11/10/2009
HEADLINES
SHOW NEWS: Fastener Fair Stuttgart Sets Records

The number of exhibiting companies rose 43% for the 2009 Fastener Fair Stuttgart.

There were 625 exhibiting companies and the two 10,000 sq meter halls were sold out.

“The hefty increases in both exhibitors and attendees, amidst still challenging economic conditions, shows the resilience of the fastener and fixing sector,” show organizer Jerry Ramsdale reflected. “It also shows the unique opportunity Fastener Fair Stuttgart presented to re-establish key trade links across the global fastener market.”

There were 3,783 visitors and 2,210 exhibit personnel at the third staging of Fastener Fair Stuttgart. The biennial trade show was first held in 2005.

Visitors came from all over the world, with 83% from the 27 countries of the European Union. At 38.3%, the largest proportion came from Germany. Around two-thirds of visitors described themselves as fastener distributors or wholesalers, a similar proportion to previous shows.

More than three quarters (76.5%) of visitors told us they have purchasing authority and 43% described themselves as directors or senior management.”

The 625 exhibiting companies represented 33 countries, with 57% coming from Europe. The number of German, Italian and Asian companies exhibiting was up over 50% in each case.

Ramsdale noted that the Netherlands was up by 25%, Spain by 33% and Poland by 50%.

“There were double the number of exhibitors from Turkey, and we were pleased to welcome Austrian, Hungarian and Slovakian companies for the first time,” Ramsdale pointed out.

The fourth Fastener Fair Stuttgart takes place in autumn 2011, and the dates will be confirmed shortly. The second Fastener Fair Budapest will be September 6-7, 2010.

U.S. Distributors Find Differences at European Show

Quickly upon entering the new Stuttgart convention center two North American distributors noticed differences between Fastener Fair Stuttgart and traditional U.S. trade shows.

Distributors Jim Ruetz of All Fasteners and Kevin Queenin of Specialty Bolt & Screw went to the October 7-8, 2009 show in Germany.

“There was an interesting enigma between the booths – many of the European booths were large and had tables set up for food and drink and there was a lot of social activity, particularly around lunchtime where visitors actually sat and had lunch or a beer with the owners of the exhibiting companies,” Ruetz noted.

Ruetz and Queenin went to Fastener Fair Stuttgart for “a wider view of the world supply base as some of our U.S. customers continue to look at or are setting up operations in Eastern Europe and Asia.”

They were especially interested in Eastern European countries, Russia and India. And they wanted to meet with current suppliers who may not exhibit in North America.

Ruetz estimated that he knew about 50 suppliers of the more than 600 exhibiting companies. In the U.S. he usually recognizes 70% or more.

Ruetz noted that Asian exhibitors found the Europeans stopping by booths “more reserved and standoffish” than Americans. “I interpret this to mean that if you talk the language and are part of the European community, it’s a very social affair; if you’re not part of the European community and maybe don’t speak the language, they tend to be more standoffish. The Asians were happy to see us because whether we knew them or not we’d stop and talk.”

Ruetz found that “European booths worked harder to pull individuals into the booth from the aisles” than in North America.

Ruetz and Queenin found the average European booth is larger than “we typically would see in the United States at any of the shows.”

A different layout with an “A-B-C format” instead of numbered aisles took a day to get used.

With Stuttgart Messe located adjacent to the airport rather than downtown, it was an all-business setting.

“There were very few distractions at this show,” Ruetz said. “I’d say if anything the distraction might have been people having dinner and drinks in the booths themselves, but certainly distractions away from the show didn’t exist.”

Exhibitors “were very surprised to see Americans in attendance. We were definitely in the very small minority.”

Queenin and Ruetz together have more than 60 years of fastener experience and estimated they ran into only about a dozen U.S. attendees they knew.

“Considering the exchange rate balance in favor of the United States for exporting purposes, we were surprised that there weren’t more U.S. companies in attendance. Brighton Best and Earnest Machine were two companies they recognized.

Queenin attended the 2002 International Hardware Fair in Køln (Cologne) – where he found fasteners “maybe 10%” of exhibits while they were 95% of Fastener Fair Stuttgart. Fastener booths at Cologne were intermingled with plumbing, electrical and other hardware exhibitors.

“Fastener Fair Stuttgart was much more in line with the focus on products and items that we are looking for and comparable to what we see at the U.S. fastener shows,” Queenin noted. Cologne had many more American companies attending.

“We found a number of new potential sources that we would not have had the opportunity to see in the U.S. shows,” Ruetz said. “Some of the companies are coming from emerging areas and may help us if the anti-dumping legislation gains momentum.”

They also learned about European suppliers “should more of our customers look at European operations in the future.”

Ruetz noticed that the attire at the show was more formal than in the U.S. “I’d say less than 15% were not wearing suits and ties” – including Americans Ruetz and Queenin.

“We can’t verify this, but we felt that there were many more executive level people visiting the booths than the buyers themselves.”

Outside the convention, Ruetz also commented on the European rail system that got them to Fastener Fair Europe. “We landed at the Frankfurt Airport and took a one-hour train ride to Stuttgart. We arrived in Stuttgart the night before and stayed downtown.” It was a short 15-minute train ride out to the show near the Stuttgart airport. “I wish U.S. trains were as comfortable and dependable as the Europeans trains.”

• Chemofast Anchoring GmbH was draped with a white strand “curtain” two stories high surrounding its booth. There was a bar and conference tables. Just the kitchen had more space than a 10×10 booth at U.S. shows.

• Schäfer + Peters GmbH routinely had 50 people standing or sitting at 12 tables. Showcases were revolving displays of fasteners.

• BD Bulloneria Dadi Forma-Tech displayed their fasteners in jewelry boxes.

• Schürmann & Hilleke displayed a cactus with fasteners as needles.

• Blue and white umbrellas created almost a roof over the Alexander PAAL GmbH stand.

• King S.p.a. featured a café and private offices for conferences. They also had posters picturing employees on the walls.

• Throughout the show Simpson Strong-Tie/Liebig demonstrated its Quickdrive auto-feed system.

• WASI’s red arches and color-coordinated tables and chairs and raised floor attracted attention.

• Pühl Stanztechnik had three flat screen televisions, beverage service and the conference areas were behind obscure glass walls.

• Reyher Nchfg. GmbH & Co. KG stood out with it’s yellow with black lettering backlit sign. Meinolf Rickert e.K.’s sign was revolving. Also using backlit signs were BIAT GmbH & Co. KG and Reisser Schraubentecknik GmbH.

• Brighton Best International had 200 sq meter blow-up globes showing their 32 world locations.

• Bufab Group had two levels and an aquarium.

• Truhal & spol. v.o.s. Truhylar a spol., v.o.s. created booth walls with boxes of fasteners.

• Güldner Sonderschrauben’s exhibit appeared to be a ship container with doors opened to display fasteners.

• Graewe GmbH & Co. KG had a flatscreen monitor showing its manufacturing process.©2009 GlobalFastenerNews.com

Related Links:

• Fastener Fair