The SMM (Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology) is the leading international maritime trade fair. We had a busy schedule – three booths, a press conference and an evening event.
SMM 2016
The SMM is the world’s leading maritime trade fair with more than 2,200 exhibitors from all over the world. Roughly 50,000 industry visitors and 93,000 square meters of exhibition space show the impact it has. The 27th SMM, under the honorary patronage of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, stood its ground – despite the difficult situation of the industry. Many deals were signed, exhibitors as well as visitors were satisfied and a general sense of anticipation was noticeable.
As a newbie to the marine field, I was overwhelmed by the dimensions of this exhibition. The variety of products and branches that were displayed seemed endless! The genuine and dapper flair sticked out. Suit and ties, elegant booths and high quality conversations. You really got the feeling that the best of the best was shown here.
Our booths
The deck equipment booth in hall A1 captivated the visitors due to its back-lit large format image, the displayed PK 18500 M crane, the model ship with all our products set in place and the touch display, where you could test our new marine sales app. PALFINGER boats and davits booth in hall B5 impressed once again with its rescue boat bar, the displayed davit system and the video wall showing our Marine image film. The Harding booth in hall B5 had an amazing eye catcher – a 1:6 scale model of the totally enclosed davit and the lifeboat. It makes people curious, they stop, ask questions about the range and touch the products, open hatches and see all the details inside the models.
Press conference
Due to the biggest acquisition in PALFINGER history, namely of the Norwegian company Harding, a press conference was held. Both Marine Managing Directors (Karl Oberreiter and Styrk Bekkenes) and our CEO, Herbert Ortner, joined it. Several journalists from the main marine magazines showed up to listen to our new developments.
Herbert Ortner talked about the importance of the Business Area Marine as part of the PALFINGER Group, about synergy effects and about strategic goals. Karl Oberreiter explained why and how PALFINGER MARINE can act as a game changer in the marine business and Styrk Bekkenes illuminated the strength of our new sales and service setup as well as our future orientation.
Sales Event
Around 60 people, dealers and employees, joined for a delicious dinner at the Panthera Rodizio. The restaurant, famous for its Brazilian food, was located in the Portuguese Quarter right at the Hamburg harbour. There was a lively exchange on the subjects of the SMM, the current economy and future developments.
We can look back on a successful trade show with promising discussions and conversations. The SMM 2018 will take place from 4 to 7 September 2018 and – we will be there.
