2007 SHOW REVIEW
Suppliers from around the globe once again descended on Stuttgart Messe (Killesberg venue), Germany, to be present at 2007's European Automotive Components Expo – the essential event for any automotive exec, purchaser or engineer.
Among the exhibitors this year were BASF, Albis Plastics, GE Sensing, Shell Deutschland, Huber & Suhner and Spal Automotive. As well as featuring big-name players from Europe, the Expo also featured suppliers from the US, Asian and Central American markets, such as Speciality Coating Systems, Pricol and Zhongnan.
One of the many new products on show at European Automotive Components Expo 2007 was the i-Bat, which made its world debut at the Stuttgart Messe (Killesberg Venue). The innovation from IBT provides OEMs with a real-time monitoring system of a car’s battery, which eliminates flat batteries and burnouts.
“The i-Bat helps to take out the unpredictability and frustration out of battery failure. It tells the motorist whether there is, or will be, insufficient power to start the engine next time,” explained IBT director and co-founder, Patrick Dooley.
The next stage for the i-Bat is for it to be put into production. Dooley continued: “We’re looking for a partner to help progress this technology, and European Automotive Components Expo 2007 has certainly thrown up some interesting contacts.”
One of the many new first-time exhibitors at European Automotive Components Expo 2007 was SO F TER, an Italian company that has become a global leader in thermoplastic compounds. “There are many advantages to using this material in automotive applications,” explained Andrea Vivarelli, SO F TER’s TPE division manager. “Compared with traditional metals, such as steel, thermoplastics are lighter and cheaper to use. Thermoplastics can also be reprocessed, but with vulcanised rubber, it can’t be recycled, and this causes problems at the end-of-life stage of products.”
SO F TER was established in 1989; its rubber and plastic raw materials can be used in numerous auto applications, including under the hood.
Visitor reaction:
“This is my first time at the show and I’m looking to make new contacts with component suppliers. This show is really interesting and very useful.”
Toshiyuki Noda, general manager, Mitsubishi Motor R&D
“It’s quite huge. I’m looking around to get an overview – especially sensors, and I’m impressed”.
Klaus Schaeffler, electronics development engineer, BMW Sauber F1 Team
“I’ve come here to look for forging machine parts and rubber components. It’s an interesting show and I have got what I wanted.”
Dieter Honta-Jekel, purchasing director North Europe, GKN Driveline
“It is the first time I have come. For engineers, this is very useful.”
Katsuyuki Asaoka, director German operations, Aisin
Exhibitor reaction:
“During the three days our team had an increasing number of talks at our booth. More than the half of it was categorised A or B, i.e. very good or good contact. We got in touch with OEMs as well as first tier suppliers, which are not yet customers of Kolektor Group. Summarising the three days it was an absolutely successful event for us and Kolektor Group already booked its booth for next year’s show."
Dr. Rüdiger Czolk, Leiter Vertrieb "Neue Produkte", Kolektor Group
“We were first here two years ago and it was a real success: We turned one enquiry into a big contract from a German OEM company. For this year’s event we want to be able to attract the attention of OEMs and Tier 1’s in Europe.”
S T Shrin, assistant vice president for export, Lucas-TVS
“We are here because we want to bring more companies and more R&D activity to Galicia, as well as establish the right connections with the European components industry.”
Jose Carlos Abellas Rosende, commercial manager, CTAG
“This is the first time we are present at this show and we are looking to make contacts.”
Martin Blomacher, business manager, powder injection molding, BASF
“This is our third time at the show, and we feel it gives us presence. It also allows us to get a better idea of the marketplace and establish new contacts.”
Eric Fasselt, international sales manager, Lindenmaier
“We’ve had a high level of interest in our product. We’re amazed at the level of interest. This exhibition – and the type of people that attend it – has made us very confident.”
Patrick J Dooley, director and co-founder, Intelligent Battery Limited
“This show allows us to show ourselves to customers as well as find new customers in new markets. It’s a good show.”
Shujie Ruan, assistant to general manager, Zhejiang Meli Spring
“The quality of the people at this Expo is great.”
Jesus Pinto, investment promoter, Economic Development Council for Sonora
“We have secured some good contacts, which is always a good sign.”
Paulo Perazzi, marketing director, Prysmian
“We had a positive impression of EAC; we established good contacts. I am personally satisfied about selected visitors.”
Luca Mengoli, Meccanica CGA S.r.l.
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