SMM India - CLOSING REPORT

SMM India successfully established
Some 3,000 delegates and visitors at the second SMM India
 
shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology
international trade fair india with conference
in Mumbai on 7 to 9 April 2011
 
 
With some 3,000 delegates and visitors from all parts of the world, SMM India, shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology international trade fair, closed after the three scheduled days of the exhibition and accompanying conference, held in Mumbai from 7 to 9 April. This second event established SMM India as one of the most important maritime trade fairs on the subcontinent. The state-of-the-art products and new developments presented there met with a great deal of interest from the trade visitors, among whom there was a delegation of thirteen representatives of German industry. “We are delighted at this positive development,” said Peter Bergleiter, Project Director SMM, in his final summary. “We have succeeded in taking the leading brands in the maritime industry to India. We had constructive talks at the show, and will continue to develop and expand the project accordingly.”
SMM India is the second overseas offshoot of the world’s premier shipbuilding event – the shipbuilding, machinery & marine technology international trade fair hamburg (Germany), which is held by Hamburg Messe und Congress (HMC) every two years, alternating with the overseas offshoots in Istanbul (Turkey) and India.
 
SMM India was organised together with HMC’s Indian partner Inter Ads Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC). It was accompanied by a two-day international conference, discussing the major current issues of the global shipbuilding industry. Rajan Sharma, Director, Inter Ads Exhibitions, also gave a very positive summary – “SMM India has made substantial developments compared with the previous event. It showcased a wide range of national and international exhibitors, presenting innovations which help the industry and Indian shipbuilding to make great strides forward. I would like to express my thanks to the outstanding conference speakers, who gave valuable analyses and insights ways, showing ways to promote decisive growth in the shipbuilding industry. The quality of visitors this year was outstanding.”
 
More than 100 exhibitors from all parts of the world were present on the two days of the SMM India maritime trade fair, showcasing their latest technology and product developments. Some 50% of exhibitors were from the Indian shipbuilding and marine equipment industry. The others are based mainly in Europe and neighbouring Asian countries. Thus SMM India reflects the current high technological level of this international industry worldwide. Exhibitors included eleven participants at the official German Pavilion, organised by HMC on behalf of the German Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).
 
SMM India with accompanying conference started with a keynote by K. Mohandas, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. It opened avenues for constructive dialogue on the various facets of the sector in India before the backdrop of a growing economy. Being bullish, Mohandas presented the opportunity for companies looking to invest in the sector.
An introduction to the general subject of the conference, that is Indian Shipbuilding and Repairs for the 21st Century, was given by APVN Sarma, Programme Committee Chairman of SMM India 2011 and Former Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.
A range of prominent personalities from India’s shipbuilding and shipping industry; S. Hajara, Chairman and MD, The Shipping Corporation of India; Dr. Satish B. Agnihotri, DG of Shipping and Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to Government of India; explained to the international audience the various facets of India’s ambitions in the maritime sector. Dr. Agnihotri added that “The Indian economy has been able to withstand the global economic slow-down and is confident of progress in the maritime sector.  The Government is looking at crafting policies that will help further this process towards success. The maritime agenda 2020 is poised to escalate the growth rate of the sector to four times the current ratio”.
 
The exhibitors at the second SMM India were very satisfied, praising the high quality of the trade visitors. Some of their feedback is quoted below:
 
Igor Medvedev, Director, Maharaja Environment Technologies Company Pvt Ltd was delighted to be at SMM and said, “SMM has been an extremely beneficial platform to showcase business ventures. Globally SMM is one of the best exhibitions that we have participated in. It has given us some immensely lucrative business prospects and we are looking forward to being a part of it in 2013.”
 
Patrick Mau, Director, Gedore said, “We are very happy to be a part of this prestigious exhibition. Though SMM is not a very big platform compared to some of the exhibitions that take place globally, it has excellent quality of participants and very high profile visitors as well. It has benefited us to be here as we have got some important business leads. We will certainly participate in this conclave next time as well.”
 
Gero Steigerwald, Roediger Vacuum: “It feels great to be associated with such a good partner. We have received tremendous onsite support. Overall we see this as a wonderful opportunity to showcase our environmental friendly water waste management technologies to the Indian audience. The market here presents huge opportunities for environmental friendly products like ours. We are looking forward toward associating with SMM India 2013.”
 
Representatives from Exor India Pvt Limited say, “The exhibition is a good platform to showcase our marine automated parts. We have received a few leads and we are taking them forward.”
 
Garware Wall Ropes share similar sentiments, “We participated in 2009 and now again in 2011. We are satisfied with the leads received. We will review our leads in 2012 and will plan 2013 accordingly.”
 
Ronald Hoppmann, General Manager, Wiska, is content with the exposure his company has received, “The event is even better that its predecessor in India two years ago. We have seen a 40% increase in leads over the previous year. We have received footprints from reputed shipyard owners as well as other personnel who have shown interest in our products. India is showing immense opportunity in this sector and we want to capitalize on this to the maximum, and shall return in 2013.”
 
A representative from Bharti Shipyard reports, “The exhibition has been satisfying. We will be attending again in 2013.”
 

Source: SMM India