A total of 2700 managers, engineers and buyers visited the highly successful Fastener Fair Italy 2018, which took place at the Mico Milano Congressi on 26 and 27 September. This was the second of these events to take place in Italy.
210 suppliers of fastener and fixing products and systems took part in the show, filling the venue’s South Hall. While 22% of exhibitors were foreign companies representing 13 countries, participation by Italian firms increased compared to the 2016 show, confirming that Fastener Fair Italy is now established as the reference point for the market in this country. Among foreign nations strongly represented were Germany, Turkey, the UK, and Spain, while companies from Slovenia, Denmark, India, France and the USA also took part.
Leading industry associations supported the event and welcomed delegations on their stands: the Italian Union of Fastener Manufacturers U.P.I.V.E.B., the Italian Union of Fastener Distributors U.D.I.B. and the Italian Association of Metal Finishing A.I.F.M.
The mix of visitors to the show reflected the diversity of markets served by the fastener and fixing industry. The majority of visitors were either wholesalers (24%) or distributors (42%), all playing a vital role in the supply chain to resellers and end-users. Around 20% were end-users themselves. Fastener and fixings manufacturers accounted for 34% of those attending.
A significant number of visitors – 28% – were foreign, representing 62 countries.
The visitor quality was also noteworthy, with managing directors, partners and board members accounting for 38% of those attending the show. Heads of departments and senior managers totalled 17% of attendees, while a further 11% were engineers and technicians. Almost 18% of visitors represented Procurement / purchasing departments.
The most strongly represented industry sectors were the automotive industry, construction, mechanical engineering, hardware / do-it yourself retailing, electrical products / domestic appliances, aerospace, agricultural / off highway machinery and furniture manufacturing.
More stand space in 2020
Dates have now been set for the next Fastener Fair Italy. The third show in the series will take place on 11 and 12 November 2020. The venue will be Fiera Milano City and there has already been very strong demand for stand space. Following the success of the show, some 50 companies have confirmed their participation in Fastener Fair Italy 2020, with around 1,900 m² already booked. In response, this next exhibition will occupy a large Pavilion 3 to provide additional stand space.
