The organisers, exhibitors and visitors at „drinktec“ in Munich were very satisfied. The beverage industry demonstrated that it is optimistic about the future. Almost every second stand also focussed on packaging and filling technology, packaging materials and packaging design. Very much on the rise: PET technologies for brewery products and liquid food.
About „the best drinktec of all time“, said Volker Kronseder, Chairman of the „drinktec“ Advisory Board and Chairman of the VDMA's „Beverage machines and dairy technology“, looking back on the trade fair, which was once again the centre of attraction for all those interested in dairy technology from 11 to 15 September 2017. Beverage production and the associated industries. Messe München counted 76,000 visitors from 170 countries during the five days of the fair. They met 1,749 exhibitors from 80 countries. All of the above figures represent record figures.
During the trade fair, which is organised every four years, optimistic visitors met exhibitors who were equally optimistic about the future. The Investment climate in the market is good. In the exhibitor and visitor surveys, over 60 per cent from both groups predicted that the market would develop even better in the future. Every second visitor plans to increase investments for their company within a year, by an average of 23.7 per cent. Process optimisation, Automation and the expected developments in „Industry 4.0“ were the key topics for which solutions were sought and offered at the trade fair stands. No wonder, given that in a survey conducted in the run-up to the trade fair, „Increasing competitive/cost pressure“ was ranked as the number one biggest business challenge with 43.7 per cent.
Wednesday and Thursday are the busiest days for visitors
„Wednesday and Thursday are always our strongest visitor days,“ explains Johannes Manger, PR Officer at Messe München, explaining visitor behaviour, „Monday was rather subdued. However, there were still 2,000 more visitors on this day than four years ago.“ Manger explains the fact that the first day of the trade fair was not yet crowded with visitors by the way visitors planned their journeys. They often plan their stay for the later days of the trade fair and also want to benefit from Munich's attractive tourist attractions - not least because they often plan to visit the Oktoberfest, which takes place at the same time.
No „drinktec“ without packaging technology
No „drinktec“ without Packaging, Packaging technology and Packaging designAlmost every second stand offered products from these areas. At the Packaging machines several exhibitors demonstrated the advantages of several interlinked machines. Palletisers, conveyors, packing and filling machines as well as labelling and direct printing systems were combined to form complete functional blocks. This was well received. Half of the visitors stated that they had come to „drinktec“ because of the filling and packaging technology. 97 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied with the range of products presented in this area. A further 22 per cent of trade fair customers were interested in containers and packaging - and were also very satisfied with this range.
For packaging and containers, „Industry 4.0“ technologies are already in high demand. This is because the trend is towards increasingly customised and packaged products whose cost-efficient production requires a high degree of intelligent Automation required. When asked which consumer trends influenced their investments, the registered visitors surveyed in the run-up to the trade fair put this issue in third place with 20.1 per cent. 4th place was taken by „PET packaging“, an aspect that is becoming increasingly important at „drinktec“.
Great interest in PET technologies
A separate hall, the „PETpoint“ with 11,000 square metres of exhibition space, PET technologies for brewery products and „Liquid Food“. This time, however, the „PETnology Europe“ conference was organised for the first time. At this event organised by „tecPET GmbH“, more than 30 speakers shed light on PET-related topics. From recycling, packaging design and barrier technologies to material savings and other sustainability topics, everything was covered. The new offer was also well received by the visitors. When asked, ten per cent of trade fair visitors confirmed that they were aware of the conference title and were interested in it.
„We are delighted with the internationality and expertise of the visitors,“ Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, was quoted as saying in Messe München's trade fair report. 67 per cent of visitors came from abroad, reported Johannes Manger, Project PR Officer at Messe München, in an interview with „packaging journal“. A trend that the organisers had already identified at previous „drinktec“ trade fairs was also confirmed: Visitors usually stay for several days. Christoph Klenk, CEO of Krones AG, emphasised the special feature of the 66-year-old industry show: „drinktec“ is a „working trade fair“. Visitors take their time to visit the fair. On average, each guest spends 2.2 days at the fair, says Johannes Manger. However, the proportion of one-day visitors was only 42 per cent; everyone else stayed much longer than the average figure would suggest.
Special shows attracted additional visitors to „drinktec“
The special shows integrated into the trade fair also contributed to the success of „drinktec“. The premiere of the wine technology trade fair „SIMEI“ under the „drinktec“ umbrella proved to be a direct hit. According to visitor statistics, 17,480 visitors were primarily interested in the wine, sparkling wine and spirits sector. Another premiere was the „PRO FachHandel“. The leading trade fair for the entire German beverage and convenience trade was also held for the first time as part of „drinktec“. The „oils + fats“ in Hall 10.1 was once again well attended. 10,700 visitors - 2,000 more than four years ago - came to the trade fair for this show with 49 exhibitors.
