Whoever is looking for used machines, can find them whenever he wants on Internet platforms. Usetec and the Dealer Association FDM now have a joint website, and in a sense,the fair now lasts for the whole year. §
Autor: Dr. Rolf Langbein
Herr Hess, originally Usetec 2014 was planned to run parallel to the Eisenwarenmesse in Hall 6. What caused you to change the date, and to move to Hall 9?
After asking the exhibitors, we decided early on to hold the fair in May, and most were in favour of Usetec as a “stand-alone” event. The decision to move from Hall 6 to Hall 9 was taken at relatively short notice two months ago. We now have a different and easy-to-find entrance direct from the street. There is moreover an open-air space, admittedly narrow, but with access over the whole width of Hall 9.
Last year some open-air exhibitors were absent because of the Bauma. Now that the area is again available, what do you expect from it?
We have 45 exhibitors of construction machines, agricultural machines and utility vehicles which could well be shown in the open-air area. However, only 8 plan to exhibit outside. The sectors Mobile Machines, Construction Equipment and Agricultural Machines will all be shown in the upper part of the hall close to the open-air area, some inside and some outside. Among agricultural machines, we have the manufacturer Mal Claas as newcomer, with a large stand inside the hall. This will be a very interesting part of the fair.
Last year there were visitors from 104 different countries. Are you worried that the troubles in the Near East and in the East of Europe may result in fewer visitors?
East European countries with a traditionally large number of visitors such as Russia or Belarus are still as interested as ever, but the recent drop in the values of their currencies will present problems. But the demand is still there. We are expecting large delegations from Iraq and Jordan, and now that sanctions have been eased there is more interest in Iran. We also expect more visitors from Turkey than from any other country. No visitors will come from Syria. There will be African delegations from Nigeria, Cameroon and Gambia as well as from Kenia and the Congo.
There are significant changes to the Usetec website. What led to the joint platform with MachineStock. com?
The FDM, the organisation behind Usetec, has been successful for years with its platform MachineStock.com. We as Fair must also convincingly show our products online. Our joint venture with MachineStock enables our exhibitors to enjoy a stronger presence in the market. Customers can now find online used machines over the whole year, as well as being constantly reminded of the fair. We can contact visitors on the website and invite them to come also to the fair, on the principle “you´ve seen pictures in internet, now come to the fair and see them in the flesh, touch them, put your questions to sales staff and technicians”. •
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