China is one of the first economies to have recovered from the global economic crisis. According to the International Monetary Fund China's GDP is expected to grow by around ten percent in 2010. Against the background of this encouraging economic scenario Deutsche Messe AG has organized the eleventh CeMAT ASIA, which will see approx. 380 exhibitors presenting technology on a total display area of more than 23,000 square metres. The event showcases innovative technology designed to improve the efficiency of logistics processes. Accordingly, the key display categories are handling equipment such as forklift trucks, cranes and lifting equipment, conveying and warehousing systems, loading equipment, as well as related software and accessories for the entire spectrum of goods and cargo handling.

"During the early stages of planning CeMAT ASIA we were reminded of the increasing importance of China for the intralogistics sector", says Wolfgang Lenarz, Director at Deutsche Messe AG with responsibility for the company's international trade fairs outside Germany. "More and more Asian companies are interested in exhibiting at this leading trade fair. Of course, exhibitors from Europe and the USA also still make their presence felt. Current market conditions have made it essential for SME's to step up their activities on foreign markets, and taking part in trade shows remains the single most efficient marketing tool for companies seeking business on new markets", he adds.

Special presentation in the Automated Guided Vehicles Pavilion

One of the highlights at CeMAT ASIA will be the special presentation "Automated Guided Vehicles Pavilion", which houses driverless transport systems and vehicles. AGV systems which are flexible and scaleable lend themselves to a broad range of applications and are therefore in keen demand on the Chinese market, which is characterized by an exceptionally high degree of automation. AGV systems help to improve the quality and performance of the logistical capacities needed to sustain competitiveness on the global marketplace.

Port operations technology

Port operations technology is one of the major themes addressed at CeMAT ASIA. For port operators, innovative handling technology is an increasingly important factor in the economic viability of operations as it is of crucial importance for optimizing the transfer of goods from ships to inland destinations. Although global container traffic was hit by the worldwide recession, business will revive and this sector is set to produce growth rates again in the long term. Port operators are therefore facing the big issue of how to improve productivity and expand the capacities of existing terminal facilities as well as building new terminals. This challenge puts the spotlight clearly on the technology required for automated logistics and port operations.

China is one of the biggest markets for both suppliers and buyers of intralogistics products. China is, in fact, the biggest supplier nation, but it is also the third largest buyer market after the USA and France. Interestingly, China is the only country to produce growth in turnover in this sector at a time when business in every other country was plummeting.

The trade show will be complemented by a conference program focussed on the needs and interests of the main target groups. As in the past, one of the program highlights will be the "International Conference on ICT Solutions and Products for Materials Handling and Logistics". High-calibre speakers from across the world will be outlining the potential, prospects and trends in intelligent solutions and applications for logistics.

PTC ASIA, after the MDA in Hannover the second biggest trade fair for power transmission and control technology worldwide, will take place at the same time as CeMAT Asia.

For more information visit www.cemat-asia.com and www.ptc-asia.com.