GIFA 2023 LIVE

Ulf Scheuchl, MBA Managing Director, R. Scheuchl Gmbh, Ortenburg, Germany

R. Scheuchl GmbH is a medium-sized family business from the Lower Bavarian district of Passau. Ulf Scheuchl describes the core competencies: "We develop, plan and implement customer-specific solutions in the areas of foundry technology, process engineering and energy technology. GIFA is therefore the ideal platform for us. We have been an exhibitor for 25 years." As a special machine builder, the process leading up to an order is highly individual, and close cooperation and coordination with the customer is necessary to successfully complete orders. The Managing Director explains, "At the show, we activate potential new international customer contacts that lead to future orders. Our excellent price-performance ratio often enables us to win over our initial contacts." In the process of customer acquisition and retention, Ulf Scheuchl perceives changes according to Corona and sees the market in flux.

Exhibitor at GIFA.

Knut Nilsson, Area Sales Manager, DISAB – TELLA AB, Vallentuna, Sweden

Knut Nilsson works as a sales employee and is very satisfied with the feedback from visitors at the booth. He explains: "This is our first time at GIFA and we were optimistic. Our expectations were exceeded. By halfway through the fair, we had received 100 concrete enquiries. If we generate only two orders from that, the trade fair costs have already been compensated." He particularly praises the high quality of the visitors: "The discussions take place exclusively with decision-makers with budgetary authority." DISAB is a major manufacturer of high-performance vacuum systems for a wide range of industrial applications. The systems are mostly used like hoovers and are used in industries such as steel, energy or foundry.

Exhibitor at GIFA.

Janine Schaaf, Assistance To The Management and Kirsten Baston, Application Technology and Distribution, Eltropuls Anlagenbau GmbH, Baesweiler, Germany

ELTROPULS, a family business based in North-Rhine-Westphalia, has been an exhibitor at THERMPROCESS for many decades. Kirsten Baston describes the core competences: "We are specialists in wear and corrosion protection and ensure that machines and materials can be used for longer in many areas such as mechanical engineering, toolmaking and the food industry. Our processes are environmentally friendly." Ms. Schaaf reflects on the expectations for the fair stand: "Due to the pandemic-related break, our expectations were low. However, it has been so busy so far that we haven't had time to walk around." As a special promotion, there are waffles with the company logo at the stand. Ms. Schaaf is pleased: "This is a first-class door opener."

Exhibitor at THERMPROCESS.

Gökhan Gülenc, Technical Coordinator, BORAN-Steel Casting, Ankara, Turkey

Mr. Gülenc has European companies in his focus. He explains: "Europe is an important market and that is why NEWCAST is so important for us. We have a clear goal: We want to increase exports. That also means winning new customers." In addition to sales targets, the manager sees the trade fair appearance as a strong overarching statement. He states: "Our presence in Düsseldorf is image-enhancing. The stand represents our brand and our business partners and suppliers notice us very well. Our presence at NEWCAST is a symbol that we will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the future."

Exhibitor at NEWCAST.

Hannes Erger, Member of the Management and Martin Scheidtmann, International Trade Show Manager, Vesuvius GmbH, Borken, Germany

Foseco, the foundry division of the Vesuvius Group, has been a regular at GIFA for many decades. Originally founded in Pittsburgh, USA in 1916, the group has developed rapidly. The expansion in Germany began in 1963 and the company had its first trade show booth at GIFA in 1966. Mr. Erger says: "We are looking forward to the coming days because business is going well." Mr. Scheidtmann adds: "We are presenting three focus topics this year: Sustainability, Innovative Technologies and Partnership." The company, which specializes among other things in high-quality auxiliaries for the foundry industry and refractory materials, will present 30 impressive exhibits from real customer orders at its booth. Both agree: It's worth stopping by!

Exhibitor at GIFA.

Sunny Gao, General Sales Manager, SINABUDDY MINIRAL CO., LTD, Zhengzhou, China

For 15 years, SINABUDDY has been focusing on the production and supply of materials for abrasive grains, blasting media, refractory materials and ceramic materials.

This is the Chinese company's first time at GIFA. Sunny Gao explains, "We are very excited. We know Germany from other events, but were not at the GIFA, which is changing now." After the pandemic problems of the last few years, the goal is to intensify customer contacts and identify new market segments. She adds: "We value personal care of our customer relationships. That's why GIFA is a must-attend event from now on."

Exhibitor at GIFA.

Claudio Apollonio, Business Developer, GIDA MAGNETIC SYSTEMS srl, Pampiano (BS), Italy

GIDA MAGNETIC SYTEMS is an Italian-based family business that operates internationally. The main customers of the supplier of magnet systems come from the steel industry and are used in the areas of lifting, cranes, in recycling or for separating materials. For GIDA the METEC is the most important trade fair. Claudio Apollonio explains: "We are looking forward to the coming days because we have a lot to do. We are in a niche market, but demand is resilient to the crisis." Referring to the reasons, he summarises: "Magnets create safe, comfortable, clean and environmentally friendly working conditions as their use optimises processes. Good working conditions are important in times of labour shortages to attract qualified employees."

Exhibitor at METEC.

Ramona Averina, Sales Area Managerin and Guillermo Gónzalez, Business Develop Manager, Galdakao, Spain

Founded in Spain 86 years ago, GHI Smart Furnaces is active internationally and has just opened a new plant in Mexico. Guillermo Gónzalez explains: "We are presenting our aluminium recycling solutions here and specially our range of furnaces. Although the economy tends to stagnate, our business is consistently growing. In fact, from an economic perspective, last year was one of our best." The strategy for THERMPROZESS is summarised by Area Sales Manager, Ramona Averina as follows: "We want to further advance our European business. Our stand at the fair is a contact point for potential customers. We are optimistic that we will have a high frequency of meeting over the next few days. Our customers continue to focus on efficient resource management for a green footprint. Recycling and decarbonize is therefore a topical issue."

Exhibitor at THERMPROCESS.

Kai Vöhl, Director of Global Sales & Marketing, NCCM Roll Technology, River Falls, USA

Kai Vöhl, who comes from Germany, is pleased to see many interested people at the NCCM Roll Technology stand. He explains: "It's good to talk face to face with people about business again. We estimate that 90 percent of our stand visitors are international. Yesterday we had non-stop conversations." For him, METEC, which normally takes place every four years, is a must-attend event. He adds: "After the pandemic years, little has changed. It feels like coming home." The company manufactures non-woven-rolls in its home country, the USA. Applications are in the automotive and steel industries. Other service companies can be found in Spain and Shanghai, and sales offices in many other countries.

Exhibitor at METEC.

Léonie Coencas and Eddie Coencas, CEO, Alphamétal Recyclage, Ozoir la Ferrière, France

Alphamétal is a company for renovating cast-iron radiators, old building materials, wrought iron, railings and antiques. Due to time constraints, the trade fair visit of the two French visitors consists of only one appointment. Eddie Coencas, who has been working in the metal industry all his life, explains the situation: "We come especially from France to meet a Turkish supplier. It's quicker for us to go to Düsseldorf instead of driving to Turkey." Ms. Coencas adds: "The fair is very impressive, but we don't get distracted. Our appointment is so important because we have a new contact person. We want to meet him and plan future business."

Jacques Nel, Managing Director and Otto Van Griethuysen, Martin and Robson Group, South Africa

The colleagues come from South Africa and use nearly the entire time of the fair for their business, because of the long journey and the wide range of international exhibitors. They are specialists for magnetite solutions and work in the sales department. Mr. Nel explains their current situation: "The market in South Africa has become more difficult, that means we have new challenges. The good thing is that the fast-changing market offers new potential for our worldwide acting company." Otto Van Griethuysen justifies the visit to GMTN as follows: "Nowhere else do we meet such an international audience in such a short time period as here in Düsseldorf. We have many appointments, but also time for spontaneity and inspiration. For us, GIFA is the most interesting fair, but we also pay attention to the other three leading trade fairs."

Christian Wuttke, HDO, Germany

Christian Wuttke specialises in tool manufacturing and has just arrived at NEWCAST. He is thrilled by the large number of exhibitors and tells us: "My colleagues used to attend many trade fairs. Now we concentrate on the trade fair quartet with especially GIFA and NEWCAST and on another trade fair in Nürnberg, as we reduce our trade fair time to the important events." The HDO company manufactures products for various industries such as automotive, so-called white goods, which include refrigerators, for example, but also the sanitary industry. For his business, visiting the fair is essential: "Personal exchange was important and will remain so in the future."

Ion Quintana, Edertek, Spain

Edertek is a Spanish foundry company. Ion Quintana is at the fair with colleagues. However, they have parted ways. He explains: "I am responsible for new technologies. My colleagues are looking for new customers or meet with suppliers." The Spanish manager states that especially NEWCAST and GIFA offer a broad overview of the market. He concretises his intention: "The fair is perfect for my market and competition research. I can look specifically for products and production processes in one place and know that it's up to standard and that I'm not missing anything." With this knowledge, Ion Quintana wants to anticipate future trends and strengthen Edertek's competitiveness.

Al Mohammed, Sabic, Riad, Saudi-Arabia

SABIC is one of the world's largest petrochemical manufacturers and is a listed company based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is Al Mohammed's first time at GIFA and he is excited about the large number of exhibitors. He says: "My aim is to get as much information as possible about the current state of technology. My field is steel production. Last year I was at another fair, but in comparison I find Düsseldorf better." He describes the availability of raw materials as the biggest current challenge. Besides the professional issues and visiting also METEC, THERMPROCESS, NEWCAST, Al Mohammed is also looking forward to visiting Düsseldorf's city centre and some of the sights.

Sandeep Poddar, Director, Multi-Serve-Rolls (P) LTD. Kolkata, India

It is the second time for Sandeep Poddar for taking part at the Bright World of Metals in Düsseldorf. He enjoys his visit and states: "It is a great possibility to meet important business contacts. For me Turkey and China are the most important markets and I have good business appointments at the fair." Multi-Serve-Rolls is an Indian Manufacturer of magnetic sheet, iron rolls & hospital equipment and was founded in 1986. Asked about the atmosphere at the fair he says: "It's like a meeting of good friends and acquaintances with open conversations."

Zolboo Myagmarjav, Takasawa Sangyo Inc., Japan

The company Takasawa Sangyo Inc. is active in the construction and steel industries, among others. The manager, who travelled from Japan, works in the sales department and meets with some customers. He says: "The focus is on companies from Brazil and Taiwan. I don't have many appointments beyond my compulsory programme. It is important for me to be spontaneous and flexible. I want to look around and get into conversation. There are so many exhibitors who inspire me." Zolboo Myagmarjav is at GIFA for the first time. Particularly impressive is the size of the Bright World of Metals for him.

Igor Biritxinaga Sarasola, Fagor Ederlan S.Coop, Eskoriatza, Spain

The company Fagor Ederlan is a leading global supplier of chassis and driveline components for the automotive sector. Igor Biritxinaga Sarasola is responsible for the purchase of production equipment. In a good mood, he gives an overview of his trade fair programme: "This is my first time here and I find my stay very exciting. On the one hand, the fair itself, but also things to do in Düsseldorf. My main concern is appointments with current and potential suppliers. There is a wide range of suppliers and I still want to take time to make new contacts." The Spaniard has travelled with many colleagues and is looking forward to going to the pub in the evening in the old town.