Interplas 2002 defies UK economic downturn

There has been considerable upheaval in the UK plastics and rubber industry since Interplas 1999 with a number of leading processing companies moving their production operations to countries with cheaper overheads and many others struggling for survival. A manufacturing recession as bad as any in living memory has been the principal cause for the industry’s difficulties, while the strength of the British currency has prevented export sales from providing any compensation for the downturn in local business.

Yet three years after Interplas 1999, Interplas 2002 has been a notable success. Attendance at the exhibition measured merely by the number of visitors has been down, but the quality of the visitor has been high. Very high. And, more importantly, many visitors to the NEC in Birmingham over the five days of 30 September - 4 October have been looking to spend money.

The clear commitment by visitors to using Interplas 2002 as a global shop window confirmed pre-show research that there was an increased mood of confidence among UK manufacturing companies and that many plastics processors had positive intentions to invest.

A survey by the UK’s weekly trade newspaper PRW (Plastics & Rubber Weekly) published a few days before the opening of Interplas 2002, showed that exactly half of the 200 processors interviewed who were expecting to attend the exhibition had plans to buy equipment. Six in every ten of them were also planning to look for particular types of material at the show.

The research has been borne out by the level of activity on the stands of the 900 exhibitors at Interplas 2002.

“Visitors coming to Interplas have clearly had money to spend on sourcing new equipment and suppliers,” confirmed show director Justin Tadman. “Reed Exhibitions has worked closely with the industry to ensure the show reflects the needs and requirements of the industry.”

Many of the UK’s PMMDA (Plastics Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association) members have been impressed by the calibre of visitor to their stand and have confirmed they have taken orders at the show. PMMDA president Peter Rippon says there is quiet optimism among the association’s members for the industry’s future.

Similar positive expressions have been forthcoming from companies occupying the GTMA (Gauge and Toolmakers Association) village. There is general satisfaction about the level of enquiries and a number of mould-making businesses are already confirming their attendance at Interplas 2005 with a larger presence than this time.

Many individual exhibitors have also been keen to express their views on the show:

Brian Murray, Rondol Technology: “We have seen a lot of visitors and generated a high level of good quality leads. Over the last 30 years we have been exhibiting at Interplas under various company names, but this is definitely the best Interplas show we have ever had. We have had a lot of direct orders coming out of our participation here and we will definitely be back.”

Chris Siddall, Eastern Plastics Machinery: “This is the ninth time we have exhibited at Interplas, but it is the best show we have had so far. We have been generating 2 to 3 key leads every day of the show. On top of that we were able to sell a Meiki 150 ton machine, a sale worth £100.000.”

Carl Futcher, Negri Bossi: “We have done firm business at the show; we sold a 1000 ton machine to a company that we knew was in the market but had not expected to be placing an order with us.”

Neil Ashton, Powerboss: “The show proved to be a great opportunity to meet many potential new clients. We only have a small stand but we have generated over half a million pounds worth of business during the show.”

Salvatore Monte, Kenrich Petrochemicals Inc.: “It was a little slow to get started but we had some fantastic days, on Thursday we took over thirty leads. We have been able to reach the people that we really want to talk to, individuals that are normally protected from us by the layers in their organisation.”

In summarising the results of the show Justin