Exhibition News

The European umbrella organisations as well as major companies of the leading international trade fairs wire® and Tube have spoken out in favour of the decision to continue with plans to hold the trade fair on 7^th – 11^th December 2020 at Düsseldorf Fairgrounds.

In a meeting of the European associations acting as conceptual sponsors of the events in Düsseldorf the decision has now been taken that a commitment to the leading trade fairs from their respective sectors of industry is indispensable despite these challenging times. Personal encounters, one-on-one conversations and the expert exchange at the trade fair stand have never been more important than in the current situation.

“All parties are making an effort to return to a normal course of affairs in spite of the existing Covid-19 measures and risks,” said Dr. Uwe-Peter Weigmann, CEO of WAFIOS AG and President of VDKM.

He added: “We are confident that personal conversations and live demonstrations of machinery offered by a trade fair cannot be replaced by video conferences. This is why WAFIOS will exhibit its latest innovations at the trade fair – albeit on a smaller scale than usual. We are aware that the trade fairs in December will not be comparable to a “normal” wire & Tube. But we expect customers to come and want to be at their service. Since Messe Düsseldorf has shown at the CARAVAN SALON that it can and does implement the necessary hygiene measures to keep risks to a minimum for both exhibitors and visitors, WAFIOS also wants to send a signal with its participation - business must carry on and even in Covid-19 times personal conversations can be had to a limited extent and in a protected setting complying with hygiene rules.”

”Against the backdrop of industries ramping up again we – like many other companies from the sector – continue focusing on sustainable partnerships with our customers,” said Ralf Kappertz, CEO of Maschinenfabrik NIEHOFF GMBH & Co KG and President of IWCEA.

Kappertz emphasised: “Therefore, we want to prove this partnership also in difficult times like these and will walk our talk by making a convincing appearance at the trade fair in Düsseldorf in December – even if different from previous trade fair years.”

“Our industry is synonymous with innovation, sustainability and a long-term orientation. Even though many companies find it difficult to organise and execute a trade fair participation these days, there are still numerous enterprises that speak out in favour of the trade fair dates in December. We will now be doing our utmost to also make this wire and Tube - despite being held under special circumstances - what they have always been: the communication and business platforms of the wire, cable and tube industries,” adds Kappertz.

“The industries need their most relevant sectoral platforms in order to present innovations and meet their business partners again,” confirmed Ferruccio Bellina, CEO of TKT Group Spa and President of the Italian industry association ACIMAF.

Nevertheless, the international situation has to be re-assessed anew every day. “We are aware that in the current situation most visitors will come from Europe to see us and wire and Tube will have a primarily European character in 2020,” said Daniel Ryfisch, project director wire, Tube & Flow Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf.

“We are all the more delighted to send a positive signal to the industries by holding the two events,” added Friedrich-Georg Kehrer, global portfolio director wire, Tube & Flow Technologies.