The world´s largest
trade exhibition of logistics, telematics and transport came to a close in Munich with a new record
for exhibition space and exhibitors, and with around 48,000 trade visitors.
"This result has far exceeded all expectations. Here in Munich the industry has demonstrated
impressively that despite the crisis it is flexible, adaptable and innovative
in its forward-thinking," said Eugen
Egetenmeir, a member of the Management Board of Messe München. The outstanding role of transport logistic as the world´s number one
trade fair for the global transport and logistics sector in these difficult
times was also honoured by political leaders: "The tremendous interest in
this year´s transport logistic is a positive signal for the entire sector. A
very clear impetus is coming from this event and this place – and that is just
what we need," said Germany´s Minister of Transport, Wolfgang Tiefensee,
at the official opening of the exhibition.
Tiefensee´s counterpart in the Netherlands, Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings,
concurred: "The expansion experienced by transport logistic is sending an
important sign: it is giving us hope again in tough times. This event is
without doubt the largest trade fair in this sector."
This view was also shared by the exhibitors and visitors at transport
logistic 2009. A survey conducted by tns Infratest showed that 70 percent of
the exhibiting companies and 58 percent of the trade visitors were expecting
the economic situation to improve in the coming two years. Michael Kubenz, President
of Germany´s forwarding and logistics association, Deutscher Speditions- und Logistikverband (DSLV), and
Chairman of the Advisory Board of transport logistic, commented:
"transport logistic 2009 is giving us real encouragement. It is sending
valuable signals and providing impetus for the future of our industry."
Although companies are currently restricting travel by their employees,
the exhibition nevertheless attracted around 48,000 visitors, which is
the same
number as in the logistics boom year of 2007. The exhibitors noted in
particular the high quality of the company representatives and found
that
discussions with customers were more intensive than ever before. The
fact that
over one third of the visitors came from the forwarding industry and
trade was
rated positively by the exhibitors. Birgit Kastner-Simon,
Division Manager Corporate Marketing at Dachser: "Once again transport
logistic has proven to be a real highlight for the sector and the
forwarding business. Particularly in times like these, the importance
of such a wide-ranging communication platform increases enormously.
Very good contacts, lots of new leads and lots of valuable information
– those were our findings at the fair." Christian
Marnetté, Deputy Member of the Sales & Marketing
Management at Kühne + Nagel, added: "We achieved a new contacts
record and
the quality of visitors was very high. In our company transport
logistic gets
the attention of the top management – every day there are
managing directors
here at the stand."
After Germany, the top ten countries of origin among
the visitors were, in this order: Austria,
the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland,
the Czech Republic,
France, Poland, Great Britain, Hungary
and Belgium.
32 percent of the trade visitors came from abroad. Which meant the proportion
of trade visitors from outside Germany
was slightly up on last time. Monika Ribar, President of Panalpina
Worldtransport: "The location of Germany
is a strong country for logistics in Europe.
transport logistic goes beyond that – it crosses all borders. That is especially
important for the sector and it is what makes the fair what it is." Dr
Andreas Otto, Product and Sales Director at Lufthansa Cargo also sees it this
way: "When I see how many customers are here and above all who is here,
and how much positive energy there is around, then I am already certain that
this has been a worthwhile investment."
A total of
1,760 companies from 55 countries put on their presentations in the exhibition
halls – a rise of eleven percent when compared to the last event. On display
was a wide range of innovations and services for intelligent and
environmentally friendly management of the worldwide flow of goods. Among the
exhibitors, too, there was a strong international presence, at 41 percent. Klemens Rethmann, Chairman of Rhenus Logistic:
"We really enjoyed the time at transport logistic because for a change, we
heard nothing about the crisis here. The trade fair is a great platform for
intensifying contacts, forging new ones and getting to know new customers. And
very productive business can result from that. This is also the place where you
can meet competitors and international customers from all over the world."
The
conference programme at transport logistic 2009 and the trade conferences Air
Cargo Europe, marilog and Eurasia were very
much in demand. The participants made use of the programme of over 30 further
trade events to find out about entrepreneurial strategies for overcoming the
crisis, technologies such as RFID, innovative customer-service concepts, growth
markets such as Turkey, Brazil and Croatia, and green logistics.
"The forums gave the sector not just information, but also valuable
impetus. Green logistics, for example, has now been grasped as a real
challenge," explained Professor Dr Uwe Clausen,
Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics.
The next transport
logistic takes place from 10 to 13 May 2011. Further information: www. transportlogistic.de
About
Messe München International (MMI) Messe München International
(MMI) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair organisers. It organises around
40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries.
Each year over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two
million visitors from more than 200 countries take part in the events in Munich. In addition, MMI
organises trade fairs in Asia, Russia,
the Middle East and South America. With six
subsidiaries abroad – in Europe and in Asia –
and with 66 foreign representatives serving 89 countries, MMI has a truly
global network.
Press contact:Petra
Gagel
Tel.: +49 89 / 9 49-20244
Fax: +49 89 / 9 49-20249
e-mail:
petra.gagel@messe-muenchen.de17d/MarComGB1/pet
