission had to be taken for the height of the cranes on display as the venue is close to the airport, he added. Egetenmeir, in response, said that Mumbai needs a good exhibition venue.

Pointing at the Bandra grounds in the heart of Mumbai, where the show was held, he expressed that at the current rate of development the same place may not be available for the next show. On the positive side, Egetenmeir said, India is investing in many sectors in multiple industries. In the current 5-year plan to 2012, the country will invest US$ 500 billion in infrastructure. That will double to US$ 1 trillion in the next five-year plan period. Touching upon the exhibitors and visitors, he concluded that with this level of participation the show was a real success.