June 19, 2007 — The organizers of GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, and NEWCAST report that the 2007 staging of the four expos resulted in an attendance increase of 8% over the 2003 event. Messe Dsseldorf — which organizes the four trade shows for simultaneous presentation every four years — said this year's events (June 12-16) drew more than 77,000 visitors to Dsseldorf.
GIFA is the International Foundry Trade Fair, now having completed its eleventh staging; METEC is the International Metallurgical Technology Trade Fair, in its seventh presentation; and THERMPROCESS is the International Metallurgical Trade Fair, in its ninth staging. NEWCAST, which just completed its second presentation, is the International Castings Trade Fair.
More than 50% of the attendees at the four events were from outside Germany, in particular from France, Italy, and Austria, with a notably higher number of visitors from Asia (and India, in particular) than was recorded in 2003.
Visitor surveys indicate two-thirds of those attending were executives with decision-making authority in their organizations, and the organizers credit this fact for a noteworthy number of contract placements during the event — as well as with the exhibitors stated expectations for increased business following the events.
As for exhibitors, more than 1,700 companies, associations, and research institutes from 50 nations took part in the four events. Of all those exhibiting at GIFA, 58% were from countries other than Germany, led by Italian, British, and American firms. Among the METEC exhibitors, 56% were from beyond Germany, especially from China, Italy, and the U.S. At THERMPROCESS, 44% of the exhibitors came from countries other than Germany, most from Great Britain, France, Italy, and the U.S.
Messe Dsseldorf announced plans to coordinate the four events again in 2011, however, the significant rise in the number of exhibitors and visitors to NEWCAST has led to a decision to stage that expo on a two-year cycle (including co-staging with GIFA, METEC, and THERMPROCESS in the synchronous cycle.)
NEWCAST gathers designers, producers, and buyers of castings, and includes a forum on metalcasting technology. A survey of visitors to NEWCAST 07 revealed that a large majority favored more frequent gathers, "in sync with the fast pace of innovations occurring in this sector."
Most of the respondents showed interest, too, in design solutions beyond casting, and as such the next staging of NEWCAST (June 23-25, 2009) will include NEWPART Innovation Parc, to include forged and sintered parts. The 2009 event will be accompanied by the 4th NEWCAST Forum, and by a supporting program of seminars and congresses. The Metals Plaza will be incorporated into the Innovation Parc, offering all steel and nonferrous metal producers, traders, and logistics providers a platform.