CeMAT 2011 (2 – 6 May):
Intralogistics industry banking on CeMAT 2011 to deliver the goods

• Focus on economic, ecological and social sustainability
• Federal Logistics Association is organizing the “International CeMAT Forum”
• More extensive coverage of packaging and port handling systems at next year’s show
• TectoYou initiative for young people makes its debut

The preparations for CeMAT 2011 are already in full swing. For the five days of the show (2 - 6 May 2011) the focus of attention will be on sustainable and innovative products and integrated systems solutions for materials handling and logistics. "The intralogistics industry is banking on CeMAT 2011 to deliver the goods", says Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch, Chairman of the Board of Management at Deutsche Messe AG.

Around 1,100 exhibitors are expected at CeMAT 2011 on approx. 80,000 square metres of display area. Von Fritsch notes: "The industry suffered a sharp drop in sales last year as a result of the economic crisis. Despite this setback we are very optimistic about CeMAT 2011. The global economy is gradually getting back on its feet again - and the logistics and intralogistics industry will be among the first to benefit." The market has reacted very positively to CeMAT 2011 and companies are lining up to exhibit at the show. "The unique global importance of CeMAT is acknowledged throughout the industry, and the hope is that CeMAT will stimulate business growth worldwide."

Economic, ecological and social sustainability

The tagline for CeMAT 2011 is "Sustainability in Intralogistics". The issue of sustainability poses a special challenge for intralogistics, given the continuing rise in energy and raw material costs and the ongoing climate debate. "We don't want people to see 'sustainability' as just a fashionable buzzword, but to focus on what it really means. It's all about maintaining a balance between the claims of the environment, economic success and social responsibility", says Dr. Christoph Beumer, chairman of the CeMAT steering committee and CEO and chairman of the BEUMER engineering group, based in Beckum.

There are three aspects involved here:

• Ecological sustainability is all about climate protection and conservation, achieved through a responsible use of natural resources.
• Economic sustainability calls for a way of doing business that offers a long-term sustainable basis for commercial success and prosperity.
• Social sustainability pursues the goal of maintaining a viable society and a good quality of life by establishing a balance of social forces.

Intralogistics can make a valuable contribution under all three headings. The use of energy-efficient, low-impact products ensures that business can be conducted in a manner that is both economically and ecologically sustainable. And intralogistics contributes to social sustainability principally by improving working conditions in industry.

Hall layout and thematic focus follow well-established pattern

The layout of the exhibits at CeMAT has followed an established and successful pattern in recent years. On the open-air site and in Halls 12, 13, 25, 26 and 27 exhibitors present their innovative products, complete systems and integrated solutions for internal logistics. CeMAT is a truly international showcase. Nearly half the exhibitors come from outside Germany, while the figure for visitors is 35 per cent. Exhibitors use this global platform to unveil their latest products to an international audience.

The range of exhibits at CeMAT comprises complete plant installations, systems and accessories, continuous handling systems, robot logistics, cranes, lifting platforms, access platforms, hoisting gear, logistics management, auto ID systems, software, warehousing systems and equipment, industrial trucks and accessories, port handling equipment, order-picking and packaging systems, loading equipment, telematics, financing and logistics real estate.

The industry has made good use of the crisis period to press ahead with research and development - and CeMAT will reap the benefits of this work. Exhibiting companies will be unveiling many world firsts and innovations, thus reinforcing the reputation of CeMAT as the world's biggest and most important trade fair for intralogistics.

"Efficiency Cluster LogistikRuhr" to present its initial research findings at CeMAT

The network "Efficiency Cluster LogistikRuhr" was the winner of a competition held by the Federal government to find the top-performing cluster in the country. So the largest-ever logistics research project is about to get under way, with 40 million euros of government funding and more than 120 research partners.

The aim of the "Efficiency Cluster" is to give us more individual choice tomorrow in terms of the supply of goods, mobility and production, while using only 75 per cent of today's resources.

The first results of the research work in intralogistics undertaken by the cluster partners will be presented exclusively at CeMAT 2011, where the "Efficiency Cluster LogistikRuhr" and the Fraunhofer Institute for Materials Handling and Logistics (IML) will have a joint stand.

Professor Dr. Michael ten Hompel, the initiator of the cluster and Director of the Fraunhofer IML, elaborates on their plans: "We realize it is a tall order to present the first results of our research work within such a short space of time. But since efficiency is our subject of study, it behoves us to conduct our research with efficiency - so I am confident that we will be able to present the first products of this unique research partnership at CeMAT in May 2011."

BVL organizes the International CeMAT Forum

One of the highlights of the supporting program for CeMAT will be the International CeMAT Forum (ICF). Larger than in previous years, the ICF is being organized for the first time by the Federal Logistics Association (BVL). Over the five days of the show experts from all over the world will be discussing sustainable logistics concepts. Attention will focus primarily on the USA, China, Russia, Brazil and India.

Packaging and port handling systems

Port handling systems were added as a new display category in 2008, and extended coverage is planned for next year. Innovative technologies are going to become a key factor for port operators in their bid to streamline the flow of goods by sea and then distribute them across the surrounding region. This means a greater emphasis on the use of automation in port logistics. The latest trends in this sector will be discussed at the "Port Forum", which Deutsche Messe is organizing in conjunction with the trade journal Schifffahrt und Technik and leading industry associations.

Under the heading "Sea ports and river ports - green logistics for the globalized economy" experts will be considering how "green" port logistics can contribute to the development of sustainable logistics chains. Topics up for discussion will include hinterland transport systems for sea ports, intermodal transport systems, terminal software and innovative goods handling technology.

The special presentation "Auto ID and Packaging Logistics" at CeMAT 2011 highlights the role played by automated identification processes in packaging logistics. Visitors can see how the continuous data stream makes it possible to optimize the flow of goods in terms of traceability, process transparency and costs. They will also get an insight into the practicalities of incorporating this technology into goods shipments, with particular reference to primary packaging, packaging for transport, the assembly and securing of loading units and complete cargoes.

Intralogistics Campus

The Scientific Association for Technical Logistics (WGTL) and engineering federation VDMA are once again the prime movers behind the Intralogistics Campus at CeMAT. This group presentation explores the industry's capacity for innovation through the links between engineering companies and academia. The WGTL will report on the latest research findings in intralogistics in a central forum and through lecture presentations at other locations. Together with the young persons' initiative TectoYou and the Job & Career Market, the Campus provides information about the industry for technically minded youngsters and engineering graduates.

TectoYou at CeMAT

Intralogistics is a high-tech industry that needs skilled personnel trained to very high standards. For the first time at CeMAT the TectoYou initiative will be encouraging school-leavers of both sexes to consider training or studying for a career in engineering.

Parties of schoolchildren can register in advance for a TectoYou guided tour of CeMAT, which lasts the whole day. The trained guides establish direct contact with exhibitors ahead of the show and are a mine of information about the companies participating in the TectoYou program and about their in-show displays and products.

The participating schoolchildren get first-hand information about exhibiting compamies through small presentations or by talking to engineers and trainees. The ethos is professional yet informal, and the tours are an ideal way to introduce young people to innovative cutting-edge technologies.

TectoYou is supported by the engineering federation VDMA. As the largest trade show for this branch of industry, CeMAT is the perfect place to bring technology to life for young people. In this professional setting young people view career opportunities in engineering as an exciting and innovative option for their future.

CeMAT worldwide

In addition to CeMAT in Hannover, the world's most important exhibition platform for intralogistics solutions, Deutsche Messe also organizes a series of spin-off CeMAT trade shows abroad.

From 28 September to 1 October 2010 the first-ever CeMAT RUSSIA is taking place in Moscow. Deutsche Messe expects around 100 exhibitors at the opening show. Many of the industry's top names have already booked stand space, including Jungheinrich, STILL, SSI Schäfer, Knapp, Stöcklin and viastore. Deutsche Messe is staging the Moscow show in partnership with ITE Group Plc. The British exhibition company has branches in eleven countries, and organizes 50 exhibitions and conferences each year in Russia alone.

The next CeMAT ASIA will take place from 25 to 28 October 2010 in Shanghai. Approx. 400 exhibitors are expected to attend the show, which will occupy 25,000 square metres of display space.

This will be followed by CeMAT INDIA, which takes place in Mumbai from 15 to 18 December 2010. With around 130 exhibitors it has already become a firm fixture in the Indian exhibition calendar.

Deutsche Messe is celebrating yet another CeMAT premiere in April 2011, this time in Sao Paulo. The Brazilian city is hosting the first CeMAT SOUTH AMERICA from 4 to 7 April.

While the original CeMAT in Hannover remains unchallenged as the world's leading trade fair of its kind, the offshoots in China, India, Russia and Brazil are very much geared to the needs of their regional markets. The content of these shows is very similar across the portfolio, embracing everything from materials-handling and warehousing technology to packaging and order-picking equipment, materials flow, warehousing systems and workshop equipment, packaging systems, transport technology, systems and software for intralogistics as well as logistics services and outsourcing.

For more information visit www.cemat.de