INTERMAT 2009, 20-25 April Paris

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Related documents: the ECED Dealers' Conference Agenda and registration form.

The 2009 INTERMAT show will not soon be forgotten. Not only is ECED organising its First Dealers' Conference at the Hall 3 Mezzanine floor on Monday 20 April, but moreover, in these grim economic times, a trade show like INTERMAT is more important than ever for the sector.

As you will undoubtedly know, INTERMAT brings together the major players in the construction materials-production industry. One special feature that makes this event unique is that it is the only one to offer an outside demonstration area of 30,000 sq.m, on which exhibitors' machines perform in a gigantic open-air construction area.

On 20 April ECED will be hosting a symposium that combines both a "classic" ECED meeting with focus on topics of concern for the machinery sector, as well as the opportunity for the dealers to discover new equipment products at the fair.

ECED’s President Dr. José Gameiro is going to take the opportunity at Intermat to consult national and corporate members on their views regarding the state of the sector and its urgent needs. Having established a direct contact with the cabinet of Commissioner Günter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Enterprise, it will prove to be crucial for members – SME’s or large corporations – to air their concerns in order to receive direct help and other support for the sector and to obtain much needed funding (either through cheap loans or national state aid).

Moreover, anticipating on the upcoming review of EU distribution agreement laws and other subjects, among which competition in the sector, End-of-life Vehicles, credit issues etc. the ECED will be showcasing presentations by Paolo Cesarini, Head of Unit, DG Competition of the European Commission; a senior representative from BPLG (BNP Paribas Lease Group); Toby Mack, President and CEO of AED (American Associated Equipment Distributors); David Philips, Managing Director of Off-Highway Research and Gérard Déprez, President of ERA (European Rental Association). The audience will as well be given the opportunity to engage in discussions and will be encouraged to participate in a never seen before interactive session with representatives of the major auction houses, Ritchie Bros. and IronPlanet.

On INTERMAT itself, Maryvonne Lanoë, INTERMAT Exhibition Manager, illustrates the importance of the fair as follows:

"Every three years, the INTERMAT international trade show in Paris brings together key players and manufacturers of equipment and techniques for public works, construction and the materials industry.

Since October, the word "recession" has suddenly appeared in debates on the economy and politics. During these troubled times, INTERMAT 2009, the International Exhibition of Equipment and Techniques for Public Works, Construction and the Materials Industry, is more in tune with current developments than ever before and firmly on course for success!

This year, INTERMAT will send out a clear signal that the sector’s key players are determined to plan ahead for recovery. The support promised by a range of major economic and political players reveals the extent to which this sector - for which the show is a symbol of global and French excellence - represents a key challenge.

In fact, most national stimulus packages in Europe include a “construction” element designed to pull the industry out of recession, based on a number of infrastructure and building projects. In the US, the stimulus package aims to modernise the country’s road and electricity infrastructures. During financial and economic slumps, major public works programmes offer one possible “solution” to help speed up the end of a recession.

Set against this background, INTERMAT 2009, which will be held between 20 and 25 April 2009 at the Parc des Expositions at Paris-Nord Villepinte, offers an ideal venue to exchange information and meet people from around the world, enabling the sector’s players to keep abreast of the latest international technical developments and prepare the ground for future investments. In this regard, visitors will benefit from INTERMAT’s net exhibition surface area of 160,000m² and the opportunity to meet 1,300 exhibitors, 70% of whom are from outside France."