Positive signs
The BetonTage in Ulm from 7 to 9 February of this year, was again a great success. Despite partly adverse weather conditions, especially on the opening day, FBF Betondienst GMBH welcomed more than 1,800 participants from 20 nations in the Edwin-Scharff-Haus congress center. The BFT INTERNATIONAL Congress Proceedings and a first impression of the meeting of the European precast concrete industry captured in numerous photos can now be viewed on our Internet pages at www.bft-international.com.
In Ulm, the current positive mood was clearly felt. Internationally active exhibitors in particular reported good economic development, which was also recently confirmed by the VDMA. According to this association, turnover in the German construction and construction-materials industry rose in 2011 by 17 %, to € 12.6 billion. The domestic growth rate in Germany for the current year is expected to be lower than in the preceding year. But international forecasts are optimistic, especially with a view to the BRIC states.
Together with you, we would like to take a look beyond the fringe of our industry, i.e., toward the world’s largest market. On our reading tour we will offer you some insights into the Chinese market: whether as an employee in a concrete plant, as a supplier, or machine builder – in the metropolis of Shanghai an attractive program awaits you from 21 to 29 November. In addition to a visit to the 10th International Conference for Concrete Block Pavers and to bauma China, you have the opportunity to visit a number of precast plants and other highlights in the Shanghai region. Registration deadline for this study trip (including German- and English-speaking tour guides) is 15 April. For more information go to www.bft-international.com/leserreise.
