SMOPYC success

The organisers of the recent 332 Smopyc event in Spain claim that the show was highly successful, beating targets initially set. This 15th SMOPYC international equipment show attracted 1,253 exhibitors from 34 countries and close to 89,000 visitors. The event was a major launch venue in Europe for the new Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB compliant machines now coming to market in Europe and North America.

The exhibition was successful, according to the organisers, attracting a significant increase in foreign visitors, boosting its international profile for the construction sector. The analysis of the visitor data said that the 88,931 attendees came from 50 countries in all, as well as attracting all the major construction related associations in Spain as well as Europe. Given the current economic situation, the latest SMOPYC provided a strong indication as to the improving health of the construction sector as the final figures exceeded expectations. Bearing in mind that SMOPYC 2008 held the previous records for this event, the 2011 figures not only reflect the current situation but also suggest the continuing market recovery. The total of 88,931 attendees included 10,079 from outside Spain and represents an increase of 9.8% with respect to the previous show held in 2008. The last SMOPYC event was itself a record breaker, having grown by 7.8% in attendance over the show held in 2005.

SMOPYC 2011 was divided by sector in nine large halls and occupied a total surface area of over 300,000m2, including exhibition, demonstration and services areas. The 1,253 exhibitors came from 34 countries, with 502 from Spain. The remainder came from abroad, with 87% from Europe (1,097), 8.15% from the Americas (102), 3.5% from Asia (44) and 0.755% from Oceania (10). Spanish manufacturers, such as 2188 Ausa, were well represented but leading Eruopean, Japanese and North American firms such as 176 Case, 178 Caterpillar, 233 Hitachi, 2300 Komatsu, 718 Liebherr, 5895 New Holland and 1222 Terex were also represented either directly or through their local dealers.

Participation by sector was similar to that of the previous edition, with noteworthy figures being the decrease in the industrial vehicles and transport sector and an increase in the components and spare parts sector. The distribution by sector included: 27.19% from earthmoving and roads; 15.92% from aggregates and concrete; 21.54% from elevation and maintenance; 6.91% from industrial vehicles and transport; 16.84% from auxiliary equipment for the construction sector; 11.6% from components, spares, accessories and services.

Although there was constant activity throughout the duration of the fair, the visit of 150 foreign delegations and trade missions from 60 countries meant that the middle days of the event attracted the greatest number of visitors. This also coincided with the holding of different technical conferences. Generating new business and entering the international market now seems to be a vital strategy for the survival of companies. Key developments for the show were the brokerage events organised by the Zaragoza Trade Fair Center, the 3455 Spanish Manufacturers Association of Construction and Mining Equipment (Anmopyc) and the Employer's Confederation of Aragón (CREA), which belongs to the Enterprise Europe Network. These organisations drew up a very busy work schedule, replete with business contacts, that brought together representatives from the different international markets, including companies from Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kuwait, the Lebanon, Morocco, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, the Dominican Republic, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Turkey, the Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. On this occasion, the by now traditional trade missions organised by the Zaragoza Trade Fair focused on four countries with great import potential in the infrastructure sector: Angola, Morocco, Algeria and Poland. Also of note was the increased presence of Turkish firms in particular, which holds a pivotal place in the market between Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Russia. Turkish manufacturers such as 230 Hidromek introduced new machines that meet European and North American emissions regulations, as well as units suitable for other sectors.

A large number of meetings, assemblies, forums and technical seminars were held during the five days of the fair. The first day of the fair saw the official presentation of GREMIOS, the Spanish Federation of Construction Guilds, promoted by associations such as 3456 ADRP, 3458 AEDED, AEDT, 3459 AETAC, ANEIP and 3462 ARPHO.

The opening ceremony of SMOPYC 2011 also saw the presentation of CONFALQ, the Spanish Confederation of Equipment Rental, founded by 3463 ANAPAT, 3465 ASEAMAC and 3466 FANAGRUMAC. During the fair, both of these sectoral organisations carried out a number of actions, presentations, conferences, professional seminars, meetings and assemblies of the different entities belonging to them. Other important sectoral meetings to take place at SMOPYC included the executive meeting of 3399 CECE, the 2440 Committee for European Construction Equipment Diamant Building, the Plenary of the Machinery Commission of SEOPAN, the Spanish Association of Construction Companies, and the Assembly of Anmopyc.

The SMOPYC Technological Innovation Awards act as a stimulus for innovation amongst companies and avail of the event's prestige to promote the latest developments in the sector. At SMOPYC 2011, awards were presented in three categories. In the category "New Developments in Machinery", the Gold award went to 2571 Comoplesa-Lebrero, for its insulated asphalt tanker, an example of R&D&i aimed at energy saving and the optimisation of material use. The Silver award went to Mopicsa/2959 Soilmec for the BELI hydraulic screen wall machine with four high-capacity rotaries, a completely original design in the creation of cut-off walls, giving greater productivity and performance in addition to being more eco-friendly.

The Bronze award in this category was presented to 3468 SEBHSA, for its Robot pump for the projection of concrete. This can perform tasks that no other machine can carry out, with completely optimised machine transfer movements and positioning. In the category, "Innovation in Equipment, Components and Auxiliary Means", the Gold award was won by 2573 Inelas Poliuretanos, for its Mobile Screen Cleaner Device for dry screening, a great innovation in the design of the polyurethane screen, due to the integration of a device that prevents blockages during operation. The Silver award in this category went to 2576 Maquiobras for its UNE 180401:2010 compliant loading and unloading floor platform, a new and unique platform with a system of interlocking railings whose activation affords enhanced safety.

Finally, the Bronze award was won by 2577 Metalogenia, for its hammerless Ripper R tooth system, an innovative design offering increased ripping penetration, greater efficiency and safety in changes, fewer breakdowns and easier maintenance. In the Category "Service Applicable to the Building Activity", special mention went to 2578 ICC Conveyor, for the ALMEXPAD system for the control of conveyer belt vulcanisation presses, which offers a variety of benefits, including total management of the application by Internet and GPS. Looking ahead to 2014, -the event will take place from April 1st to 5th.