The BIEM 2014 motto – “an excellent trade show with big solutions to close big deals” ended with greater innovation, more companies, more products, more visitors and buyers, this year. A total number of 35,500 people, 4.2% more than in the previous edition, visited the 28th International Machine-Tool Exhibition (BIEMH) between 2nd and 7th June. Professionals from 57 countries have tested the quality and capacity of machines, accessories, components and industrial equipment exhibited in the halls of the Bilbao Exhibition Centre.
Xabier Basañez, CEO of BEC, has expressed his satisfaction regarding the high level and excellent response to the exhibition from the professionals visiting the event, “this BIEMH leads the way to recovery for this sector and this trade show. If the economic indicators remain positive, I’m sure we will have an even greater trade show in 2016 with a high technological level exhibition. “The motto “Think Big, Think BIEMH” is still going strong”, stated the highest authority at the BEC.
The most represented countries in terms of visitors to BIEMH were: Portugal, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, Netherlands, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, the US, Chile, Venezuela, Algeria, Morocco, China, India, Taiwan, Australia and the Fiji Islands to name some exotic and faraway countries.
The sectors receiving most attention from visitors were Chip-Removal Machines, Tools & Accessories for Machine-Tools, Metal Forming Machines, Automation, Metrology & Quality Control, Welding, Cutting & Oxy-cutting and Hydraulic & Pneumatic Equipment, among others.
This BIEMH generated an income of 32 million Euros in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a tax revenue of 4.7 million Euro. This figure was broken down as follows: 62.7% as direct costs incurred by exhibitors and visitors in the food and catering sector and 27.2 % as direct costs related to trade show activities. The other 7.5% refers to transport and 0.4% to leisure and cultural activities.
On the other hand, Antxon Lopez Usoz, Chairman of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies (AFM), the event co-organiser, stated at a press conference that this trade show had exceeded the sales expectations of most exhibitors, “expectations have been exceeded. This event has validated the sluggish yet progressive improvement of the domestic market.”
The recently appointed Chairman of the Association of Machine-Tool Importers (AIMHE), Jorge Garcia, also rated this event very positively, “we would have to go back 8 years to see this level of satisfaction regarding the quality and quantity of visitors as well as the level of sales transactions already closed, not to mention prospective deals yet to be made. The future is looking much brighter now”.
With a total number of 1,314 exhibitors from 27 countries, 12% more than in the previous BIEMH, international leading brands, new sectors, almost 800 high-performance machines, 300 news releases and keynote speeches, the 28th Spanish Machine-Tool Biennial Exhibition has not only fulfilled planned objectives but also surpassed expectations. 57% of exhibitors to BIEMH 2014 were foreign companies.
In relation to organised visits, the foreign sale representatives’ programme has taken centre stage. In particular, groups of purchasers have attended the BIEMH 2014 – mostly managers, company owners and purchasing directors – from 24 countries, including representatives from companies and associations from Argentina, China, the US, France, Morocco, Mexico, Russia and Turkey among others.
This programme has seen the light thanks to a co-ordinated effort made by the SPRI Group Companies network, the Basque Business Development Agency and Bilbao Exhibition Centre’s own representatives in co-operation with the Spanish Chambers of Commerce abroad.
New Sectors
For the first time this year, BIEMH has allocated an area dedicated to two sectors: additive manufacturing and composites. These areas were used to showcase for the first time the offer, experience, most competitive and highly developed products by companies and technology centres. The exhibition area has also included a conference room attended by 750 people who were interested in learning more about these sectors.
A Milestone
The President of the Basque Government, Iñigo Urkullu, opened the 28th BIEMH, describing this event as a “milestone” and declaring “GDP, consumption, foreign trade and export indicators looked positive; moreover BIEMH will also show that growth is translated into employment. The future of the machine tool (industry) is linked to innovation. Innovation is the strategic key for the Basque machine tool (industry) to maintain the prestige earned in Europe and worldwide. The Basque machine tool (industry) represents quality and know-how”.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Chief Councillor of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, Jose Luis Bilbao, the Chairman of Bilbao Exhibition Centre and Minister for Economic Development and Competitiveness of the Basque Government, Arantza Tapia, the Mayors of Barakaldo and Bilbao, Alfonso Garcia and Ibon Areso respectively, Directors of professional associations, AFM and AIMHE, Antxon Lopez Usoz and Antonio Postigo, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Bilbao, Juan Angel Corres and the CEO of BEC, Xabier Basañez, among others.
Renove Plan
Many events and important news announcements have taken place during the BIEMH for the machine-tool sector. One of them was delivered by the Deputy Minister of Industry of the Basque Government, Juan Ignacio Garcia de Motiloa, announcing the successful outcome of the Machinery Renovation Plan 2014 which secured a follow-up investment of 107 million Euros with a contribution of 9.5 million Euros from the Basque Government, managed by SPRI.
The press conference where this success was announced was attended by the CEO of SPRI, Alex Arriola, the Chairman of the Association of Machine-Tool Manufacturers (AFM), Antxon Lopez, as the main sector involved in the programme and the CEO of BEC, Xabier Basañez.
New Chairman for AIMHE
Another major announcement during BIEMH was related to the Association of the Sector Importers (AIMHE) which held its annual AGM to renew the Association Board of Directors. With representation from most of the 30 associated companies, the renewal of the Board of Directors was conducted according to the Articles of Association and Jorge Garcia of FEGEMU was appointed new Chairman by majority vote. Through this appointment, two of the AIMHE main engines from the onset, Antonio Postigo of Maquinser and Xabier Aranbarri of Delteco, pass the torch to a new Board, which will now include: Eduard Farran of Emuge Franken as Vice-Chairman, Eduardo Matesanz of DTC Tecnología, as Secretary and Antonio Jover of Daunert Máquinas-Herramienta, as Treasurer.
National Design Award
As in previous years, BIEMH hosted the 11th National Award for Design and Innovation in Machine-Tool and Manufacturing Technology. The award winners were Ona Electroerosión and Zayer in Machine-Tool and Components categories, respectively.
The award ceremony was attended by the Councillor of Economy of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, Imanol Pradales, the Chairman of the Manufacturing Engineering Society, Fernando Romero, the CEO of AFM Xabier Ortueta, and the CEO of Bilbao Exhibition Centre, Xabier Basañez.
Two companies also received a special mention: Gurutzpe for the first “lathe with motorised disk” in the machine-tool category; and Fagor Automation for “CNC 8060” in the accessory components and tools section.
In addition, the venue also hosted the “Award for the Best End-of-Degree Project by SIF 2013″. One of them was also awarded with a special mention from AFM to the best end-of-degree project related to the machine-tool sector.
Elgoibar, Homage to M-T
To mark the 100 anniversary of the transformation of Elgoibar (Gipuzkoa) industry into the Machine-Tool industry, the Mayor of Elgoibar, Alfredo Etxeberria Murua, presented the book “A Brief History of the Machine-Tool Industry in Elgoibar”, which aims to convey the need for continuous transformation as a guarantee to progress.
Professional Prospects
Over 6,000 students of Vocational Training and the Machine-Tool Institute (IMH) visited BIEMH with their teachers to learn about the national and international offer of special machines exhibited in the event. In a single space, they discovered all the highlights regarding products from European and international markets in addition to acquiring first-hand knowledge of product operation and transactions carried out at the BIEMH.
Institutional Visits
Different institutional visits took place throughout the duration of the BIEMH. To name but a few, we can highlight the visit from the Ministry of Economy, ICEX, the Basque Government, The Provincial Councils of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Araba, Bilbao Chamber of Commerce, the Basque Development Agency (SPRI), etc.
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