24 September 1998: Glasstec “98, which ended its five-day run on 5 September, reported that over 50% of the more than 45,000 visitors from 68 countries hold a senior management position within their …
24 September 1998: Glasstec “98, which ended its five-day run on 5 September, reported that over 50% of the more than 45,000 visitors from 68 countries hold a senior management position within their company. The innovative potential of glass as a high-tech material was the central theme of the international trade fair for machinery, equipment, applications and products. Organizers of the fair said that this year, Glasstec reconfirmed its status as the world“s top event for the sector, as demonstrated by the high proportion of foreign exhibitors (58%) and visitors (48%), and that the rise in the total percentage of North and South American visitors to 16% was particularly encouraging. Glasstec organizers also reported that visitors were interested above all in machinery and processes for glass processing and finishing (50%), information on glass manufacturing and production technology (42%), as well as glass products and applications including artistic glassworking and processing techniques (35%). The “glass technology live” special show was a major crowd-puller again this year. The 3,000 sq m display of glass projects demonstrated some of the new potential applications for glass in architecture. The five-day Trade Symposium also reportedly attracted a big audience. “The Asian crisis has had very little impact on us. We did register slightly fewer visitors from Asian countries, but all the top brass were there,” said Alfons Reichert, chairman of the Association of German Glass Machinery and Plant Manufacturers within the German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers Association (VDMA). Reichert also said that VDMA was impressed by the consistently high level of decision-making authority of Glasstec visitors. The Glass Industry and Mineral Fibre Industry Federation also reportedly gave a highly favourable appraisal. “Despite the slight drop in visitor numbers (1996: 48,000), business was strong at the fair. Deals were signed with domestic and foreign customers, and many useful contacts were forged,” said chairman Friedrich Klopotek. The Federal Association of German Glazing Guilds (BIV) – the third sponsor association represented at Glasstec was also extremely satisfied with the outcome of the exhibition, the Glasstec report said. “Our campaign “The glazing trade in dialogue“ received a very positive reception, both from our members and our partners in industry,” said BIV. The next Glasstec is due to take place in October 2000 in Dsseldorf.