The Logistica trade fair is riding on the positive 'vibe' prevailing in the logistics market. So says Jaarbeurs brand manager Martijn de Weerd. From Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 November, the Jaarbeurs will host Logistica. According to De Weerd, this is exactly the right time. Companies would again invest more in logistics products and systems to seize the opportunities offered by economic growth. "Logistics is obviously a sector that notices it immediately when the economy grows," he says.
Logistica is the ideal time for logisticians to see what is on offer in the logistics field. "Anyone who wants to get ahead in logistics should set aside a day to visit the Logistica," he says.
Jaarbeurs has reserved four halls for Logistica, two of which are now fully booked by exhibitors. This is faster than expected, states De Weerd. "A number of suppliers of products and systems that had been hesitating for a long time about participating in the trade fair are joining in now that they see how many opportunities the market offers. All major forklift brands are represented, including a newcomer like Chinese BYD."
E-commercesets new demands
Notable in exhibitor list is the number of packaging specialists represented at the fair. These include not only suppliers of packaging machines, but also of packaging materials. "We notice - also at other trade fairs - that packaging suppliers are increasingly connecting with the chains in which their customers operate. In logistics, this has everything to do with the rapid developments in e-commerce. Sending parcels to consumers simply makes different demands on packaging than delivering to shops or wholesalers," De Weerd knows.
Logistics real estate pavilion
E-commerce is also one of the reasons why a large logistics real estate pavilion will appear at Logistica. "The demand for distribution centres for e-commerce operations is increasing, but also the whole issue of urban distribution is leading to opportunities and challenges in logistics real estate. This is why we are linking the pavilion to a substantive programme with lectures on these opportunities and challenges," states De Weerd.
Logistica Award
Innovation is also at the forefront of the presentation of the Logistica Award, which this year will take place on the exhibition floor differently from before. "We want to give the public the opportunity to learn more about the innovations nominated for the award. The jury is currently working to narrow down the fine list of submitted innovations to three nominees, which will be announced on 3 September. We will showcase the solutions of those three nominees to the public on the show floor."
A lot of attention for safety
Besides focusing on new technologies and applications, Logistica also calls a lot of attention to improving logistics processes, especially in the field of safety. As the trade association of forklift importers and warehouse fitters, the BMWT offers an extensive programme of lectures on safety. Shippers' organisation EVO will even set up a complete safety square and will give daily workshops in which, apart from techniques and processes, the human factor will also be discussed. A large number of exhibitors will also respond to this theme with their range of safety equipment and systems. De Weerd: "Visitors can get answers to all their questions about safety on the shop floor."
Editorial LogistiekProfs
