Formnext 2018 sees 25% visitor growth, sets new records
November 20, 2018
Formnext 2018 was attended by 26,919 individuals (Courtesy Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH)
Formnext 2018, held in Frankfurt, Germany, November 13–16, 2018, saw a 25% increase in visitors throughout the four-day event compared to the previous year’s figures. According to the exhibition organisers, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the exhibition was attended by a record 26,919 individuals.
A total of 632 exhibitors from thirty-two countries showcased their solutions for Additive Manufacturing during the show, covering the full process chain including a wide range of production machines alongside software, post-processing, materials development, materials testing, consultancy services, part qualification solutions, data management and more.
Drawing 49% of its audience from outside Germany, the organisers stated that Formnext attracted specialists and managers from many of the leading companies, including representatives from OEMs and suppliers in the sectors of aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, medical technology, dental technology, mechanical engineering, construction and architecture.
Sascha F Wenzler, Vice President for Formnext at event organiser Mesago Messe Frankfurt, stated, “Formnext has undergone exceptional development. With its unparalleled level of innovation, the event provided a vibrant trade fair experience for everyone involved. In the context of an extremely dynamic sector, Formnext provides a road-map for the evolution of cutting-edge manufacturing industries.”
A number of business deals and machine sales were concluded during the exhibition, which provides newer companies with an opportunity to meet important investment and business partners, as well as enabling long established companies to form new connections in the industry. In addition to networking on the exhibition floor and throughout the programme of supporting events, 850 industry experts also attended the TCT conference @ Formnext for in-depth technical and business discussions on the global AM industry.
Also held during Formnext 2018 was the first transatlantic ‘AM Standards Forum’, organised in conjunction with the U.S. Commercial Service. Here, experts from Europe and the United States discussed international developments in production standards.
Formnext 2019 will be held from November 19–22, 2019, in the new location of Messe Frankfurt Halls 11 and 12. In addition, the USA will for the first time be showcased as a ‘guest country’ during the event. “The USA is one of the world’s leading suppliers and users of Additive Manufacturing technology – a fact that we took into consideration when choosing our guest country,” added Wenzler.
