transport logistic 2011 tops the 50,000 mark for visitors

May 15, 2011 Warehousing Ireland Materials Handling 0

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The world´s largest trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain management, which closes today in Munich, has turned in not only an increase in the number of exhibitors – it has also attracted more visitors than ever before: over 51,000 trade visitors from 134 countries came to the fair. “The atmosphere in the halls was exceptionally business-focused and positive, very forward-looking really. The sector finds itself in a strong upwards trend,” said Eugen Egetenmeir, Managing Director of Messe München.

Visitor numbers to transport logistic increased by seven percent, and most of that rise was accounted for by visitors from outside Germany. In total the number of countries of origin represented among the visitors rose to 134 this year, from 112 last time. “transport logistic 2011 is more international than ever before. It is a unique opportunity to meet up not only with customers and friends but also with our competitors,” said Monika Ribar, CEO of Panalpina Welttransporte.

Transport policymakers were also impressed by the international scope of the fair. “In 2011 transport logistic has lived up to its reputation: it is the largest and most important transport and logistics fair worldwide. I am deeply impressed by the many exhibitors who are taking part, particularly from abroad. All parts of the world are represented here,” said Germany´s Transport Minister, Dr Peter Ramsauer, at the opening event.

His colleague from Luxembourg, Jeannot Krecké, Minister of the Economy and Foreign Trade, concurred: “This trade fair is really tremendous. It would have taken a long time travelling to see all the CEOs that I have met here. You really do meet everyone here, in particular all the top people in the logistics business.”

This opinion was also shared by the exhibitors – and what was more important to them was that in Munich they could get a real sense of the economic upturn. “The halls were amazingly full, our meeting rooms were booked up all the time. Business is picking up again and we in the logistics sector are the first to really feel the recovery in industry,” said Katja Herbst, Member of the Divisional Board of DHL Paket Deutschland Vertrieb.

Klemens Rethmann, CEO of Rhenus, agreed: “Our expectations of transport logistic, the leading international trade fair, were more than fulfilled. We were delighted at the large number of visitors, particularly those from abroad. The audience here was top class and they came along to Munich not only to gather information but also to discuss and take decisions on investment.”

After Germany, the top ten countries of origin for visitors were (in this order:) Austria, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Belgium, Poland, Great Britain and Hungary.

The eight exhibition halls and the open-air site were closely packed this year, with 1,893 companies from 59 countries. These figures for the exhibitors also represent a seven-percent rise over the last event. Most of the rise of around 130 companies came as a result of increased international interest. The international proportion among the exhibitors thus rose to around 44 percent. The strongest rises were recorded from the Baltic and Benelux countries, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

The commercial vehicles sector was back again in 2011, following the crisis year in 2009 when it had been almost entirely absent at the fair. Markus Lipinsky, Managing Director of Daimler FleetBoard: “The broad international scope of the fair, coupled with the professionalism and large number of trade visitors, are what make transport logistic a real communications highlight for us. It is an important milestone as regards the future orientation of our growth activities.”

The conference programme at transport logistic 2011, which featured the trade conferences Air Cargo Europe and marilog, attracted more than 4,300 participants. Most interest focused on the subject of ‘green logistics’. “transport logistic 2011 chose exactly the right emphasis. The general consensus in the forums was that ecology and economy can go hand in hand. Because when you have environmental benefits as well as price and cost advantages, then everyone wins: the climate, the companies and the customers,” was the conclusion of Thomas Hailer, Managing Director of Deutsches Verkehrsforum; Mr Hailer organised one of the ‘green’ panel discussions.

The next transport logistic takes place from 4 to 7 June 2013.

Further information: www.transportlogistic.de

Exhibitor Testimonials transport logistic 2011

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