To be held from 7-11 April 2014, Hannover Messe is aiming to play the gateway to the world of Indian industry

Held since 1947, Hannover Messe will open its gates for the sixty-seventh time on 7th April 2014 as this iconic global industry event aims at the next industrial evolution, bringing to its halls exhibitors and participants from fields of industrial automation, energy, industrial supply as well as research and technology. Enabling companies to effectively present their products, solutions and services for meeting the challenges of industrial manufacturing to a global clientele, Hannover has almost become synonymous with industrial exhibitions.

The theme for Hannover Messe 2014 is 'Integrated Industry - Next Steps', reflecting the fair's continued focus on integration as a challenge for the future of the industry, and how it maps out the next steps along the road to tomorrow's intelligent, self-organising factories. Endorsing the fair's status as the world's leading trade fair for industrial technology, Hannover Messe 2014 will have Netherlands as the partner country. Comprising seven flagship fairs - Industrial Automation, Energy, MobiliTec, Digital Factory, Industrial Supply, IndustrialGreenTec, Research & Technology, Hannover Messe 2014 will place a strong emphasis on Industrial Automation and IT, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Industrial Subcontracting, Production Engineering and Services and Research & Development.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Mr Marc Siemering, Senior Vice President of Hannover Messe said, "Industries are facing major challenges worldwide. In every country, rising standards of living are boosting demand for better and more modern products and production processes. Hannover Messe makes a good platform for professionals from the global industry sectors to learn about new technologies that can help them meet their manufacturing challenges."

Indian companies have had a steady presence at Hannover Messe. India was the partner country in 2006 with over 350 Indian companies present at the fair. India occupied 2,000 sq.m space at the 2006 event. At Hannover Messe 2015, India is expected to occupy 5000 sq.m space, indicating a preference for participation like no other fair.

Aiding Indian companies to participate at Hannover Messe is EEPC (Engineering Exports Promotion Council) India. Speaking at Mumbai, Mr Rajat Srivastava, Regional Director, EEPC India, stated that EEPC India values Indo-German Economic Co-operation. "EEPC India has been participating in Hannover Messe for last 20 years. It is perhaps the only show that EEPC has been consistent with," he added.

Claiming that participation through EEPC costs approximately 30% less than direct participation at the fair, Mr Srivastava averred that EEPC is participating with approximately over 350 sq.m space at Hannover Messe 2014.

In the year 2015, EEPC will most likely do an 'India Show' with 5000 sq.m gross area on popular demand from the clients. Mr Srivastava also drew attention towards SMEs being keener to participate at Hannover Messe in order to reach out to European markets as well as those in the other parts of the world.

Fifteen Indian companies have so far confirmed their participation at Hannover Messe 2014 according to Mr Mehul Shah, Managing Director, Hannover Milano Fairs India. Mr Shah stated further: "Hannover Messe has special relevance for the Indian engineering industry.

For more than 30 years Indian engineering companies have been participating at this event. Hannover Messe has played a crucial role in promoting Indian exports globally and has also been a platform for technology tie ups and business partnerships for many Indian companies." India is an important nation, concluded Mr Shah, drawing attention to India's partner country status in 1984 and 2006.

What was the reason behind choosing the theme, "Integrated Industry - Next Steps"?

The vision of smart factory led to us choosing this theme. The fair would highlight on the concept of an intelligent, automated factory that would lead to independent production processes and individual products. The need therefore for resonance efficiency, energy efficient and flexible processes.

What changes do you foresee at the manufacturing level in terms of automation supply chain and energy management?

Today, IT systems and production lines are separate. We foresee that the two will be connected, leading to their integration into the production processes at various levels starting from purchasing, manufacturing to extending to packaging and logistics. We foresee better integration of ERP systems and PLM systems to arrive at factories where processes are more flexible - where factories can adapt to changes faster; address the needs of the clients better; reduce time to market. And herein lies the USP of Hannover Messe's seven flagship fairs - that of focusing on various synergies taking place at various levels of production.

Awareness towards environment-friendly manufacturing technologies is growing. How are you reflecting these through your fairs?

One of the seven fairs, Industrial GreenTec will focus on greener production technologies.

Sustainability will be the prime focus area at the show. The way to a greener production, better energy management, and greener energy sources.

How do you foresee the participation of India at Hannover Messe 2014?

We see a growing interest towards our fairs. We want to play the media to help Indian companies to enter Europe and the global markets.

Hannover Messe can be a gateway to European markets; exchange experiences. We are hoping to get 200,000 visitors across seven fairs. Core areas of participation that we foresee are automation, IT, energy supply and R&D.