Exhibitors talk of record demand at bauma 2016

Many exhibitors at 386 bauma 2016 are said to have enjoyed record orders – with around 580,000 visitors from 200 countries having attended the world’s biggest construction equipment trade fair in Munich, Germany.

A total of 3,423 exhibitors from 58 countries showcased their new and latest products and innovations across a record 605,000m² of exhibition space at the 5655 Messe München trade fair center from 11-17 April.

Klaus Dittrich, chairman & CEO of Messe München, said: “The response from the participants this year was amazing. The visitors at bauma always come looking to invest, but this year the exhibitors’ order books filled up much faster than expected. Many exhibitors are talking about a record level of demand at bauma 2016. And that is an extremely positive sign in this current uncertain climate.”

Johann Sailer, chairman of the 4293 VDMA Association for Construction Machinery and Building Material Machines, said: “bauma is the ideal platform for presenting innovative new developments, because it has a big impact in the industry around the world. Again in 2016 the world’s largest show of construction machinery will deliver impetus for further growth in our sector.”

Visitor numbers at bauma 2016 were up 9% compared to bauma 2013. After Germany, the top ten countries of origin among the visitors were Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, UK, Sweden, the Russian Federation, Poland and the Czech Republic. Of the exhibition’s 3,423 exhibitors, 1,263 were from Germany and 2,160 from abroad. Exhibitors from outside Germany accounted for 63% of the total—higher than ever before.

Stefan Heissler, a member of the Board of Directors of 439 Liebherr-International, said: “bauma 2016 was a tremendous success for Liebherr. We received many orders from a wide variety of different markets. In some segments our expectations were even exceeded.”

Michael Heidemann, vice-chairman of the Management Board of Zeppelin, added: “That bauma 2016 has once again shown everyone that it does indeed boost innovation and it has lived up to its reputation for being the leading trade fair.”

Jürgen and Stefan Wirtgen, managing partners in the 475 Wirtgen Group, were also delighted with bauma 2016. “bauma as the leading trade fair has always been a kind of barometer for the industry and from the start it had a very special significance for our company. Our presentation at this year’s bauma is the most successful so far in the history of the company.”

The mining section at bauma was also very positive about their exhibition experience.

Erwin Schneller, managing director of 1736 SBM Minerals, said: “bauma is very international. We had visitors from Chile to Canada, from China to Russia, from Africa to Norway. My personal highlight was that we signed up some unexpected sales at the show.”

Commenting on what was this 31st edition of the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines, Construction Vehicles and Construction Equipment, Alexander Schwörer, managing director of 454 Peri, said: “For us bauma 2016 was a tremendous success. We are very satisfied with the response and with the high quality of the trade visitors.”

Meanwhile, John L. Garrison, the recently appointed CEO & president of the 3652 Terex Corporation, said: “Every three years bauma offers us the unique opportunity to meet with customers from around the world. As the largest trade show in our industry, it is a good opportunity to showcase new products and services.”

And Masatoshi Morishita, managing director & CEO at 436 Komatsu Europe, added: “We make use of the attention bauma attracts to present our innovations. This event is a milestone for the industry. It’s not only Komatsu that tries to get certain machines ready in time for bauma. This trade show really drives the entire industry forward.”

The next bauma takes place 8-14 April 2019 in Munich.