Organisers are sure that the upturn in business seen in some sectors will make SMOPYC 2011 an "outstanding event." The 15th event, being held at Zaragoza Trade Fair Centre, Spain, from 5-9 April, will boast nine halls (100,000m2 of covered space) and 200,000m2 of outdoor space to display heavy machinery, along with demonstrations and sponsored areas.
When it was last held in 2008, SMOPYC (www.smopyc.com), the International Show of Public Works, Construction and Mining Machinery, attracted over 2,000 exhibitors and 101,000 visitors with an exhibition area of nearly 154,000m2, the best figures in its history.
The show is structured around various divisions by sectors and these include auxiliary equipment for building elevation and handling; components, spares, accessories and services; earthmoving and roads, compacting, drilling, lifting and handling; industrial vehicles and transport; aggregates and concrete; international meeting point and services; demonstration area; multi-sectoral outdoor area; and exhibitors and visitors' parking.
"Efforts have been redoubled as regards the internationalisation of companies through intensive foreign promotion and the programme features numerous trade meetings between countries. In addition, overall improvements have been achieved both with respect to facilities at the fair and as regards the infrastructure and services that support it," says the organisers.
"Exhibitors will include practically all the leading companies in sectors related to earthmoving, roads, aggregates, concrete, and lifting and handling." According to the organisers, an example that highlights this is the presence of Barloworld Finanzauto Caterpillar, which will present its entire range at the fair and will have exclusive occupation of the 6,000m2 of Hall 5.
And Liebherr Group's 3,600m2 stand will boast 16 exhibits including a world premiere for its 85 EC-B 5 FR.tronic flat-top crane, which has a maximum load capacity of 5,000kg.
For the SMOPYC event participation fees have been reduced by up to 43% and all efforts have also been made to reduce other costs such as accommodation and transport, through agreements with hotels, the national rail company (RENFE), and airlines.
"All these efforts seek to achieve a single main objective: to accompany and serve the sector on the road to recovery.
"The current situation makes internationalisation a must for companies. In many cases this is the only viable strategy for consolidation and growth.
"SMOPYC has already shown itself to be an excellent tool for company internationalisation by means of the different trade missions organised within the framework of the fair. For this edition, trade missions have been organised with the markets of Algeria, Russia, Mexico, Austria, Brazil, Angola, China, the Middle East, Morocco, Poland, Panama and Portugal. In addition, ANMOPYC (Spanish Manufacturers Association of Construction and Mining Equipment) has organised reverse trade missions with the visit of over 100 international companies." There will also be an extensive programme of interviews organised under the auspices of the Enterprise Europe Network project with the cooperation of CREA (Employers Confederation of Aragón), and this will feature approximately 800 business meetings on 4 and 5 April with customised schedules for exhibiting companies. The meetings will boast the participation of over 200 buyers from 40 countries.
SMOPYC 2011 awards
Award winners in the SMOPYC 2011 Technological Innovation Awards have been chosen.
In the New developments in Machinery section the Gold Award goes to
SEBHSA gained the Bronze Award for its Robot pump for the projection of concrete.
In the Innovation in Equipment, Components and Auxiliary Means,
In the services applicable to building activity, a special mention goes to
