Congrats on yet another successful IMTEX. What is the secret behind IMTMA's continuous and consistent success?
IMTEX 2016 is a well-established show today as it has evolved over the years. One of the key factors is it is a very important B2B platform for both manufacturers and buyers. IMTEX has become a very efficient ecosystem today to support any activity for the machine tool industry as a whole. IMTEX is very successful as it has attracted 22 countries in addition to key players from India. There is a tremendous potential for companies to showcase their products in live condition.
While trade exhibitions like IMTEX and IMTEX Forming are definitely business platforms for buying and selling machines, would you say these shows have also acquired a new dimension of technology exchange and transfer through collaborations / JVs / M&As?
Absolutely! If you look at IMTEX while it is being recognised for Business 2 Business, what is important is the degree of maturity and level of activity that is taking place today. In this year's IMTEX, there was a need for the Industry and Academia to come together and showcase what they have to offer to each other. So, over 40 colleges across South participated at this year's edition. Not only this, students also came in large numbers to understand the latest offering in terms of technology and innovations and participate in discussions resulting in passing of adequate information across all levels.
Not only this, many companies take this opportunity to announce new partnerships JVs and product launches. IMTEX is the perfect platform for them.
IMTMA is also continuously enhancing its trade shows every year. So what new can we expect at IMTEX 2017?
It has been evolving and the focus for 2017 would be on metal cutting technology solutions. The key aspect for IMTMA to look at now is how to add capacity in terms of infrastructure. There is an additional demand from exhibitors to display their products, technology and innovations and in all likelihood we are expecting a large number to turn up.
Gradually, we are seeing an interest not only from manufacturing companies in India to participate and show case but also from other countries including developing countries in Asia. There is a gradual shift from current level to higher levels as we are witnessing growth.
Furthermore, we are expecting 25 countries to participate in 2017 from the current 22 Countries such as Germany, Japan, Italy, Asia, UK and of course USA apart from all key Indian companies who will be present in 2017.
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