A vibrant platform of innovation and networking formed a solid basis for outstanding business opportunities. This was the conclusion drawn by visitors and exhibitors who attended the formnext powered by tct 2017 from 14-17 November. The exhibition and conference drew a total of over 21,492 attendees, representing an increase of over 60 percent and another chapter in formnext’s impressive success story.
On all four days, formnext 2017 cemented its status as a catalyst of innovation in modern production technology and additive manufacturing around the world. Numerous leaders from these industries were on hand to unveil their most prominent products to those in the know. Meanwhile, a total of 470 exhibitors from 33 countries showed off an array of compelling innovations from various areas along the process chain of cutting-edge industrial manufacturing
A key source of inspiration for the global manufacturing industry
“The numbers show just how successful formnext 2017 was: In our third year, the sheer amount of world premieres we hosted, and the huge gains we saw in exhibitors and visitors bolstered formnext’s reputation not only as the industry’s leading exhibition, but as a key source of inspiration for the complete sector,” states Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President for formnext at event organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.
Visitors came away enthusiastic about the exhibition’s dynamics as well as the quality and scope of the exhibits and trade events:
“The groundbreaking growth of this Fair is impressive. There are even more innovative technologies combined with several interesting start-up companies – and there are some real pearls amongst them. I, for example, have discovered a technology, which seemed to be technically unattainable. This discovery now offers us new opportunities for the application of our products in surface analysis”, stated Holger Rübesame, Business Development Manager at Specs GmbH.
Fertile ground for new business and new target groups
The many deals closed on the exhibition floor serve as further evidence of how important formnext has now become in real business terms to the industry. At the same time, its diverse range of supporting events helped stoke interest in additive manufacturing among other target groups, including in mechanical engineering and the mid-sized supply sector.
An extraordinary international presence
In addition, formnext once again underscored its worldwide prominence in drawing 46 percent of its audience from outside of Germany. This year’s attendees included representatives from the world’s leading OEMs and key suppliers from numerous fields of industry, ranging from the aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors to sport and oil and gas.
This led to a high level of visitor traffic throughout the exhibition halls as well as a high quality of talks, much to the delight of the exhibitors in attendance.
“We are more than satisfied because the quality of expert talks is incredibly high and the general quantity excellent. We see ourselves closer to our mid-term goal of expanding the formnext to a leading fair worldwide. I believe that the heart of Additive Manufacturing has been beating in Frankfurt over the last few days and that pleases me no end”, commented Dr. Christoph Schumacher, Department Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications at Arburg and member of the formnext Exhibition Advisory Board.
“The formnext is simply the place to be,” added Dror Danai, Chief Business Officer, XJET. “There are visitors from all over the world and I can come here and meet everyone I need to meet in one place. It’s a fabulous business opportunity. Every year we get more than we need and more than we expect from it.”
Conference features leading speakers from numerous industries
Held on two stages in parallel for the first time this year, the formnext conference focused on both current applications and the future of additive manufacturing on all four days of the exhibition. Leading experts from myriad industries gave 1,028 attendees (in terms of booked day passes) an excellent overview of how AM can be used now and going forward, along with plenty of food for thought that could lead to further developments.
Next year’s edition of formnext powered by tct is scheduled to take place on 13-16 November 2018 in Frankfurt am Main.
Formnext 2017 in figures:
Exhibition space: 28,129 m²
Exhibitors: 470
Visitors: 21,492
Conference participants: 1,028 (booked day passes)
