Logimat in Stuttgart: More, more, more

As the "first guest organizer to completely fill the exhibition grounds", according to the Stuttgart trade fair company, LogiMAT 2016 occupied all exhibition halls from 8 to 10 March. 1,280 international exhibitors (+10.2%), almost a quarter of them from 32 countries (+15%) around the world, presented their latest solutions and product developments for intelligent, future-proof intralogistics on 95,400 square meters of exhibition space (+12%) in eight halls. The growth in the number of international exhibitors and trade fair visitors is a sign of the high level of attention that LogiMAT is also attracting abroad, explains Kazander.

The trade fair management is "extremely satisfied" that the double-digit growth in exhibitors and exhibition space has been accompanied by corresponding visitor interest. According to figures from the Basel-based market research institute, more than one in three trade fair visitors (35.7%) had to travel more than 300 kilometers to attend. Over 20 percent of trade visitors came from abroad. Of these, 69% came from EU countries, 17% from the rest of Europe and 14% from overseas, Asia and the Middle East. More than 88 percent of the trade visitors described themselves as decision-makers from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Around 40 percent of trade visitors came with specific investment requirements, with one in five placing corresponding orders at or after LogiMAT. In summary, 78.3 percent of LogiMAT visitors gave the intralogistics trade fair the school grades 1 and 2 in their overall assessment.

In many cases, LogiMAT 2016 was used by exhibitors as an exclusive presentation area for their new products and innovations, which often already showed concrete solutions in the context of the megatrends Industry 4.0, Internet of Things and e-commerce. "This confirms LogiMAT's reputation as an information platform, working trade fair and trend barometer for developments in intralogistics," says Dr. Petra Seebauer, Managing Director of EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH. "What you don't find at LogiMAT doesn't exist yet," adds Kazander.

Despite the fact that all exhibition halls were occupied for the first time, LogiMAT 2016 was fully booked. By 2018, the completion date for the new Hall 10 at the Stuttgart Exhibition Center, the number of exhibitors will have to increase further in the existing exhibition space. "We want to offer trade visitors not only size, but also variety and attractive solutions," summarizes Exhibition Director Kazander. "Whatever the future development of LogiMAT, it will remain the trade fair for short distances, compact information and direct comparison of international providers for efficient intralogistics."

LogiMAT 2017 will take place from March 14 to 16, 2017.

Statements from the exhibitors

Significance of LogiMAT

"LogiMAT is becoming increasingly important and has established itself as one of the world's leading trade fairs for the industrial truck industry. LogiMAT has a high priority for Crown."

Ken Dufford, Vice President Europe, Crown

"For us, LogiMAT is the most important intralogistics trade fair in Germany." Hagen Schumann, Head of Sales and Consulting, Klinkhammer Group

"The importance of LogiMAT increases from year to year because the trade fair has developed from a purely German-speaking trade fair into an international event." Heimo Robosch, Executive Vice President, KNAPP

"From our point of view, LogiMAT is the best place to showcase the innovative strength of European intralogistics companies." Pano Papamanoglou, Chief Technology Officer, Körber Logistics Systems

"LogiMAT has the character of a 'working trade fair', which means that visitors come to the stand with specific questions and are looking for innovative solutions. This has often resulted in orders for our sales partners." Tobias Zierhut, Head of Product & Service Marketing, Linde Material Handling

"At LogiMAT, intralogistics optimizers will be presenting a wide range of solutions for overcoming future challenges. From automation to software, international trade visitors will find a compact overview in a direct comparison of international providers. With this in mind, LogiMAT is one of the most important trade fair dates for PSI Logistics as an exhibitor." Dr. Giovanni Prestifilippo, Managing Director, PSI Logistics

"Over the years, LogiMAT has developed into one of the most important meeting places for the material handling industry in Europe. An event like LogiMAT serves a purpose other than pure product information: namely as a forum to talk about new developments and to meet customers and business partners." Bengt Kristiansson, Managing Director UniCarriers Germany GmbH and Vice President Sales & Marketing, UniCarriers Europe