Countdown to show time

Globalisation is driving growth in the intralogistics industry, which benefits more than almost any other sector from the increasing integration of world trade. An important international showcase for the industry, CeMAT takes place every three years at the Exhibition Grounds in Hannover. For 2011, the event runs from 2nd to 6th May and the focus of attention will be on sustainable and innovative products and integrated systems solutions for materials handling and logistics.

About 1100 exhibitors are expected at CeMAT 2011 on approximately 80,000m2 of display area.Wolfgang Pech, senior vice president at Deutsche Messe, comments: "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."

Exhibits 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.

An international showcase, almost half the exhibitors at CeMAT come from outside Germany, while the figure for visitors is 35%.

The tagline for this year's event 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.

Pech continues: "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."

Forum One of the highlights of the supporting programme for CeMAT will be the International CeMAT Forum (ICF). Larger than in previous years, the ICF is being organised for the first time by the Federal Logistics Association. Over the five days of the show, experts from all over the world will be discussing sustainable logistics concepts.