Despite the currently difficult market environment, more than 180 exhibitors from 22 countries presented the latest products and innovations for glass production, processing and applications to 3,347 trade visitors at the recent staging of GLASSPEX INDIA 2013 - International Exhibition for Glass - Production, Processing, Products - in Mumbai. The event has become established as the glass industry’s leading trade fair for the Indian market.
Exhibitors included such renowned companies as Bottero, DSF Refractories, Emhart Glass, Grenzebach, Saint-Gobain SEFPRO, Shamvik Glasstech, K-bond, Hindusthan National Glass & Industries (HNG) as well as Fosbel, Bystronic, Hegla, Glasproduktions-Service, Techno Trade Links and Zippe.
For Werner M. Dornscheidt, President & CEO of GLASSPEX INDIA organizer Messe Düsseldorf, the Indian subcontinent is of great importance as an event location: “The starting situation of the trade fair is optimal. India is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets and the glass industry is a highly attractive sector. Better livings standards in India have led to increasing demands in the areas where glass is becoming more and more significant as a material.”
Messe Düsseldorf is renowned as the organizer of glasstec, the world’s leading trade fair for the glass industry and brings its expertise to the Indian market. In addition, Messe Düsseldorf has strong cooperation partners for GLASSPEX INDIA: the All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation (AIGMF) and the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), which supported the officially German participation.
S. C. Bansal, President of AIGMF, confirmed that GLASSPEX INDIA 2013 was a resounding success: “GLASSPEX INDIA is an impressive exhibition and technical conference presenting the highlights of the glass industry and offers the opportunity to interact with key members of the industry. I am sure GLASSPEX INDIA will continue to be the ideal platform to showcase new technology, innovation and excellence to promote trade and investment on the Indian subcontinent.”
Sanjay Somany from Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Limited (HNG), added: “I have never participated in so many meetings at any other show.”
During GLASSPEX INDIA 2013, Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Limited (HNG) and Fosbel, (U.S.) formed a partnership. “The goal of this partnership is prolong furnace operating campaigns through the most innovative repair solutions available on the market,” explained Bob Chambers, Senior Global Business Unit Director at Fosbel, Inc.
The VDMA’s participation in GLASSPEX INDIA 2013 resulted in good networking opportunities and promising new contacts and projects: “Germany is one of the most important suppliers of glass engineering technology to India. The relationship between the Indian and the German industry exist since many years. Some German manufacturers of glass machinery and related technologies already produce locally in India.”
According to Jogender Singh, Director of Indotherm Furnace & Engineers: “The organization of the exhibition was excellent. We had a good experience by having large number of visitors. The atmosphere of the event and the preparations for the exhibitors were first-rate.”
Saint Gobain Accuramech agreed: “As a first time exhibitor we had a pleasant experience and had a lot of visitors at our stand.”
Lim Wan Leong from the sales engineering department at Bystronic, summarized: “We participated in GLASSPEX INDIA to explore more business opportunities in India. The new established contacts will help with our future sales.”
Nicolaus Sorg also praised the event: “It was a successful time here in the German booth. Like every time we are very satisfied with the organization of GLASSPEX INDIA. Despite the stagnant market situation in the Indian glass industry we see a great future for the glass producers.”
The 3rd Glass Performance Days India (GPD) was held during GLASSPEX INDIA 2013. The focus was on topics such as glass architecture, flat glass and solar technology – specifically geared to the challenges of the Indian market. On both days, the organizers welcomed high-caliber national and international participants.
At the 10th Conference of the All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation (AIGMF) delegates dealt with “Managing Sustainable Growth” issues and opportunities to develop the Indian glass market.
