Bauma Conexpo Africa now well established
The leading trade show for construction machinery, building materials machinery, mining machinery, construction vehicles, and construction equipment in Africa has with its third event successfully established itself on the market, signaling the recovery of this industrial sector in the face of regional and economic challenges.
A total of 454 exhibitors from 34 countries and 14,167 visitors attended the international trade show, held from 13 to 16 March in Johannesburg, with 13 % of the visitors from outside South Africa. The top five visiting countries from Africa were Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Mozambique, and Namibia. Delegations from Chile, Israel, and Turkey likewise visited the show. Their participation emphasizes the significance of Bauma Conexpo Africa as the largest event for the region in this industrial sector.
“At the show, a newly awakened optimism could be felt. This development shows the possibilities that this industry offers, despite recent economic challenges,” reported Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München. Petra Kaiser, Senior Director of International Exhibitions & Events of the North American Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), added: “Permanent and committed presence in the region is of utmost importance to utilize the long-term business potential – for which Bauma Conexpo Africa presents the ideal platform.”
Anja Schnieder of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) adds: “South Africa holds the promise of great upward potential, especially in its economy. German companies can as a result take first steps or further develop their market potential by making use of a well-organized platform such as Bauma Conexpo Africa.”
Mixed reaction from international exhibitors
Several exhibitors reported increases in machinery and equipment sales during the four days of the show; the overall reaction nevertheless varied a great deal. Although responses by the majority of domestic suppliers were mostly positive, not every international company was satisfied. Walter Ebeling, Managing Director of Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA) was especially pleased: “The combination of presentation of our own equipment together with the offerings of co-exhibitors, as well as live presentations and catering, surely added to the success. For us, Bauma Conexpo Africa was phenomenal, both in terms of the number of visitors and the volume of specific requests for quotations.”
The statements of German exhibitors ranged from “quite pleasing” (e.g., Franz Ludwig and Habermann) to “quite respectable” (Masa and mbk) and “definitely room for improvement” (Vollert and TopWerk-Group). Other exhibitors from the German-speaking region were, among others, Finke Dosiertechnik, Herrenknecht, Kobra, Progress, Schlüsselbauer, Zenith, and WKB.
The organizers, BC Expo South Africa, Messe München, and AEM, look forward to the next edition of the trade show which, in 2021, will again take place in Johannesburg.
