Heinrich Trützschler, Vice Chairman of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and Managing Partner of the Trützschler Group stated: “The trade fair was very successful in general and especially for our company. The interest of Chinese customers in our products was considerably higher compared to ITMA ASIA 2008. Therefore business conducted at the show was also very good. We were delighted that the visitors were clearly more international than last time. Visitors came from various Asian as well as non-Asian countries. Altogether, this ITMA ASIA was one of the most successful fairs in the last years.”

The VDMA survey at which 43 German exhibitors participated showed the following results with regard to visitors: Every third exhibition visitor was a company owner while 52 percent were classified middle management, which makes the quality of visitors generally high. The strongest visitor group was the Chinese one with 30 percent but the visitor share of 70 percent from outside China reveals that the German booths were highly frequented especially from visitors from major Asian countries. On average the German companies estimated that the strongest visitor groups apart of the Chinese came from the following countries: India (9 %), Pakistan (9 %), Japan (5 %), Bangladesh (5 %), Indonesia 5 (5 %), Germany (4 %), Iran (4 %).

According to the VDMA survey, the three most important targets of the German companies at ITMA ASIA were acquisition of new customers, market observation and the launch of new products. Looking at the target achievements reveals that the targets launch of new products, image improvement and closing deals got good to very good marks by German exhibitors. For the objectives acquisition of new customers, only two companies graded good to very good.

Fritz P. Mayer, Chairman of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and Managing Partner of Karl Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik explained: “The very good order situation of the last few months was reflected in the events at the fair. Our exhibition stand attracted a large, international public. We were happy to welcome our visitors who had specific requests, and showed lively interest in our innovations. Particularly our new developments were well received by companies which so far did not belong to our customers. All in all, we showed a presence which emphasized our position as market leader.”

The vast majority of German exhibitors were this time satisfied with the general organisation and the exhibition halls. “The start-up problems of ITMA ASIA belong to the past. This year’s fair in Shanghai was characterised by a professional organisation and accomplishment. A stronger international acceptance and frequency was clearly noticeable”, said Eric Schöller, Member of the Board of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association and Managing Director of the Groz-Beckert Group.

Nearly 70 percent of the German companies stated in the VDMA survey that they envisage to exhibit at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 in Shanghai. One third did not take a final decision yet, but no single company ruled out to participate at the 2012 event categorically. The current market situation in Asia is assessed much more positive than for the coming three years but even up to the end of 2013 the optimists in the sector prevail.

“At present China is experiencing an economic boom, and it seems as if there is almost no need for fresh impetus from exhibition activities. Nevertheless, against the background of a possible downturn in the market, the continuous presence of our enterprise at fairs and exhibitions is an important and vital element for securing our company’s future” summarised Fritz P. Mayer.