Bauma – a word with an almost magnetic appeal, even for those who are only remotely involved with the subject of construction. Bauma is the name of the world’s largest trade fair for the construction, building materials and mining machinery industries. Every three years, more than half a million people from more than 200 countries make the trip to the Bauma trade fair in Munich. It truly is a mega event, organized by Messe München and VDMA, the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association.
Scheduled from April 8 to 14, 2019, the upcoming Bauma will be particularly interesting for Canadian exhibitors and visitors. As the partner country for Bauma 2019, Canada is the guest of honour and will therefore be the focus of attention for visitors, journalists, exhibitors and representatives from politics and business at numerous events and special shows throughout the duration of the trade fair. For Canadian exhibitors and visitors, this is a unique opportunity to get involved and make new customer contacts.
Why Canada? The country is the seventh largest market for construction equipment in the world. Together, the construction industry, with an output of CAD 153bn (USD 115.6bn), and the mining sector, with an output of CAD 173bn (USD 130bn), account for 15 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product. CETA, the free trade agreement recently signed by the EU and Canada, will give new impetus to bilateral trade.
One of the major benefits of the trade agreement is the almost complete removal of tariffs on both sides, which enables almost unrestricted access to European markets for Canadian companies.
Franz-Josef Paus, chairman of the VDMA Construction – Equipment and Plant Engineering, explains: “We are looking forward to our Canadian colleagues, customers and partners. Those who don’t know Bauma are missing out. The partner country initiative gives us all a great opportunity to get to know each other better and to interlink our industries even more closely”.
Klaus Dittrich, chairman of the board of management of Messe München, is convinced: “By choosing Canada, we have not only selected a very stable, but also attractive and dynamic sales market. I am sure that additional business opportunities will open up for our exhibitors here.”
Exhibitors in particular are the focus of the press and trade visitors, and can present their innovations and products to the public. A unique opportunity, but one which will make the journey across the Atlantic to Bauma in Munich worth it. The global construction and mining industries are currently booming, with sales of construction machinery already at a record level and expected to grow by around 20 per cent this year.
As the innovation cycle of the manufacturers is oriented towards Bauma, the fair is the place to be, as all leading companies will be present to show their latest solutions for the dynamically growing market.
There will be several events at the trade fair, including a two day “Network and Conference Event” and “Canada Day”, with lectures from politics and business.
The Canadian joint stand and the Canada Lounge provide the opportunity to network with international business partners. The Canadian exhibitors, more than 40 in total, will also receive political support with high-ranking representatives already having announced their intention to visit.
Sebastian Popp, deputy managing director at VDMA Construction – Equipment and Plant Engineering and responsible for the organization of the Canadian participation, is confident:
“We are sure that we can put on an incomparable event for all visitors from Canada and hope that many experts decide to come.”
