Exhibition News

Updated on 26 May 2009 

Enjoy some pictures of the 2009 show!

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There were 184,519 visits to INTERMAT 2009, a third of which were made by industry professionals from outside France. The exhibition was an opportunity to find out about the new machines and equipment being shown by the 1,470 exhibitors, 67% of whom were from overseas. The stands covered 210,000 m2 of exhibition space.

Alain Bohrer, vice-chairman of the construction sector of CISMA, Association of equipment manufacturers for construction infrastructure, steel and handling equipment industries: “More orders were placed than in 2006”

The first two days of INTERMAT were very quiet, but numbers increased over the rest of the week. Contractors are always very interested in major exhibitions where they can find out about new developments and innovations being unveiled by manufacturers in the sector. This was the case with INTERMAT - as well as BAUMA. Clients also appreciate the opportunity to meet their suppliers in a festive atmosphere. Businesses are experiencing something of a slowdown, with a drop in activity of between 2% and 15%. The equipment market, on the other hand, is seeing a fall of up to 60%. After four or five years of very strong growth with equipment fleets being completely renewed, it looks as though investments were being used as a balancing variable. Companies have had to restore their cash flow and are experiencing financing difficulties. That said, all participants have reported an increase in orders for this year compared with the previous INTERMAT exhibition. Some of the manufacturers might have put together special offers with trade-ins or financing deals. I heard talk of a possible increase in works projects for local authorities towards the end of the year. But I don't see the equipment market picking up again until 2010.

Alain Rosaz, chairman of SEIMAT - Association of international civil engineering, mining, construction and hoisting equipment industries: "It was an INTERMAT for reflection" 

INTERMAT 2009 was a good exhibition. Admittedly, numbers were lower, but the contractors did come (with fewer delegations), and they brought their decision-makers with them. INTERMAT 2006 was very festive. For INTERMAT 2009, the atmosphere was more reflective. It was also an opportunity for us to meet our sales forces, and to see them meeting their clients.
The market situation is not clear-cut. Sales have fallen dramatically, but after-sales services have been less affected - which proves that the machines are actually being used. VAT is very quickly being paid back to local authorities, and this could help finance their projects as identified by the FNTP (France’s national federation of public works). But there are still delays, particularly with large earthmoving projects. We're expecting 2009 to be a difficult year, and a number of major projects have still not got off the ground. So even if there is a pick-up in technical developments at the end of the year, optimistically, I don't see a real recovery getting underway until the first half of 2010. Otherwise, we’re looking at the second half of 2010... or even the beginning of 2011. The equipment hire sector might be where we see the first signs of a recovery.

Maryvonne Lanoë, Exhibition Manager for INTERMAT: “A beacon on a very rough sea”

INTERMAT 2009 kept its promise, providing an increase of 6% in exhibition area. And we had a few pleasant surprises. The visitors came, despite the market being very affected. Contractors came to meet their suppliers, to see innovations being unveiled, and also to do business. The exhibition took place at a time when issues relating to sustainable development are changing the way they work, and they are going to find themselves having to rely on new generations of site equipment. They were also there to prepare for the economic recovery - a recovery that everybody is waiting for.
INTERMAT 2009 served as a beacon on a sea that is particularly rough at the moment.
I would like to thank all the exhibitors who took part in INTERMAT 2009. I know that some of them had to make difficult choices. They say they are pleased to have taken part in this event during a difficult period.

Order the official INTERMAT 2009 catalogue

Order the official INTERMAT 2009 catalogue straight away for €55 incl. VAT (shipping included).

• Please send your request with a cheque made out to INTERMAT to the following address:  INTERMAT, 70 avenue du Général de Gaulle, 92058 PARIS LA DEFENSE CEDEX, FRANCE
• Or by e-mail to intermat@intermat.fr. You will be asked to provide proof of the bank transfer.
  We will send the catalogue to you within 10 days of receiving your order.
   

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Photos D.R. / MATERIELS ET CHANTIERS / Jean Michel Meigne / MJM Audiovisuel Conseil