Welcoming address given on Apr 24, 2002
Ernst H. Berndl, President of interpack 2002
The show's round-figure anniversary is still some way off but 44 interpack years already add up to an impressive run in this day and age. interpack made its start in 1958 and I still find it remarkable that a small-scale niche event has grown into a huge international show with over 2,500 exhibitors. Today, interpack welcomes exhibitors and visitors from almost every country around the world. And this year, we have reached up a new record: interpack 2002 is the biggest ever!
The global exhibit range of packaging machinery, packaging material and confectionery machinery covers 150,000 square meters net in all 17 halls of the Dseldorf Trade Fair Center.
At international level, opinions as to the economic future in leading industrial nations differ widely. We approach it however positively But developments of the last few days and above all today news can have an effect to any positive trend and crippling the dynamic 幨an which at all times were part of our small to medium-sized industry.
The demands of the metal union and the media trade union are dangerous for high-priced Germany with its specialists, particularly because the political decision-makers have not yet changed positively the underlying conditions for small to medium-sized companies.
We anticipate that the persons responsible will act reasonably. Germany is certainly not yet out of the economical slowdown. We all hope that demand in the USA will continue to rise, with no further setbacks through either political developments or, most of all, oil price rises. Up until now, exports have always been the drive of Germany's packaging machine industry.
Internationality is the hallmark of interpack. Over 50% of expected visitors will be coming to Dseldorf from abroad. Our over 2,500 exhibitors are all anticipating big customer interest. As I mentioned earlier, we are looking to stabilization in world markets. interpack could act as a pacesetter for many projects put on hold in the wake of September 11, 2001, and so I am confident that this interpack will also do much to boost demand in our sector.
Clearly, interesting days lie ahead. May we all look forward to a highly successful interpack 2002 ?the No. 1 for systems, processes and solutions.