Come April and the city of Dusseldorf in Germany will play host to the world's largest trade fair for wire and tube manufacturers. In this interview, the head of the organising company, Messe Dusseldorf, speaks about what the shows will highlight this year

Huned Contractor

The two globally leading trade fairs Wire 2014 and Tube 2014 will be staged for the 14th time at the Dusseldorf Exhibition Centre from April 7 to 14. On a total net floor space of more than 1,00,000 sq.mtr, they will showcase the accumulated technology prowess of the wire, cable and tube manufacturing processes of the respective sectors. More than 2,500 exhibitors are slated to present their latest technologies and products at these fairs, and as Joachim Schafer, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Messe Dusseldorf GmbH, points out in this interview, the show is getting bigger and better each year.

Could you highlight what the show has to offer this year?

The range of offerings at wire 2014 will cover a wide spectrum, from wire manufacturing and finishing equipment, mesh welding machinery, process engineering tools and auxiliary components all the way through to input materials and speciality wires. Innovative solutions from the cable, measurement, control and test engineering sectors round off the portfolio, and specialised sectors such as logistics, conveying systems and packaging will also be represented. The wire event will be spread out across Halls 9 to 12 and 15 to 17. The areas wire, cable and fibre optic machinery, and wire and cable production and trade will be located in Halls 9 to 12, 16 and 17. Fastener technology can be found in Hall 15; spring making and mesh welding machinery will be located in Hall 16.

So which would be the main groups?

The main product groups would be wire & cable manufacturing and finishing machinery, mesh welding machines, spring manufacturing machinery, fastener technology, process technology tools, auxiliary process technology materials, materials, special wires and cables, measuring and control technology, test engineering, specialist areas, logistics, and environmental care.

Is the mesh welding machinery section being segregated?

For the first time, the mesh welding machinery sector will have its own compact presentation forum -a special show in just one hall. You could call this an experiment of sorts and believe me we have had a tough time convincing all the welding machinery manufacturers to be concentrated in just one hall. But I think it's going to help the exhibitors a lot because one particular process and technology gets undivided attention. Over the next few years we hope to do this with other technologies too. This will be a chance for the visitors to concentrate on high performance machines which produce mesh in all shapes and variations - from construction steel mats to shop fittings right up to barriers and profile mesh. We will have here top-notch companies like EVG, MEP, Ideal, Progress Machines & Automation and PEDAX, among others.

What about springs?

As is always the case, there will be a focus on springs and fasteners too. There has been a growing demand for springs as a direct outcome of the increase in the production of vehicles and just to cite an example, in Germany the total spring production is nearly 5,00,000 tonnes a year and around 180 companies account for a turnover of Euro 2 billion. In addition, the spring market is also jump-starting developments in the electronics industry, which accounts for 13 per cent of shipments and is the second-largest buyer of springs in Germany. Springs are also an important part of turbines and isolators used to generate electricity. The exhibition will provide a window to learn how semiautomatic hydraulic looping machines are needed to produce German and English loops on extension springs. Yet the focus is not only on the individual steps in the process but towards an analysis of the entire value chain.

How many Indian companies are expected to exhibit their products this year?

We already have 130 companies from India who have committed their participation. The number has been growing each year and this stands true also of visitors from India. Overall, we expect 75,000 visitors this year from 111 countries who will be able to interact, exchange information, seal business deals, share technological insights, etc., with the exhibitors.

Would you rate the Dusseldorf wire and tube shows as the most successful in the portfolio of Messe Dusseldorf?

Yes, these shows rate very high in terms of success rate. In 2012, for example, we had 1313 exhibitors - twice as many as in 1986 when we held our first show. What gives these shows additional appeal is that the flavour is truly international. Our records show that up to 75 per cent of the visitors are from outside Germany and France, UK and Italy are among the top three countries with India following close behind.

Is there anything special in the tube show?

The tube event will present its 2014 ranges in Halls 1 to 7 and Hall 7a. The sector's entire range will be on display, from tube manufacturing to tube processing and finishing. For the first time, a special show called the Plastic Tube Forum will be staged in Hall 7.1. Additional exhibits will range from tube materials, tubes and accessories, tube manufacturing machinery and second-hand equipment to process engineering tools and auxiliary components all the way through to measurement and control technology. Test technology and specialised areas such as stock automation and control systems will supplement the extensive ranges.

What else should a first-time visitor to Dusseldorf look forward to?

The wonderful Rhine metropolis of Dusseldorf is just as impressive and exciting as the world's leading trade fair for wire, cable and tube. Gourmets will get their money's worth here just as lovers of art and culture will. The many restaurants at and off the river front are specialists in global cuisine. Or for those who like it quite rustic, the house breweries can be fun. Tourists are attracted by the media harbour, the world-famous Ko Boulevard for shopping or by the noble district of Oberkassel. A visit to Kaiserwerth is just as worthwhile as a visit to the opera or the theatre. Sports lovers would do well to visit Fortuna, the city's traditional football club.

The other good news is that a single ticket bought for either the wire or tube show can be used for both. Also, this ticket allows free commuting on the trains, buses or trams. For the Indian visitors, we are planning to also have a special Indian food stall on the grounds. My suggestion to visitors is that they should visit our websites www.wire.de or www.tube.de to not only plan their visit properly but also ensure that they do not miss out on networking with companies that are to their benefit. Also, it would be better to buy the ticket online in advance.