Thomas Schlitt, MD, Messe Düsseldorf India, elaborates on the impact the Wire and Cable India 2016 exhibition (October 5-7, Bombay Exhibition Centre) will have on exhibitors and visitors.

What will be the highlights of this year’s WCI 2016? How many companies do you expect to participate and what would be the estimated visitor count?

Wire & Cable India 2016 will be displaying machines and plants for wire production and processing, forming technology, spring-making technology, cable and stranded wire machines, tools and auxiliaries for process engineering, measuring and control technology, all types of wires, rolled wire, bare wire, bars, sheet metal as well as special wires and cables. For this edition we are expecting around 300+ companies across 25 countries and our estimate is that there will be around 15000+ potential trade visitors.

Given that the Asian economy has been sluggish of late, how do you think this show will help exhibitors and visitors?

The wire and cable industry in India is quite competitive in its production costs compared to other developed and developing countries. This cost competitiveness needs to be maintained by adoption of new and clean technologies, which lower specific energy consumption and which generate much lesser pollutants. We need to automate processes and focus on product quality and packaging to produce wires internationally acceptable. This exhibition will give the right opportunity to companies to showcase their latest technologies to minimise the cost and increase productivity and quality.

Could you provide an overview of the Asian wire and cable industry?

The Asia Pacific region makes up for a majority share of the wire and cable materials market in the world, accounting for significantly more than half of the global demand. The presence of several manufacturing-based economies in this region of the world has resulted in the region’s dominance. North America and Europe follow the demand generated from the Asia Pacific region.

How does this compare with the global scenario?

Despite the global steel crisis and excess production capacities in China, the Indian economy posts strong growth for these areas. Germany is India’s biggest trading partner in the European Union. The trading volume between Germany and India has tripled over the past ten years. The demand for plant and machinery is moderate; the Indian automotive industry, however, reports positive sales figures. The US insulated wire and cable demand will rise 6% annually to USD 27 billion in 2019. Building wire and cable will remain the largest product segment and will be by far the fastest growing, followed by power and fibre optic wire and cable. Construction will be the fastest growing market, surpassing electrical equipment to become the largest segment.

What are the factors that will help boost the wire and cable industry in India in the forthcoming years?

In the construction sector, strong investments in civil engineering for streets, canals, bridges, and railroad and energy projects positively impact the business climate while the real estate sector already faces first dips. So in that case Smart City will play a vital role to boost the Indian economy.

Over the years, how has the WCI got better in terms of facilities, promotions, etc.?

Our show has grown by approximately 9% from the last couple of editions. For this edition we are getting a large number of machinery manufacturers to display their products. A massive visitor promotion campaign is underway and we are expecting record turnout of industry professionals this year.

Will there be any primary focus areas in this year’s exhibition?

A majority of industry segments are represented. Therefore, we are not creating any specialised zone for this edition.

Will there be any conferences for the dissemination of technical information?

For the first time a technical conference will be held on the last date of the show, primarily focusing on the mercury-less polymers used for various applications in the wire and cable industry. The theme for the conference will be ‘Polymers in Cable and Wire’ and will be held on October 7, 2016.

What are the main target groups?

WCI 2016 will address all relevant target groups in the industry, including: wire manufacturing; cable manufacturing, spring manufacturing; manufacturing of connecting/fastening elements; manufacturing of other wire goods; glass fibre cable industry; iron/steel and nonferrous metal industry; automobile industry; construction industry; chemicals industry; electrical industry/electronics; manufacturer of machines and plant for the production of wire and cable; measuring, controlling and regulating technology; aerospace supply industry; telecommunications industry; computer manufacturing, etc.

What is your future vision for WCI? What more would you like to add to the show in the coming years?

For our future edition we will be adding some new unexplored segments such as fasteners, springs, polymers and gearboxes.

– HUNED CONTRACTOR