by Bianka Boock

The variety does it

LASYS impresses with its combination of diverse offer, product information and attractive framework programme

Image:  189 exhibitors from 23 nations presented their products for the use of lasers in industrial production. Image: Messe Stuttgart

Stuttgart. In its sixth edition, which ended today, LASYS underlines its strong emphasis on the users. The positive mood in the market for laser material processing was very apparent on all three days in Hall 4 at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre. 5,800 visitors obtained information from 189 exhibitors from 23 nations on the use of lasers in industrial production. "New exhibitors, for example Panasonic Electric Works Europe, GF Machining Solutions and EMAG Automation, confirm what established exhibitors have long known: With its clear focus on laser systems, laser-specific machine subsystems and beam sources, LASYS is a unique platform," explains Gunnar Mey, Head of Industrial Solutions at Messe Stuttgart.

Gerhard Hein, Head of the Laser and Laser Systems Working Group and Manager of the Economics and Statistics Division of the Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems in the VDMA, summarises the event as follows: "The exhibitors of this year's LASYS were delighted to report that many visitors came from nearly all target sectors. The response to the invitations was remarkably good. This reflects the good reputation that LASYS has meanwhile achieved. Furthermore, the exhibitors were able to welcome both purchasers of complete system solutions and integrators of various expansion stages at their stands. They also reported various discussions with production planners from the automobile industry, relating to current projects or future procurement requirements. Finally, we noted that the use of lasers in electromobility was discussed intensively and with positive expectations for the future. Speaking of the future, the current robust growth has recently been affected only by the insufficient availability of specialist personnel. Accordingly, for the second time we carried out a young talent campaign with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research at LASYS, in which we again succeeded in impressing school-leavers with comprehensible exhibits and inspiring a fascination for laser technology and photonics. The hands-on workshops, where electrical components could be tried out, met with a very positive response in the young target group."

Satisfaction on the part of exhibitors

Panasonic celebrated a successful première at LASYS. Christoph Stahr, General Manager, Head of Sales & Product Management Laser Marking & Processing, Panasonic Electric Works Europe AG, summarises: "Previously we have rather presented ourselves at large trade fairs, and this year we decided to take part for the first time as an exhibitor at the LASYS specialist trade fair. We were overwhelmed by the positive response and conducted so many discussions with end customers that our expectations were exceeded. Furthermore, another positive finding was that the visitors came to the hall with concrete tasks and discussed approaches to solutions with various exhibitors."

Also GF Machining Solutions GmbH presented itself this year for the first time as an exhibitor at LASYS. Managing Director Christian Jung says: "In our view, it was a good trade fair with interesting contacts. Our expectations were met. We’ll be back next year." The new names in the list of exhibitors also included EMAG Automation GmbH. The summary of the event by Sales Manager Nikolas Meyer: "We were pleased with the numerous contacts to potential customers and other interested persons, and during the trade fair we conducted good discussions with a specialist public on all aspects of laser welding."

Dagmar Smrcinová, Operating and Marketing Director of the Czech exhibitor 4ISP s.r.o., adds: "For us, as one of the worldwide largest laser trade fairs, LASYS is a must-attend event, and again this year it fully met our expectations. At the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, we had excellent opportunities to strengthen our market position and to present ourselves in 2018, among other things for the first time as a representative of Foshan Beyond Laser Technology. We adapt their products to European specifications, market them and also provide support." Dr. Rüdiger Brockmann, Director Product Industry Management & Marketing, TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH, summarises the event as follows: "LASYS allows us to demonstrate the easy integration of our components – from the beam source to the sensors. We have contact with experts from the sector and can exchange ideas and opinions on future themes such as electromobility and Industry 4.0."

Impressive offer diversity and attractive framework programme

The right focus of LASYS with its comprehensive portfolio on all aspects of laser material processing is confirmed by the high percentage of visitors, namely over three quarters, from industry. Visitors to LASYS come from 39 nations (24% international visitors) – beside Germany, primarily from Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France and Great Britain. Over three quarters had concrete intentions to invest or purchase, one third of the purchasers planned to invest over 200,000 €. Overall, visitors to LASYS agree: There is an optimum combination of offer diversity, product information and attractive framework programme, and they want to come again.

Knowledge transfer at LASYS

In addition to the exhibitors' offer, the framework programme provided a comprehensive transfer of know-how for the specialist visitors on all three trade fair days. This included the Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum, which took place already for the tenth time. Prof. Dr. Thomas Graf, Director of Institute of Laser Tools (IFSW) at the University of Stuttgart, the organiser of the congress, says: "We are delighted with the course of the tenth Stuttgart Laser Technology Forum, and for the first time we registered over 300 participants. The visitors praise above all the combination of visionary plenary sessions and specialist presentations. Furthermore, it was again apparent that holding the trade fair and the congress in parallel has a beneficial effect on both." In addition, leading experts from market research and industry gave presentations at the Stuttgart Laser Marketplace. The strongly practically oriented forum "Lasers in Action" directly in the trade fair hall and several specialist workshops and seminars rounded off the framework programme.

Date in 2020

The next LASYS will be held at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre from 16 to 18 June 2020. Before then, however, on 29 November 2018 "LASYS meets Central Europe" will take place in Budapest. With this event format, Messe Stuttgart, together with its industrial partners, will strengthen the theme of laser material processing on the international level. According to the German Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Trade (DUIHK) there were 530 installed systems in use in Hungary in 2015. Ilona Balogh, Deputy Director of the DUIHK, says: "Laser technology is very important, especially for automobile suppliers for bodywork construction, but also for metal-working and the production of spare parts. 'LASYS meets …' in Budapest therefore offers huge market potential and is even now attracting great interest."

About LASYS:
As the only international trade fair, LASYS clearly focuses on system solutions in laser material processing. Since the start of the trade fair in 2008, it has successfully established itself as a user platform for the latest laser systems, machines and processes. LASYS addresses all industries and materials, in particular decision-makers from the international industry. The focus is on all tried-and-tested, but also innovative, manufacturing processes, applications and potential uses of laser in industrial manufacturing. The VDMA is a professional and conceptual supporter of LASYS.
Further information is available online at www.lasys-fair.com.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lasys_TradeFair
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Lasys_TradeFair

Editorial Contacts:
Landesmesse Stuttgart GmbH
Cornelia Bonow
Fon: +49 711 18560-2136
Fax: +49 711 18560-2460
E-Mail: cornelia.Bonow@messe-stuttgart.de

good news! GmbH
Bianka Boock
Fon: +49 451 88199-21
Fax: +49 451 88199-29
E-Mail: bianka@goodnews.de

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