The latest addition to the automotive sector of fairs for Messe Frankfurt, Automotive Engineering Show (AES) ended on a productive note, with several brands collaborating and closing deals on the show floor. Attracting decision makers from OEMs, auto component manufacturers and machine builders from 29 – 31 May at the Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre, Chinchwad, Pune, the trade fair saw 3,076 trade visitors over its three-day run. Over 100 brands chose this platform to showcase their latest innovations and manufacturing solutions to the Indian automobile sector.

Commencing the show’s inauguration ceremony, Shri R R Jadhav, Commissioner – Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation exclaimed that a show like Automotive Engineering Show targeting cost challenges faced by the industry was the need of the hour. Glad that the show was being organised in PCMC, Pune, one of the biggest automotive hubs in the nation, he further stated: “With the large pool of a talented workforce and customer base, India is already on its way to becoming the world’s biggest automotive hub. By bringing forward new innovations and facilitating interaction between manufacturers and OEMs, the Automotive Engineering Show serves as an important platform in taking this sector to the next stage.” 

 

Mr Raj Manek, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd, added: “The automotive sector is the key driver of any growing economy. Combining our expertise in organising automotive and automation sector fairs world-wide, we hope to transform this remarkable show into a world-class platform in the coming years. Together, with Automotive Engineering Show and ACMA Automechanika New Delhi we envision to provide the Indian automotive sector access to more advanced solutions and make way for international partnerships and collaborations.”

Mr Derrick Ong, Manager, SICK Product Center Asia Pte. Ltd. and his associate Mr Omkar Deshmane, Engineer – Key Account, SICK India Pvt Ltd, were happy with the way the show was organised.

When asked about their feedback, he said: “India is moving into a solutions and application based approach towards solving manufacturing problems. It is imperative to bring forward these solutions to the manufacturers and OEMs. Being a focused platform, the Automotive Engineering Show provides companies like us a channel to reach decision makers. We got a very positive response from visitors at the show and generated quality leads. We see ourselves closing deals in the coming months. Moreover, the comfort level with the organisers and the location has really ensured a meaningful experience.”

Business-generating potential drives 35% of exhibitors to confirm participation for the Chennai edition in 2015



Being a part of the Automotive Engineering Show since its inception, Mr Vikas Gorde, Business Head, Accurate Engineering Co. Pvt. Ltd remarked: “Our association with the Automotive Engineering Show goes long back as we have participated in almost all of its editions. This is an excellent platform as it directly connects us with our potential customers. Our participation this year landed us three big deals and we have received a contract worth 10 times what we paid for participating at the show. We are also assured about the safety of our products as the organisers provide adequate security and cleanliness. We will most certainly be back for the show next year.”

Exhibitor and authorized dealer for leading auto products, JCB Techno Tools, was also highly pleased with the outcome of the event. Mr Burhan Shakir, Techno Tools shared: “We had a fantastic experience at the Automotive Engineering Show. Our main focus of participating at the show was brand building and creating awareness among potential customers. However, we ended up closing six deals. We also met a lot of decision makers from big companies and managed to develop good contacts through the show.”

Spread across 3,000 sqm of exhibition space, one could see pioneering technologies and products on display. Mr Richard Cole, Manager – ODEC (Pune), Product Creation & Delivery, Jaguar Land Rover said, “The location of the Automotive Engineering Show in Pune makes it much easier for automobile companies like ours to visit the fair and interact with professionals from the engineering services industries. The diverse selection of exhibitors here gives scope to more discussion with exhibitors for an overall understanding of the automotive engineering processes.”

Panasonic’s virtually indestructible Toughbook, the world’s smallest, lightest, and most affordable contact/non-contact portable measurement system – The FARO® Edge ScanArm ES, SICK’s unique deTec4 Core safety light curtain, Water transfer printing process showcased by Autofina and the award-winning ECOPHOTOx-CR – Waste Coolant Recovery & Reuse System by Praj Industries grabbed attention and were some of the key highlights of the fair.

Mr Atulya Nair, Asst. Manager – Plant Engineering, Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturers who visited the fair said: “We were looking for new manufacturing processes to make the factory more productive and what we have seen at the Automotive Engineering Show has given us a deep insight into what the industry has to offer. The trade fair has helped me bridge the gap in my research to improve processes and meet with the concerned companies and review the products instantaneously.”

New product launches by 3C Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Bettinelli Automation, Steepgraph Systems Pvt Ltd, HumiSeal, Micromeasures Metrology Pvt Ltd and Axxon also attracted both media and visitor attention. “We encourage our employees to explore the unknown and in the process, create value for the company, The Automotive Engineering Show was one such important forum for our engineers to understand and review the latest technologies available in the market” said Mr Aditya N Mishra, Officer – Engineering, Bajaj Auto Ltd.



Mr Prasad Deshpande, Head – Business Development, Automation Business, Cybernetik Technologies Pvt Ltd also feels that Automotive Engineering Show is an ideal platform to develop contacts and grow business. He stated: “50% of our business turnover comes from the Automotive Engineering Show which is why we are keen to participate year after year. This show allows us to connect with OEMs and our target clientele who we cannot meet every day and demonstrate our products. We have already signed the contract for the next show and are looking forward to the 2015 edition in Chennai.”

Agreeing that the show allows one-on-one interaction with the companies, Mr Binod Shukla, Head of Process Engineering, Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd stated: “This is the second time that I am visiting the Automotive Engineering Show and it has proved as a healthy platform to communicate directly with the manufacturers of process engineering products and services. We can take into consideration the look-and-feel of the product as well as question and counter-question the manufacturers to reach a final decision.”

Show appreciated for creating a technology-focused learning environment



One of the main focuses of the organisers was to provide a rich trade show experience to exhibitors and visitors alike. To meet this objective, the Automotive Engineering Show collaborated with experts from Voith, Asia Automation, RMM Consulting, SapParts, Accurate Gauging, Quarta to host a Learning Centre and Metrology Centre during the three days of the fair. Together, this ‘Technology Zone’ gave an exhaustive insight on the maintenance of plant and machinery with inline inspection of the production line as well as automation focused towards the automotive industry.

One of the speakers at the seminar, Mr Anil Parasharami, Ex General Manager, Tata Motors, said: “The Automotive Engineering Show is an excellent platform where you can network with experts from various fields and exchange new ideas. I had a very good experience at the seminar. The audience was very responsive.” Platforms like these help in triggering new concepts and ideas that can take the industry to the next level.

Participants unanimously agreed that low-cost automation to improve productivity and operational excellence was the need of the hour and the sessions coupled with real life case studies provided a good insight as to how one can implement these practices in their organisation.

Ms Geeta V Karanjkar, Senior Project Manager, Bosch who was present on all three days of the fair remarked: “The Indian market is moving towards hybrid cars and battery operated technologies. The subject of automation in the automotive industry was rightly taken up at the Automotive Engineering Show seminar as the industry is moving towards automated processes. Some of the sessions were really interesting. As an industry professional, it helped me learn small things which can improve productivity and lower costs. I hope to see more direct strategies and solutions being put forward in future editions.”

To achieve the ambitious target of becoming a USD 40 billion industry by 2015-16, it is imperative that the Indian auto-component industry comes together and puts forth cutting-edge manufacturing solutions for the sector. The next edition of the Automotive Engineering Show with its focus on ‘Operational Excellence’ is scheduled to be held from 7 – 9 July, 2015 in Chennai. For further information about the show, please visit www.aes-show.com.