CHICAGO - Productronica 2005 lived up to its reputation as the world’s largest trade show for electronics production by attracting more attendees than expected, including more international visitors than ever before. From November 15-18, 2005, more than 44,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors gathered in Munich to discuss and present the entire spectrum of electronics production.
For the first time in the trade show’s 30-year history, 38% of the exhibiting companies and 42% of the attendees came from outside Germany, reinforcing Productronica’s international character. The number of U.S. exhibitors increased by nearly 19% to 96 and the USA Pavilion was a resounding success. This development was recognized by the visit of a U.S. trade delegation led by the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, William R. Timken Jr.
As it continues to lead the globalization of electronics production, Productronica 2005 was rated as excellent or good by more than 90% of the attendees and 83% of the exhibitors. “Productronica provides us an excellent opportunity to get sales leads and meet our business partners,” said returning exhibitor Alan Bonzer, sales manager of SIKAMA (Santa Barbara, CA), maker of solder reflow equipment. “We’re back after missing the two last Productronica shows because we want to meet more customers in our marketplace. This is the place to do it.”
 Productronica 2006 showcased lead-free processing from companies like DEK in Hall A4. |
Numerous exhibitors were able to conclude business transactions at the trade show, which reflects an upswing within the electronics industry. As the July 2006 lead-free deadline approaches, many companies are looking into “green” manufacturing products and processes that were widely presented at the show. The German component of connector companies such as Tyco Electronics, Fisher Connectors GmbH, and Gore exhibited at Productronica.
Exhibitors were also satisfied with the decision-making authority of the visitors. “One of the best parts of the show for us is to meet the customers we’re currently doing business with, but at a much more senior level-such as managing directors we wouldn’t typically meet in our day-to-day dealings,” said first-time U.S. exhibitor Kenneth Rakusin, president of Gordon Brush (Commerce, CA), a manufacturer of industrial brushes.
More than 127 individual events covering almost every topic of interest in the field of electronic production were organized throughout the trade show. The premiere of MicroNanoWorld was well received as an industry platform for microtechnical production and the MicroSystems Technology User Forum led to lively discussions among industry experts. The combination of numerous industry forums, live demonstrations, and partnerships with major professional organizations as well as international trade media offered participants the opportunity to take advantage of this global hub in the industry.
The next Productronica will take place November 13-16, 2007, at the New Munich Trade Fair Center in Munich. In the meantime, Munich International Trade Fairs will organize several regional trade shows to cater to the growing Asian market, such as Componex/electronicIndia from January 23-25, 2006, in New Delhi, India, and electronica & ProductronicaChina 2006, which will be held in conjunction with LASER. World of Photonics China from March 21-23, 2006, in Shanghai, China.
