The 26th International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, EuroBLECH 2022, ended last week after four days of flourishing business. A total of 38,076 trade visitors (FKM audited) from around the world came to Hanover to shape the future of sheet metal working and defy current challenges. This year’s show hosted 1,300 companies from 39 countries on a net exhibition space of 86,136 square metres. A euphoric atmosphere and full order books were the results of a successful comeback of the show.
A closer look at this year’s visitor numbers reveals that a total of 35.944 unique visitors came to the exhibition grounds in Germany. Practically matching the previous edition’s stats, this is an exceptional result, especially given the difficult general conditions. Industry experts from all parts of the world came to the show for shorter but therefore more productive visits.
“It is hard to describe how we’re feeling after giving everything we had in the past four years to make this show possible. We are overwhelmed by the fantastic outcome and proud that EuroBLECH continues its critical role in bringing the global sheet metal working industry together,” says Evelyn Warwick, Exhibition Director of EuroBLECH, on behalf of the organisers Mack-Brooks Exhibitions. “This year’s edition was both special and hugely important for the whole sheet metal working industry. Judged by the exhibition space itself, you can tell as we came pretty close to the record numbers in 2018,” continues Evelyn Warwick.
A total of 62% of exhibitors came from outside of Germany to this year’s show. This represents a further increase in international attendance by 4%. According to the preliminary results of the exhibition survey, this trend continuous throughout the visitors: more than half of the trade visitors (56%) made their way to the event from outside of Germany, making EuroBLECH a truly international exhibition. Major visitor countries, next to Germany, included the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Denmark and France. Furthermore, 37% of all visitors do not attend any other trade show, which is an increase of 10% compared to the show in 2018 and underlines the importance of the event.
As the key marketplace for the industry, EuroBLECH 2022 offered its visitors the opportunity to find solutions for the current challenges in the industry and connects them with businesses from all over the world to help them integrate the latest machinery and software into their manufacturing process. The hot topics this year were digitalisation, sustainability and Industry 4.0. Many of the products and innovations shown at EuroBLECH 2022 have been developed with a focus on cost and resource efficiency.
“The visitors this year meant serious business. Almost every second person entering the gates to EuroBLECH 2022 came with the intention to invest. That’s an increase of 4% compared to the previous edition”, concludes Evelyn Warwick. Both exhibitors and visitors were highly satisfied with the show and their newly established business relations. The visitors praised the comprehensiveness and international range of the products on display, as well as the quality of the exhibition stands and the many live demonstrations of digital processes. The exhibitors appreciated the highly qualified and international audience with its high percentage of decision-makers (80%).
„EuroBLECH is of great importance to us, as it is the leading international show for the sheet metal working industry. It is a truly global event, hence we were able to meet visitors from all over the world, for example Asia and Australia. Our result of the show is a success for Bystronic in these challenging market conditions. – Johan Elster, Chief Sales Officer, Bystronic Group
“We’ve had a fantastic week at EuroBLECH recording a record number of leads. The atmosphere was electric and it was clear to see that customers were ready and excited to be back at EuroBLECH” – Matthew Fowles, Group Marketing Director, LVD Company NV
A great majority of the visitors came from the industry (72%), followed by visitors from trade workshops and services. The most important sectors visitors belonged to included engineering, steel and aluminium construction, sheet metal & products, the automotive industry and its suppliers, iron and steel production and electrical engineering.
EuroBLECH 2022 Presentation Area
In addition to the innovations and numerous live demonstrations at the exhibition stands, attendees were able to appreciate the EuroBLECH 2022 Presentation Area. The new show feature delivered 27 sessions throughout the four exhibition days, offering exciting insight into innovative companies and projects, interesting discussions and valuable networking opportunities.
Date of the next show
Many exhibitors at this year’s show have already announced that they will exhibit again at the next EuroBLECH in 2024, which will take place from 22 – 25 October 2024 at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany.
