Jerry Ramsdale, Organiser, Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2009
“Nearly 6000 fastener professionals came together for two intensive days in Stuttgart and they were certainly doing serious business,” says Organiser.
Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2009 – the largest dedicated fastener and fixing exhibition ever to be held in Europe – took place over two days in October. A record breaking 625 exhibitors, a 43% increase on the 2007 show, packed the two 10,000 square metre halls, to provide a stunning backdrop for the biggest gathering of fastener professionals in Europe.
“The hefty increases in both exhibitors and attendees, amidst still challenging economic conditions, shows the resilience of the fastener and fixing sector,” says Organiser Jerry Ramsdale. “It also shows the unique opportunity Fastener Fair Stuttgart presented to re-establish key trade links across the global fastener market.”
Almost 6000 fastener professionals
“The show had a real buzz throughout its two days,” says Ramsdale. “That’s not surprising when you consider there were almost 6000 fastener professionals meeting in Stuttgart – 3783 visitors and 2210 stand personnel. And what’s even more encouraging than our record-breaking figures is the feedback from exhibitors, who reported consistently that people were there to do serious business, not just to look.”
Visitors came from all over the world, with 83% from the 27 countries of the European Union. At 38.3%, the largest proportion came from Germany, followed by other major industrialised countries of Europe. Around two-thirds of visitors described themselves as fastener distributors or wholesalers, a similar proportion to previous shows.
“Throughout the show, exhibitors commended the quality of the visitors,” says Ramsdale, “views endorsed by the fact that more than three quarters [76.5%] of visitors told us they have purchasing authority and 43% described themselves as directors or senior management.” While many leading fastener groups, including Würth, Bufab and Berrang, fielded full teams of buyers to maximise their return from the show, it was clear that smaller businesses were able to take full advantage of Stuttgart Messe’s close proximity to the international airport to pack in a full day visiting the exhibits.
Ramsdale says: “We were also very pleased that two-thirds of visitors pre-registered online. It shows that Fastener Fair Stuttgart is now established as a ‘must visit’ for European fastener and fixing professionals.”
International exhibitor representation
The record-breaking 625 exhibiting companies represented 33 countries, with 57% coming from Europe. The number of German, Italian and Asian companies exhibiting was up over 50% in each case. “In addition to the stunning growth from Italy and Germany, most other European countries saw significant growth, too,” says Ramsdale. “For example, the Netherlands was up by 25%, Spain by 33% and Poland by 50%. There were double the number of exhibitors from Turkey, and we were pleased to welcome Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian companies for the first time.”
Ramsdale was particularly delighted with the quality and content of exhibitors’ stands: “Companies made an amazing effort to display themselves and their offerings well,” he said. “Clearly, exhibitors take their investment in Fastener Fair Stuttgart very seriously.” He was also pleased with the success of established features of the event, such as the New Product Showcase, and with new features. “For example, having a dedicated fastener production technology section proved popular with visitors and exhibitors alike,” says Ramsdale. “Exhibitors were telling us before the show ended that their investment had proven more than worthwhile and we have already received several enquiries from machinery manufacturers that didn’t exhibit this time, so we expect this to be a real growth area in 2011.”
All eyes turn to Budapest
The next Fastener Fair Stuttgart takes place in 2011, and the dates will be confirmed shortly. In the meantime, the focus of the international fastener and fixing sector is turning to the second Fastener Fair Budapest, which takes place in Hungary on 6th and 7th September 2010. “The vibrant fastener and fixing industry made the Stuttgart show a record-breaking event,” says Ramsdale, “And all indications are that our central and eastern European show, Fastener Fair Budapest, will be a record-breaker, too!”
Busy aisle at Fastener Fair Stuttgart
