SPAIN - The 26th International Machine-Tool Exhibition drew 35,000 visitors from 54 countries to the Bilbao Exhibition Centre last week. Organisers hailed its success as evidence the economic crisis in the sector is turning around.
BEC CEO, José Miguel Corres, said the event’s success “defied the widespread crisis".
The venue claimed the attendance figures, which included 4,000 exhibitor staff, were a reward for the commercial terms offered by the organisers.
Attendee figures break down into visitors coming from: production (21%), management (20%), department heads (17.6%) and heads of purchasing (16%).
BIEMH 2010 attracted major names from the automotive, domestic appliance, aeronautics, wind power and railway industries and received support at the highest level, with Crown Prince Felipe of Spain chairing the opening ceremony, accompanied by Basque Premier Patxi López.
The economic impact of BIEMH 2010 on the surrounding area is estimated at over €25m (US$30m).
Koldo Arandia, chairman of AFM (the Association of Machine Tool Manufacturers) said “an upturn is becoming evident" and noted the Basque government’s ‘Renove’ plan announced at the trade fair had given a boost to commercial transactions throughout the event.
