“Achieving Success in Organizing Exhibitions depends on bringing the right mix of Buyers to Exhibitions” – V. Anbu
V. Anbu, Director General & CEO, IMTMA, talks with TFT in a one on one. He shares his thoughts about things related to the upcoming “19th Edition of IMTEX 2019.”
TFT – Can you tell us about the upcoming IMTEX 2019?
VA – Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) is organizing the 19th edition of IMTEX and 21st edition of concurrent Tooltech at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bengaluru from 24 – 30 January 2019. It is a significant moment for IMTMA as well as the Indian machine tool industry as the exhibition which began on a small scale in 1969 in Bombay now completes 50 years. IMTMA has built a new hall (Hall 5) and with the add-on to BIEC infrastructure we are able to offer an exhibition space of around 80,000 square metres. IMTEX 2019 & Tooltech 2019 will be the largest ever in IMTEX history as it will be held in a bigger area.
Commemorating 50 years journey IMTMA has added two Special Pavilions on ‘Factory of the Future’ – Industry 4.0 and ‘Additive Manufacturing’ at IMTEX 2019 & Tooltech 2019. The pavilion on Industry 4.0 will showcase the digital revolutions that are currently underway in manufacturing. The expo on Additive Manufacturing will bring to manufacturing fraternity the latest developments in additive manufacturing.
IMTEX 2019 & Tooltech 2019 Highlights:
- Around 80,000 square metres of exhibition space.
- 6 Exhibition Halls.
- 7 Country-group participation.
- 23 overseas countries participation.
- Special Pavilions on “Additive Manufacturing” and “Industry 4.0”.
- Experience Zone (Depicting IMTEX 50 years’ journey).
- Concurrent ‘Tooltech’ showcasing a range of cutting tools, tooling systems, machine tool accessories, metrology as well as CAD & CAM software, as a concurrent fair.
- International Seminar on Machining Technologies focusing on advancements in machining technologies which will be held on 23 January 2019.
- i2 Academia Pavilion which will connect institutions with industry.
- Connect which will join companies with students on a common platform to source talent for machine tool industry.
- Jagruti which will connect students from various cities with institutions.
- A Buyer-Seller meet jointly organised by EEPC India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, and IMTMA which will give a platform for companies to sell machines and explore mutual business opportunities.
TFT – What is the main reason of organising this exhibition? What objective does it hold?
VA – IMTMA’s primary objective of organizing IMTEX is to acquaint the manufacturing industry with the latest technologies. IMTEX provides a platform for visitors from various industries to see and experience the technologies through LIVE machines. The exhibition provides a forum for engineers, technocrats, industrialists, policymakers, etc. to take the right decisions. Vice versa IMTEX is also a platform for Indian manufacturing industry to display their R&D and innovative strengths to the outside world and in the process explore possibilities of tie-ups, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, etc.
TFT – How many exhibitors are participating? Are the participants only India or International as well? What is the exhibitor profile for this show?
VA – Over 1000 exhibitors from 23 countries (Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States of America) are participating. We have group participation from 7 countries (China, Germany, Korea, Spain, Taiwan, UK and USA), which are amongst the top machine tool manufacturing countries of the world. More than 1000 machines will be on LIVE display.
Exhibitors will showcase latest available technologies such as 3D printing machines, plastic 3D printers, IoT devices, sensors and components, Industry 4.0 integrated systems, Industry 4.0 robots, and many more. Exhibitors will also display turning machines, CNC multi-function machines, drilling machines, boring machines, milling machines, machining centres, grinding machines, special purpose grinding machines, manufacturing automation, machine tools for educational purposes, and many more.
TFT – What are the footfall expectations and who should visit this exhibition?
VA – IMTMA expects a footfall of around 1,00,000 visitors for this show. The manufacturing fraternity representing industries such as automobiles, auto components, aerospace, defence, railways, heavy engineering, capital goods, medical equipment manufacturing, power, and various other industries must visit the show. The exhibition is also an opportunity for students and young engineers interested in building a career in manufacturing as they would get to know more about the machine tool industry from close quarters.
TFT – What kind of innovation is going to be introduced at IMTEX this year and how will it be beneficial for the stake holders?
VA – As a move to provide an impetus to manufacturing we have introduced two new technology seminars on Additive Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 which will enable participants to learn more about these digital technologies which are driving manufacturing.
TFT – Can you elaborate for our readers about the International Seminar and the Expos on Additive Manufacturing and Factory of the Future?
VA – IMTMA will organize an International Seminar on Machining Technologies (ISMT 2019) on 23 January 2019, one day prior to IMTEX at BIEC. Tim Shinbara from The Association of Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), USA will deliver the keynote address. The seminar will have concurrent sessions on Machining & Tools, Large Parts Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, R&D/ Emerging Technologies, and Automation & Industry 4.0. Overall, the seminar will have 18 speakers will share their expertise on global trends in machining technologies.
Factory of the Future: An Expo on Industry 4.0: A platform to witness and experience all facets of implementation of Industry 4.0 including the sensors, analytics, connectivity, automation, smart machines, digitization, internet of things, cyber security, and many more.
Additive Manufacturing Expo: The pavilion on Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing Machines will familiarize the manufacturing fraternity with the techno-commercial advantages of additive manufacturing. The pavilion will have zones focusing on various aspects such as innovations in product development, engineering and manufacturing, and products developed through additive manufacturing.
TFT – Lastly, what will be your advice for organising or sustaining a successful show?
VA – Today, achieving success in organizing exhibitions depends on bringing the right mix of buyers to exhibitions. Technology plays an important role in connecting exhibitors directly with visitors. The advent of social media and digital marketing have resulted in connecting show organizers with the right set of people having same interests and this is very crucial in today’s world.