Visitors and exhibitors alike hailed the second edition of Fastener Fair Italy as a huge success when it took place at the Mico Milano Congressi on 26th – 27th September.
Over 210 exhibitors welcomed a total of 2,700 managers, engineers and buyers, with the first morning of the show particularly busy – with stands and aisles overflowing.
Once again, the Italian fastener sector supported the show with 78% of exhibitors coming from Italy – an increase compared to the 2016 show. Confirming that Fastener Fair Italy is now established as the reference point for the market in this country. Leading Italian exhibitors included Ambrovit SpA, Carlo Salvi SpA, Fratelli Pirovano SpA, VITAL Srl, Bontempi Vibo SpA, SACMA Group and Vipa SpA.
Leading industry associations supported the event and welcomed delegations on their stands, such as the Italian Union of Fastener Manufacturers (UPIVEB), the Italian Union of Fastener Distributors (UDIB) and the Italian Association of Metal Finishing (AIFM).
Joining them were exhibitors from 13 other countries, including Germany – represented by Lederer GmbH and Fastbolt GmbH, Turkey – Teknoform Fasteners and Emek Rivets Co Ltd, Spanish companies – INDEX Fixing Systems and Chavesbao, as well as companies from Slovenia, Denmark, France, India, the UK and the USA.
High visitor quality
The mix of visitors to the show reflected the diversity of markets served by the fastener and fixing industry. The majority of visitors were either wholesalers (24%) or distributors (42%), all playing a vital role in the supply chain to resellers and end users. Around 20% were end users themselves. Fastener and fixing manufacturers accounted for 34% of those attending. In addition, a significant number of visitors – 28% – were foreign, representing 62 countries.
Visitor quality was also noteworthy, with managing directors, partners and board members accounting for 38% of those attending the show. Department heads and senior managers totalled 17% of attendees, while a further 11% were engineers and technicians. Almost 18% of visitors represented the procurement/purchasing department. The most strongly represented industry sectors were the automotive industry, construction, mechanical engineering, hardware, electrical products/domestic appliances, aerospace, agricultural/off highway machinery and furniture manufacturing.
Exhibitors were delighted to welcome high calibre Italian and international visitors, including the science-based technology company 3M Italia, multinational corporation ABB SpA, world’s leading chemical company BASF, top global engineering companies Ansaldo Energia, HILTI Corporation, and Altran Technologies.
Among automotive companies represented by visitors were Ducati Motor Holding, LISI Automotive, and IVECO SpA. Buyers from the well known appliance manufacturers Electrolux and De’Longhi also attended the fair, as did technical specialists from IKEA Components.
In addition, there were visitors from the multinational steel manufacturers ArcelorMittal and Aferpi Steel Company. Local and international representatives of leading fastener distributors and manufacturers, included those from Würth, Fontana Gruppo, Stamperia Carcano Giuseppe, F.lli Mauri, A.Agrati SpA, REYHER, and many others.
Commenting on the success of the event, Olivia Griscelli, exhibition director at organisers Mack Brooks Exhibitions, said: “We were especially pleased to receive very favourable feedback from exhibitors on the quality of visitors to this show. It was also good to see such strong international participation. This strengthens our belief in the many opportunities in the Italian market for the fastener and fixings industry. And with Milan such a dynamic business centre, it is the ideal host city for Fastener Fair Italy.”
Popular seminars
Adding a further important dimension to Fastener Fair Italy was an accompanying programme of technical seminars. These proved highly popular, attracting a total of 175 delegates over the two days. Three sessions provided insights into issues currently affecting the fastener market. These included seminars curated by A.I.F.M. (Associazione Italiana Finiture dei Metalli), ECAP (European Consortium of Anchors Producers) and Kistler Group. Also, selected exhibitors took to the big stage with their most innovative ideas and solutions – the experts from Coventya Group, Atotech Group, Frontline Consulting, and Filtereco Filtration Technologies, presented the latest solutions to the issues concerning the fastener and fixing sector and related industries.
More stand space in 2020
Dates have now been set for the next Fastener Fair Italy, with the third show in the series taking place on 11th – 12th November 2020. The venue will be Fiera Milano City and there has already been very strong demand for stand space. Following the success of the show, some 50 companies have confirmed their participation in Fastener Fair Italy 2020, with around 1,900m² already booked. In response, this next exhibition will occupy a large Pavilion 3 to provide additional stand space.
Additional information on Fastener Fair Italy 2020, including details of exhibition stand options, will be soon available on the show website.
Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007 and over the last 15 years has experienced every facet of the fastener sector - interviewing key figures within the industry and visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the globe.
Will manages the content strategy across all platforms and is the guardian for the high editorial standards that the Magazine is renowned.
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