Fastener Fair Stuttgart Sees 120% Growth in Exhibitors

Fastener Fair Stuttgart Sees 120% Growth in Exhibitors As the latest Fastener Fair Stuttgart ended last month, visitors and exhibitors alike were praising the show, which has grown dramatically in size and stature since the first event in 2005. The statistics speak for themselves: 2005: 198 exhibiting companies / 2000 visitors 2007: 435 exhibiting companies / 3506 visitors (That¡¯s a 120% growth in exhibitors and a 75% growth in visitors) ¡°The industry had been saying for some time that Europe needed a dedicated fastener and fixings show,¡± recalls Organiser Jerry Ramsdale, ¡°and the proof of this is the amazing support there has been for Fastener Fair Stuttgart. What the statistics don¡¯t show is that many buyers now see this as their major buying opportunity ¨C some of the industry¡¯s biggest names sent buying teams to explore the opportunities on offer.¡± The 435 exhibitors covered every part of the industry, principally being: fastener and fixing manufacturers; distributors/wholesalers; and manufacturing technology suppliers. They also represented 37 countries ¨C 57% were from Europe (52% from the European Union), 38% from Asia (mainly Taiwan, China, India and Korea), and the remainder came from North America. What they all had in common was a universal sense after the show that Fastener Fair Stuttgart had been ¡°very good for business¡±. ¡°The secret of Fastener Fair Stuttgart¡¯s success is quite simple,¡± says Jerry Ramsdale. ¡°The industry wants a specialist fair dedicated to the fastener and fixing industry, and that¡¯s what the show delivers ¨C nothing more, nothing less. For exhibitors, this means knowing that pretty well every visitor is a potential buyer or supplier; for visitors it means knowing that everything at the show is worth a visit ¨C offering products, services and profit opportunities directly relevant to their business.¡± So what¡¯s the future for this popular show? Well, it will next take place in October 2009 (exact dates to be announced). And, following the enormous success of this year¡¯s Fastener Fair Stuttgart, the organiser is preparing for further growth, with a move to the recently opened 105,000 m2 Messe Stuttgart trade fair centre near Stuttgart airport.