One day to go until Logistica 2015. That means the stands of the nearly 300 exhibitors can be adjusted today only. A busy day for trade show exhibitor CEVA Showfreight, editorial team LogistiekProfs took a look.
Working 14 hours a day
CEVA Showfreight is handling the general logistics of Logistica. Construction of the Logistica started last week, in halls 9, 10, 11 and 12, but for CEVA the preparations started about a year and a half ago. "Then there are already two people on the project. They make sure all the machines that have to come from abroad are here on time," says Rob Couwenberg, Supervisor Operations. Shortly before the fair, at the operational stage, that team is considerably expanded. On the exhibition floor, some 10 forklift drivers make sure everything is in place. "These guys work up to 14 hours a day to make sure everything is finished on time," he says.
Before the weekend, the exhibition floor was still relatively empty.
Demand from exhibitors changes
CEVA has years of experience in arranging logistics for exhibitions, but that does not mean this edition is a breeze. "It seems like a well-oiled machine," Couwenberg explains. "But there is a lot involved. The last Logistica trade fair was three years ago. We try to predict a lot based on historical data from the previous fair, but that is actually impossible." This is also noticed by Ruud Schildknegt, director at Van der Kreeft Heftrucks, partner of CEVA Showfreight. "So much has changed in three years that you don't know what the customer wants now. We offer a whole pallet of colours, but we have no idea what colour the exhibitors will choose. That's waiting until the last moment."
Final adjustments
It is an extra challenge for CEVA that the fair starts on Tuesday. "Over the weekend, everything happens at a slow pace. On Monday, exhibitors come to see their stands and often want final adjustments. That all has to happen on that day, not only for logistics but also for cleaning, for example."
Empty car park
The car park at the Jaarbeurs, where the trucks are unloaded, is relatively quiet. That is because the procedure for mounting and dismounting traffic has been tightened up in cooperation with Jaarbeurs and CEVA through a registration system. All trucks that report to P2 are registered. They then have a maximum of 90 minutes to unload and must then leave the car park. "This ensures that exhibitors do not leave their empty trucks and therefore the car park does not get overcrowded," said Rob Couwenberg.
A large screen at the CEVA office shows exactly who all is in the car park. Trucks in the car park have 90 minutes to unload.
Between 10 and 13 November, the Jaarbeurs will be all about Logistica. Not yet registered for the fair and still want to take a look? You can register here!
Editorial LogistiekProfs
