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| 15th International Trade Fair for Used Machinery and Equipment There is good news again from business: the world's largest trade fair for used machinery and equipment is bucking the trend of the looming recession. More exhibitors have registered for the 15th RESALE than had registered at the same time last year. RESALE 2009 will take place in Karlsruhe from 22 to 24 April 2009. Yet again, more than 500 exhibitors and over 10, 000 visitors are expected to attend. "There is a good chance that the next RESALE will be one of those to benefit from the crisis in the financial markets, " emphasises Jens Nagel, Managing Director of the Federation of the German Export Trade (BDEx) in Berlin. "Cheaper investment alternatives will become even more important against the background of global economic weakness." He adds that new investments are scrutinised very closely in uncertain times and that used machines from Germany have proven to be extremely welcome during these phases. Moreover, BDEx sees the environmental aspects taking on ever greater importance. This will be reflected in a growing number of companies searching for energy-efficient used machines with a high degree of environmental sustainability. In terms of regional demand, Jens Nagel expects high demand from Eastern Europe – and from beyond the Urals. "Russia, Central Asia and the newer EU accession countries Romania and Bulgaria will also be among the regions where demand is strong, " he forecasts. Outside Europe, BDEx sees demand primarily in India and South-East Asia. In recent years, RESALE has taken great strides in developing its status as the national and international focal point for the used machinery sector. "Top quality goes hand in hand with good prices, " says Nagel. Demand for used machine tools was extraordinarily good both domestically and internationally over the past two years reports the Association of German Wholesale Dealers in Machinery and Tools (FDM) in Bonn. "Our member companies really were working flat out, " explains Kurt Radermacher, Managing Director of the FDM. "In the face of such a large number of enquiries, they even had problems acquiring sufficient numbers of good machines." However, in recent months the situation, particularly in the domestic market, has cooled off. Nevertheless, there is still an enormous need for new and used machine tools. "So the priority remains the same – actively finding buyers especially those from abroad, " says Radermacher setting out the challenge. The upcoming RESALE 2009 is the perfect opportunity. "The FDM and its member companies will again be fully represented at the event, " concludes the association's Managing Director. "We are pulling out all the stops to ensure that we can exhibit an even wider range of machines at RESALE – especially in the areas of plastics processing and wood working machinery." Further supporting associations are also looking forward to RESALE with keen anticipation. The European Association of Machine Tool Merchants (EAMTM), with its headquarters in the Belgian capital Brussels, is another important partner of the trade fair that will be represented by a large number of exhibitors. The EAMTM makes a crucial contribution to the international make-up of the exhibitors. Through participating in Karlsruhe, the association and its new Dutch President Jan-Reint Voortman hope to achieve the same level of business as in previous years. Members of the EAMTM still have fond memories of the last edition of the fair in April 2008. "Visitor quality was very good, " they agreed. "A lot of deals were sealed at the event and the wheels set in motion for many more." Exhibitors at RESALE are aware of both the risks and opportunities presented by the world-wide economic slowdown. "We can sense the uncertainty among customers but they are continuing to invest although with a certain degree of caution, " reports Walter Bahr, Managing Director of A+B Werkzeuge und Maschinen from Ahaus in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. "Some used machines are better investments than new equipment, " he observes. The company has noticed increased demand for used mechanical press brakes, plate shears and sheet metal bending machines. "As in recent years, the international European market and especially Eastern European countries are an important destination for used machine tools, " explains Bahr. "Companies in Russia and some North African countries are also seeking out good quality, functioning used machines in greater numbers." Because RESALE now enjoys such a high degree of recognition around the world, A+B is expecting to conclude a number of deals at the trade fair. "Currently, the largest group of exhibiting companies will again be offering metal working machines, " reports RESALE organiser Florian Hess. "They are followed by motive power engineering and mechanical handling, recycling technology and commercial vehicles, " continues the Managing Director of Hess GmbH, which is based in Weingarten/Baden. Machinery and equipment will be on show for every area of industry. The open-air site is already well-booked – suppliers from the construction machinery sector are ensuring brisk demand, manufacturers and dealers from the agricultural machinery sector are also discussing a joint participation with the organisers. The exhibitor Volvo Construction Equipment Europe in Munich hopes to strengthen its contacts with customers from outside the European Union at RESALE 2009. "After a drop in the number of enquiries during July and August, there is now a clear pick-up in the used machinery business, " analyses Hermann Hundeling, Remarketing Manager Europe Central at Volvo Construction Equipment Europe. "We are receiving enquiries from the North and West coasts of Africa, from Iraq and Iran, " he explains. "These are mostly for wheel loaders in the 18-30 tonne category and chain dredgers in the 25-50 tonne category." For the first time, the American Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) will operate a joint stand with U.S. dealers in used machinery. The majority of exhibitors, however, are still European. A number of exhibitors have already registered from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Austria, Spain and Belgium. France is traditionally strongly represented (2008: 36 exhibitors) as are Italy and the Netherlands. 16 registrations have already been received from Switzerland, which is again expected to provide approx. 30 exhibiting companies. The Swiss exhibitor Mikron Machining Technology from Agno is already attending for the fourth time. It is a leading international supplier of transfer systems. The company has come to know RESALE as an "extremely lively trade fair". "We will be exhibiting a transfer machine in Karlsruhe, " explains Carmine Ruotolo. Ruotolo is Manager of Mikron Respeed Systems, a division of Mikron Machining Technology, which is responsible for the marketing of reconditioned machines. The transfer machine to be exhibited at RESALE can be used to process parts for a variety of industries using an extraordinary range of operations. "For example, these can be components for motors, hydraulic or pneumatic valves and connectors." The RESALE exhibit has been reconditioned and brought up to the latest technological standards thanks to the installation of new components. The Swiss exhibitor is active in a very special segment and develops individual solutions according to the needs of its customers. "These can be new or used solutions or integrated packages using both new and used components, " says Carmine Ruotolo. write your comments about the article :: © 2009 Exhibition News :: home page |